Culture Warriors category archive

At the Portland Press-Herald, Barbara S. Held argues that the proliferation of poisonous rhetoric is polluting our polity.

Methinks she has a point. You have only to pay attention.

A snippet (emphasis added); follow the link for the rest.

We must recognize that whether a person’s racist speech reflects ignorance or underlying race-based hate (or both), the proliferation of racist rhetoric helps to normalize it, thereby increasing the acceptance of racist falsehoods that intensify racist violence and oppression of minorities.

Her article is worth your while.

Mike Littwin marvels at how major Republican figures seem to fear cutting ties with Trump, even as he proceeds from one outrageous deed to another. He refers to Trump’s dinner with “the nation’s most prominent antisemite of the moment as well as with a Holocaust-denying white nationalist” inner and to Republicans’ lukewarm reaction. A snippet:

It’s almost as if Trump is daring them to do it (break with him–ed.). It’s almost as if he’s a bully who enjoys nothing more than humiliating his allies. It’s almost as if hanging out with antisemites and white nationalists is the latest version of the Trump dictum that he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and not lose a vote.

The Daily Show compares Fox News and Nick Fuentes.

Via C&L.

Arnie D. Fielkow and Tracie Washington, writing at NOLA.com, have a history of political disagreements. However, writing at NOLA.com, they report that there is one thing on which they do agree. Two snippets:

Never in our lifetimes have we experienced the level of hate, anger and hostility over our politics, economy, foreign policy, and even the meaning of democracy. Incidents of antisemitism, racism and bigotry are at frightening levels, and legitimate questions are being raised regarding what America is and really stands for. Respectful discourse has almost become a relic of the past and many are afraid — with good reason — to even express personal views.

(snip)

Clearly, the actions and dog-whistles of certain political leadership have empowered and legitimized bigots. Most thought neo-Nazis and the KKK were in the past, but frighteningly they have publicly re-emerged with new allies from QAnon, the Proud Boys, and others. Who would have ever thought that our nation’s Capitol would be attacked or, maybe worse, that some would try to justify one of the worst days in US history? Is this really the America we all want?

Meanwhile, Will Bunch offers a theory as to the underlying cause; follow the link for his complete essay:

The antisemiti, the homophobia, the violence … this isn’t the American right flexing its muscles out of strength. Quite the opposite. The forces of 400 years of white supremacy culture are like a wounded bear right now — lashing out, and extremely dangerous because its proponents know they are a seriously endangered species.

Virginia’s Governor Trumpkin is looking to bend him some twigs.

Afterthought:

Hillsdale College was in on the rewrite.

Somehow or another, I got on Hillsdale College’s propaganda mailing list.

Talk about right-wing agitprop . . . .

Addendum:

A bit of a backtrack.

They’re just fighting for their right to be mean for the sake of mean.

Yet more hate-full twits.