Political Theatre category archive
The News Recycle 0
In the context of a larger article, in which he argues that the Republican Party is becoming increasingly a party of ideologues, rather than of pragmatists, Jeremy Bernstein provides telling comment on the Republican news recycle (emphasis added):
Most likely, it’s some combination of both: Republican voters and Republican-aligned media are egging each other on.
I commend his piece to your attention.
(Broken tag fixed.)
Intimidations of Immorality 0
I am not a lawyer (though I once thought I wanted to be one, until I met some law students and decided I never wanted to be that uptight), but, to the best of my understanding, attempting to intimidate potential witnesses and members of a jury pool is viewed less than favorably.
Originalist Sin 0
Justice Elena Kagan argues that the Supreme Supremacist Court is, indeed, not above the law.
“But It’s the Only Possible Explanation” 0
Writing at Psychology Today Blogs, Sara Gorman and Jack Gorman look at a recent study regarding persons who tend to believe in conspiracy theories. It suggests that personality traits, rather than demographic factors, may play a larger role in susceptibility to conspiracy theories than previously thought. Here’s a bit:
In fact, this was not a major motivator in this analysis. Instead, wanting their group to feel superior to other groups was a much more significant motivation to believe in conspiracy theories. In terms of personality traits, the researchers found a strong association between believing in conspiracy theories and the following traits: insecurity, paranoia, emotional volatility, and impulsivity. People with high levels of belief in conspiracy theories were also more likely to be manipulative, egocentric, and eccentric.
Given the current state of dis coarse discourse, I think their piece is well worth a read.
The Lake Effect 0
At the Idaho State Journal, Mike Murphy marvels at the metastasis of the mendacity.
Credit Crunch 0
Thom explores why Republicans are willing to erode America’s credit rating.
Aside:
The Founders were leery of political parties–they used the term “faction”–because they feared the time would come when a faction would put itself above the nation.
Methinks said fears may not have been unfounded.
A Picture Is Worth 0
Voting is not a right. It is a duty.
Vote in every election: local, state, and national.
And vote in the real world.
Spin Cycle 0
And round and round it goes . . . .
Eye Witnesses 0
Chris Hayes reminds that we watched the January 6 insurrection happen in real time.
Via C&L, which has commentary.
Precedented 0
Writing at the Bangor Daily News, Gordon Weil suggests that there is an historical precedent for Donald Trump, but that it’s not necessarily who you might expect. Here’s a bit:
The king in question is King George III of Great Britain, a man we like to dislike.
Methinks he makes a pretty good case. Follow the link for his reasoning.
I Feel Like I Know This Person from Somewhere . . . . 0
Does this remind you of anyone in the news?