A False Idol 0
Via the Las Vegas Sun, Mary McNamara argues against the erection of a craven image. A snippet:
American Stasi 0
Per the EFF, if appears as if the Trump maladministration wants to keep his wannabe secret police as secret as they can. A snippet:
In January, EFF and media organizations including The New York Times and The Washington Post responded to this blatant infringement of the First Amendment by demanding that the FAA lift this flight restriction. Over two months later, we’re still waiting for the FAA to respond to our letter.
The First Amendment guarantees the right to record law enforcement. As we have seen with the extrajudicial killings of George Floyd, Renée Good, and Alex Pretti, capturing law enforcement on camera can drive accountability and raise awareness of police misconduct.
A Tune for the Times 0
Warning: Mild language.
American Stasi 0
Rick Strom points out that “I was just following orders” is a defense that is precedented.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Yet another “responsible gun owner” exposes a portable phallus to a child.
So many guns. So much stupid.
Parks and Wrecks 0
Apparently, the Trump maladministration thinks it hasn’t done enough damage to the National Parks and is planning to do more.
Fatal Attraction, American Stasi Dept. 0
At the Psychology Today website, Guy P. Harrison explores the attraction of fascism. Here’s his list of the characteristics of fascist regimes; I think it will sound familiar.
- Authoritarian style leadership
- Simplistic symbolism and mass rallies
- Extreme, pathological patriotism
- Anger over the loss of an idealized past that never existed
- Exploitation of racist fears and racial divisions
- Overt politicization of law enforcement
- Call for “traditional” hierarchical gender roles at the expense of women’s rights/opportunities
- Military aggression against other countries and territories
- Undermining of elections and democratic values
- Overt corruption
- Restrictions and attacks on the free press
- Heavy use of lying and propaganda
- Editing of history to promote accommodating myths and minimize the real histories of marginalized people
I commend his article to your attention as a worthwhile read in these times in which truth, justice, and the American way are being Trumpled from within.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
A competent copywriter? It can make Donald Trump look coherent.
War and Mongers of War 0
Mary Trump looks at what Donald Trump’s (undeclared, unplanned, and unthoughtout) war of choice on Iran is costing American citizens and America’s credibility.
American Stasi . . . 0
. . . demonstrate every day the reality of Republican family values.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Another “responsible gun owner” performs a random act of politeness.