Hate Sells category archive
Gutting Out the Vote 0
Gordon Weil notes a trend.
Follow the link for his reasoning.
Thought Police, Redux 0
Heaven forbid that students should be exposed to ideas and facts while at school.
We are a society of stupid.
Freedom of Screech 0
At Above the Law, Joe Patrice explains that one thing is not like the other thing. An excerpt; follow the link for more.
All That Was Old Is New Again 0
Will Bunch looks at the current right-wing freak-out over book learnin’. A snippet:
Image via Job’s Anger.
Thought Police 0
Michael in Norfolk discusses the right-wing’s war on thoughts. A snippet:
Conceptualizing Governor Trumpkin 0
Noting the Virginia’s new Republican governor wants to ban “divisive concepts” from public schools, Jim Marchman, writing at The Roanoke Times, wonders precisely what that term encompasses. For example:
Afterthought:
Of course, Marchman purposely misses the point to make his point.
As Paul Krugman pointed out (see below), a “divisive concept” is nothing more than one which makes Governor Trumpkin and his dupes, symps, and fellow travelers feel uncomfortable.
Governor Trumpkin 0
Michael in Norfolk is somewhat disturbed by the actions of Virginia’s new governor.
As too am I.
Disturbed, that is.
Not surprised.
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Steven Stosny writes of living with resentful persons. He focuses on individuals in their day-to-day environments at work and home, yet I think much of what he says can be expanded to our political discourse.
I suggest that certain public figures foment misdirected or even baseless resentment to further their fortunes.
I offer one snippet in support of my position and commend the entire piece to your attention.
The Disinformation Superhighway 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Paul Thagard argues that the success of fascist movements depends on misinformation. After outlining five specific types of misinformation that fascist movements of the 20th Century relied on, he goes on to suggests practices for inoculating ourselves against mis- and disinformation.
What particularly caught my eye, though, was this nugget, which illustrates why “social” media isn’t (emphasis added):
I commend the article to your attention.
Vaccine Nation 0
Methinks putting party over the public good is a pretty good indicator of a failed state.
Vaccine Nation 0
Michael in Norfolk looks at recent actions by Virginia’s incoming Republican governor and is less than favorably impressed. A snippet:
Funny Money 0
It is a storied right-wing position to question “fiat currencies” and to yearn for a return to, say, the gold standard. And bitcoin and its imitators are the ultimate in fiat currency. Yet right-wingers seem fascinated with bitcoin, as Paul Krugman notes:
So what’s that about?
Follow the link for his theory.
Misdiagnosis 0
Joe Pierre, writing at Psychology Today Blogs, looks at dis coarse discourse and argues that attributing belief in political or scientific fairy tales to “mass delusion” or “mass psychosis” is, as my old boss used to say, “in error.” Rather, he suggests that such beliefs are symptomatic of a sick society, not of sick individuals.
Here’s a bit of his piece (emphasis added); follow the link for the complete article.
Aside:
I would argue that the ultimate “real root cause”–to use his term–of our present poisonous politics is America’s original sin of chattel slavery and the racist ideology created to justify and excuse it, which is perpetually promoted by political actors for power and profit.
But that’s just me.
Practicing License without Medicine 0
Rebecca Watson traces the trajectory of a quack-up.
Sauce for the Goose . . . 0
The Orlando Sentinel’s Scott Maxwell has a modest proposal. A nugget:
I have a better idea:
Let’s force legislators to strap on body-cams and mics on themselves every time they’re around lobbyists.
Follow the link for his reasoning.