June, 2019 archive
Devolution 0
In The Atlantic, George Packer tracks the devolution of the modern Republican Party. A snippet:
Republicans have chosen contraction and authoritarianism because, unlike the Democrats, their party isn’t a coalition of interests in search of a majority. Its character is ideological. The Republican Party we know is a product of the modern conservative movement, and that movement is a series of insurgencies against the established order. Several of its intellectual founders—Whittaker Chambers and James Burnham, among others—were shaped early on by Communist ideology and practice, and their Manichean thinking, their conviction that the salvation of Western civilization depended on the devoted work of a small group of illuminati, marked the movement at its birth.
Via Juanita Jean.
Afterthought:
I think the author failed to give adequate emphasis to Richard Nixon’s Southern Strategy, in which appeal to racism and racists became an overt tactic of the Republican Party. The Southern Strategy was key to the Republican Party’s march from being personified by Nelson Rockefeller and Everett Dirksen to being personified by Steve King and Louie Gohmert.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Afterthought:
It is somewhat ironic that the biggest argument in favor of gun control is out-of-control gun owners.
“Hick Hop” 0
The Sacramento Bee’s Marcos Breton explores the new musical trendlet.
It’s All about the Algorithm 0
Ed from Gin and Tacos follows the tale of a Facebook Frolicker’s descent into the wingnut rabid hole.
“On His Knees, Staring at His Reflection in the Pool” 0
Does this article remind you of anyone?
What’s in a Name? 0
In the Idaho State Journal, Mike Murphy wades into a dispute over the “Redskins” name of a local high school team. After noting that a local Republican state representative defended the name because it “honors” Native Americans and because “tradition is important,” he responds
Follow the link for the full skewering.
Republican Family Values 0
Honest to Betsy (Pete’s taking a break), you can’t make this stuff up.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Politeness strikes close to home.
If you recall my posts about jury duty (you can use the “Search” to find them), or even if you do not, this is same complex in which the court house is located.