2021 archive
Rand Gestures 0
Yastreblyansky is not impressed by Rand Paul’s stance that a government official’s inciting insurrection while acting in his official capacity shouting “Fire!” in a crowded theatre is just a bit of free speech.
One-Way Street 0
Jamelle Bouie skewers Senate Republicans bogus “bi-partisanship” cosplay.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
We are again reminded that politeness is a family value.
Misdirection Play, Cancel Culture Dept. 0
Ravi Chandra, writing at Psychology Today Blogs, looks behind the smoke screen to see what claims of “cancel culture” conceal. A snippet (emphasis added):
Geeking Out 0
Tyger, tyger, burning bright! in the forests of Mageia v. 7 with Fluxbox. The wallpaper is from my collection and is one of my favorites. (Blake is also one of my favorite poets.)
Lies and Lying Liars, It’s Bubblicious Dept. 0
At the Las Vegas Sun, Brad Swanson tells the story of a relative who has become a confirmed Trumpette, believing that the recent election was stolen, as well as the other lies trumpeted by Trump and his dupes, symps, and fellow travelers. A snippet (emphasis added):
Why do reasonable people fall for this?
The biggest factor, studies show, is sustained immersion in the sea of fake news, and exclusion from other viewpoints — whether voluntarily, i.e. choosing to live in an “echo chamber,” or involuntarily due to government control of the media, as in Nazi Germany and Rwanda.
No matter how rational we think we are, when we only hear a single perspective time after time, we start to internalize and accept it.
The truth can’t make you free if you can’t (or won’t–ed.) hear it.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Yet another responsible gun owner discharges his responsibility.
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
Heaven forbid that students should ever be taught the truth about ye olde south.
Facebook Frolics, No, You Can’t Unsay That Dept. 0
Connie Schultz looks at Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Facebook frolics and reminds us that, despite Greene’s recent (and likely less than sincere) repudiation thereof
Follow the link for her reasoning.
Recommended Reading 0
A History of China, by Wolfram Eberhard.
As one who trained as an historian, I believe that the past illuminates the present. Knowing China’s past will help you understand the China we deal with today. I commend this book to your attention.
And Now for a Musical Interlude 2
Afterthought:
Why do so many of today’s female pop singers choose to sing in voices that sound like little girls?
I mentioned this to my friend today, and she has the same wonder.
Lies and Lying Liars, Facebook Frolics Dept. 0
Rachel reads Marjorie Taylor Greene’s “lasers from space” Facebook post, after citing Congressman Kevin McCarthy’s statement that Greene told him she knows nothing about it.
Via C&L, which has commentary.