June, 2018 archive
Despotately Seeking Suzerainty, Reprise 0
In the Hartford Courant, Nathaniel Zelinsky shares his concern and unease with Donald Trump’s dalliances with despots.
Few statements could be more perverse: Kim certainly does not “do right” by the hundreds of thousands of North Koreans in prison camps. He does not “do right” by the 10.5 million North Koreans who are undernourished as a direct result of the regime’s actions. Nor does he “do right” when he restricts North Koreans’ freedom to speak or to travel (to name just two freedoms) in his desperate quest to retain control of the Hermit Kingdom.
So read the rest.
Stray Thought 0
I’m still unsure what I feel about the propriety of the Red Hen Restaurant’s owner’s decision not to serve Sarah Huckabee Sanders. As the pearl-clutching has demonstrated, it provides right-wingers another opportunity to pretend that they have been victimized in some way when called to task for their misdeeds.
Nevertheless, I am certain of this:
If a baker can legally refuse to bake a cake for a gay couple, a restaurateur most certainly can legally refuse to serve a liar.
Gay is not a choice. Lying is.
The Art of the Con 0
Shorter Josh Marshall:
The con works only once. Try it again, and you will find that the marks have figured you out.
Despotately Seeking Suzerainty 0
Gordon Weil comments at the Bangor Daily News. A snippet:
That practice disappeared as sovereignty came to be held by citizens, and the surviving kings or queens reigned but no longer ruled.
(snip)
But here is a problem with President Trump. He sometimes seems to believe that his unusual and unexpected election means that he should be respected as if he enjoyed what used to be called “the divine right of kings.”
Guns Down Under 0
Lee and his guests discuss gun control in Australia.
The Trade-Off 0
The Charlotte Observer’s Isaac Bailey comments on the what Republicans have paid for their dominance of the Presidency and the Congress. After listing some of their “victories” (Neil Gorsuch, a purportedly pro-life president appointing wingnut Federal judges, triumphing in the “war on Christmas” which never was), he totals the price tag:
Congratulations on your pyrrhic victories.
All it cost you was your integrity.
All you had to do was make a man who rose to national political prominence on open bigotry president of the United States.
And relinquish all credible claims of being the party of family values and faith.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Party politely.
No alcohol was involved.
The men had placed some Tannerite (a brand of explosive target–ed.) in a wood cabinet and shot it, Myers said. The explosion caused the debris to hit the injured man.
The stupid. It burns.
Decoding de Code 0
Thom explains the cynical racism behind the Trump administration’s decision to rip children from their parents.
Borderline Disorder 0
Alby suggests that there’s a method to the madness.
Recommended Reading for Trumpled Times 0
I’m passing this recommendation on from Ginny Brock, who writes at The Roanoke Times,
Follow the link for her reasons for recommending Shirer’s book (which, by the by, is excellent).
Precedented 0
Paul Krugman sees similarities between Donald Trump’s obsession with immigrants and other phenomena, and they ain’t pretty. Here’s an excerpt; follow the link for the evidence he cites.
And you know what this reminds me of? The history of anti-Semitism, a tale of prejudice fueled by myths and hoaxes that ended in genocide.
Adventures in Literacy 0
One of the technicians who repaired our air conditioner earlier this week used the word “inferred” in casual conversation.
And he used it correctly!
