Political Theatre category archive
How Stuff Works 0
Yastreblyansky explains the David Brooks Pablum Pump.
Jurist Prudent 0
From the accompanying post notes that the lawyer house Republicans hired to argue their case has quit “out of embarrassment.”
Calvacade of Stupid 0
Jon Stewart lampoons Congressional Republicans’ ignorance of science.
Below the fold in case it autoplays.
The I’s Have It 0
Stephen Colbert collects himself some narcissisms.
Below the fold, because it may autoplay. Also, there’s a commercial.
“Legislative Malpractice” 0
Chris Honore:
Follow the link to read the indictment.
“No Labels” Means “No There, There” 0
Hendrik Gideons, writing at the Bangor Daily News, exposes the emptiness of “centrism.” A nugget:
“Centrist” denotes equidistance from whatever is on either side. The term pays no attention whatsoever to 1) how far apart the two sides are from one another, 2) which among them might have moved recently and why, and 3) how much. “Independent” draws its indeterminate meaning only from whatever it is — again unspecified — with which the speaker chooses not to be identified. And when such “independents” refer to political parties as “special interests,” they misuse a term employed for decades by political scientists to denote a person, group or organization attempting to influence legislators in favor of one particular interest or issue.
Do read the rest.
No Joe King 0
The Sacramento Bee’s Jack Ohman delivers another masterful parody of a political ad.
The Truth Is (Not) Out There 0
Thom explores why persons buy into conspiracy theories.
The Stay-Out-of-Jail-Free Card 0
The resident curmudgeon at my local rag, in the light of the Regent’s fall from grace, offers hints to help pols stay out of jail.
Every one is a gem. Here’s one:
Rule No. 4: Remember you’re not royalty.
This is especially important for governors. You’re not the King of Virginia, and your daughters are not princesses. If they’re planning to marry while you’re in office, give them the wedding you can afford without begging favors and freebies. Virginia’s taxpayers provide their chief executive and family with a stately mansion. Everything that happens there looks classy. If money is tight, toss some folding chairs on the well-manicured lawn and serve barbecue. Guests won’t care if they eat off paper plates. They’ll be able to tell everyone they were invited to the governor’s daughter’s wedding.
