2014 archive
The Gospel According to GOP 0
Considering the right’s reaction to the notorious botched “execution” in Oklahoma, Tony Norman tries to figure out where the right wing gets its “Christian values.” A nugget:
What would Mr. Inhofe’s version of Jesus have done in the “Christian nation” he established under the quasi-priesthood of George Washington? He’d presumably be the first to insert a needle into Lockett’s arm, despite being a victim of capital punishment himself.
Like his most “faithful” followers, the Jesus of Mr. Inhofe’s imagination is as irony deprived as he is sadistic.
I was raised Southern Baptist. The little country church in which I grew up did not know the God that Republicans embrace.
More at the link.
Full disclosure:
Lockett appears to have been thoroughly despicable. Nevertheless, though I believe that some deeds are so heinous that their perpetrators forfeit their place in society, I continue to oppose capital punishment because we kill the wrong persons far too often.
This Is the Life 0
Oliver Willis narrates the life of Barack Obama as told by conservatives.
I cannot excerpt or summarize it and do it justice. Just go read it.
Facebook Frolics 0
The humblebrag.
School for Scamdal 0
Steven M. looks at the latest Republican attempt to gin up something out of nothing once more all over again.
A Touch of Class 0
Ta-Nehisi Coates argues that we need a better class of racists.
Elegant racism is invisible, supple, and enduring. It disguises itself in the national vocabulary, avoids epithets and didacticism. Grace is the singular marker of elegant racism. One should never underestimate the touch needed to, say, injure the voting rights of black people without ever saying their names. Elegant racism lives at the border of white shame. Elegant racism was the poll tax. Elegant racism is voter-ID laws.
Football uber Alles 0
Another illegal formulation at Penn State.
NCAA “sports” need to be taken out of universities’ drivers’ seats; they’re driving drunk on money.
Republican Economic Theory 0
PoliticalProf stuffs Republiconomics in a peanut shell (like a peanut, it has two kernels).
Chartering a Course for Disaster 0
The Rude One rudely exposes the grift (not that anyone is listening):
So, obviously, New Jersey school superintendent and Chris Christie appointee Cami Anderson is going to close it and open a charter school in its place.
More and ruder rudeness about the grift at the link.
A Potpourri of Preposterous 0
Warning: Language.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Yet more familial politeness (emphasis added):
(snip)
The young men apparently discovered a shotgun in the home and were handling it when it discharged, striking the older brother, Chapman said.
I wonder whether the shotgun sneaked in on its own or was an invited guest.
I grew up with guns.
We knew where the guns were and were taught when and how to “handle” them.