December, 2020 archive
Perpetually Popping Off Propaganda . . . . 0
David dissects the deluge of disinformation.
And the spiral continues.
The Point of Propaganda 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Rob Henderson reviews recent research and argues that the point of propaganda is not to convince, but, rather, to coerce. A nugget (emphasis in the original):
Alongside their desire to brainwash people, authoritarians also want to remind them of their power. When people are bombarded with propaganda everywhere they look, they are reminded of the strength of the regime.
The vast amount of resources authoritarians spend to display their message in every corner of the public square is a costly demonstration of their power. Propaganda is intended to instill fear in people, not brainwash them.
Much, much more at the link.
Maskless Marauders 0
The Roanoke Times editorial board minces no words. A snippet:
“Today, we’re on a razor’s edge between liberty and tyranny,” Knight said. “Fear isn’t the only thing that’s contagious, though. Courage is contagious. Be courageous. Defend the Constitution. The time is now that we the people take back the power and restore Virginia to her rightful place as a bastion of liberty.”
What utter nonsense.
And it gets better from there.
Your Government Inaction 0
Sam Seder, Emma Vigeland, and Dr. MarkAlain Dery discuss the failure of the Trump administration to address the current pandemic.
The Voter Fraud Fraud Is a Fraudulent Fraud Perpetrated by Fraudsters 0
In a news report syndicated by the Seattle Times from the New York Times, the authors argue that the failure of Donald Trump’s efforts to overturn the election had the unexpected effect of debunking the voter fraud fraud. A snippet:
Nevertheless, argue the authors, many Republican voters will continue to tell themselves that they are somehow the victims here. Another short excerpt:
The false notions have lived on in Trump’s Twitter and Facebook feeds; on the television programming of Fox News, Newsmax and One America News Network; and in statehouse hearings where Republican leaders have contemplated more restrictive voting laws based on the rejected allegations.
The entire article is worth a read.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Ensure that your offspring play politely.
The Rule of Lawless 0
Trudy Rubin tries to assess the damage done by Donald Trump’s pardoning war criminals for committing war crimes. A nugget:
As Crocker and retired Gen. David Petraeus – who served as commander of US and international forces in Iraq – made clear to me, in a joint statement about the pardons: “American prestige, credibility and security have all been seriously undermined.”
Kittens! 0
A wallpaper from my collection in the Plasma desktop on Mageia v. 7.
Afterthought:
Speaking of felines, one of the cats knocked my little bedroom television to the floor, taking a lamp and the answering machine with it, last night. It took me half an hour to get everything reconnected this morning.
I haven’t gotten the culprit to confess.
Yet.
Put Up or Shut Up 0
Juanita Jean reports on the challenge.
Frankly, I reckon Dan Abbott will turn out to be all hat, no cattle.
Immunity Impunity
0
I’m almost–not quite–as old as the man who filed this suit.
I don’t think police would have treated me as they did the plaintiff in said action, but, then, I’m Not Black.
Originalist Sin 0
Dave and his guest discuss the role of the Supreme Court and the severely flawed reasoning of “Constitutional originalists.”
