Politics of Hate category archive
Establishmentarians 0
At the Kansas City Star, Dion Lefler argues that life has started to echo Monty Python.
As the comedy troupe Monty Python once said, “Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition.”
I certainly didn’t expect it in Oklahoma.
But Inquisition 2024 came to our neighboring state on Thursday, when Oklahoma’s authoritarian superintendent of public instruction, Ryan Walters, issued an edict that every classroom from fifth to 12th grade must have a Bible in it, and every teacher, regardless of their own beliefs, has to teach from it — or else.
Follow the link for his reasoning.
And, in a related piece, Marty Ryan points out that there is a certain–er–lack of consensus on the number and wording of the Ten (or so) Commandments.
Our Trumpled Polity 0
Thom runs the numbers that show that, since Donald Trump entered the political scene in 2015, hate crimes have escalated dramatically.
Thom also notes that “hate is a cheap effective political weapon” and warns not to be taken in by it.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
Steve M. looks at the reaction of Fox News hosts to Donald Trump’s suggestion that immigrants sbe used as modern-day gladiators for the entertainment of the masses. He suggests that (emphasis added):
Methinks Steve M. is onto something. Follow the link for the rest.
Afterthought:
I think it telling that, in ancient Rome, gladiators were slaves, and, for all practical purposes, this too would be enslavement–another reason why the Party of the New Secesh would not find this notion objectionable.
A Tune for the Times 0
Bruce W. Nelson tells us more about Falcon E. DeEtte at the Youtube page:
Few folks personify REAL American-style patriots like the liberal hating, Muslim hating, gay hating, environmentalist hating, college-education hating, clean-water hating, electric car hating, government hating, rule-of-law hating, clean air hating, deodorant hating, windmill hating, solar power hating, World Bank hating, Europe hating, NATO hating, Putin loving MAGA folks. To speak on behalf of all those haters of their fellow citizens (and most other people who speak foreign languages) today we present Falcon E. DeEtte, (a man who comes from a long line of E. DeEttes) and who is soon to release his book, “The E.DeEtte’s Guide to MAGA in America”.
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
I think it’s not an exaggeration to suggest that what was once the “Party of Lincoln” is now the Party of the Secesh.
Still Rising Again after All These Years, Reprise 0
As Mark Twain said, “History does not repeat itself, but it often rhymes.”
And the rhymes are Trumpeting.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
At the Idaho State Journal, Nick Geir attacks a full ennead of Donald Trump’s lies about events that the U. S.-Mexico border with a most starting weapon: actual data.
Here’s one lies he dissects (emphasis in the original):
83% appear for asylum hearings
Trump pulls yet another figure out of the air: he asserts that only 3% of those who claim asylum show up for their court hearings. I’ve looked at several studies and the number of asylum seekers who do report ranges from 83% to 92%. It is essential to note that migrants who report to authorities are not, under the 1980 Refugee Act, illegal aliens.
Follow the link for the remaining octad.
If One Standard Is Good, Two Must Be Better 0
At the Austin American-Statesman, Brad Pritchett highlights the hypocrisy. Here’s a bit of his article:
After the resolution passed, Attorney General Ken Paxton and a cadre of Republican legislators immediately entered chest-pounding mode––a performance typical of firebrand conservatives. Paxton has now threatened to sue the city of Austin. As part of his statement, he insists that, “municipalities do not have the authority to pick and choose which state laws they will or will not abide by.” That’s rich coming from Ken Paxton who, only a week earlier was issuing statements declaring that Texas should defy the updates to Title IX issued by the Federal Department of Education because it includes updated protections for LGBTQIA+ students and faculty.
(Broken link fixed.)
Courting Disaster 0
Peter Jensen reflects on the recent news about Alito’s antics and wonders
Follow the link for the thoughts that led him to the question.
Chaos Agents, a Notion of Immigrants Dept. 0
At the Arizona Republic, Eddie Jones, an architect who designs border entry facilities and spends much time at around the U.S-Mexican border, argues forcefully that, despite the claims of right-wing politicians, there is no crisis at that border. Here are a couple of snippets from his article; follow the link for evidence and examples.
(snip)
One thing, however, is for sure: If we continue to make the border a security hot potato, ignoring the humanitarian reality and failing to upgrade our immigration system, we will continue electing people who feign outrage and perpetuate border confusion for their own self-interest.
What You Don’t Know Can Hurt You 0
Unless you’ve been asleep, you have seen the news about how Republican Thought Police are busy policing thoughts they don’t like, particularly thoughts granting equality and inclusion to persons who diverge from being white, Evangelical they-call-themselves Christians, or straight. I’ve certainly posted about it a number of times (you can search for “Republican Thought Police” on the sidebar, over there —–>).
At Psychology Today Blogs, Heather Rose Artushin looks at the harm banning books can do. Here’s a tiny bit from her article; follow the link for a detailed look at the harm that Republican Thought Police are causing.
Research supports that book bans are bad for mental health, especially impacting:
1. Marginalized individuals whose stories are contained in the majority of challenged books. . . .
2. Children and teens suffer when books are banned in their schools and public libraries for many reasons. . . .
3. Librarians and school staff experience added stress and anxiety due to the atmosphere of censorship that book banning creates. . . .
4. Authors make their livelihood selling books, and book bans not only impact some authors’ income, but might leave them feeling excluded and marginalized as well. . . .
“History Does Not Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes”* 0
Today’s rhymes are brought to you by Michael in Norfolk and by AL.com’s Roy S. Johnson.
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*Mark Twain.
If One Standard Is Good, Two Must Be Better 0
The Arizona Republic’s Laurie Roberts stands aghast at remarks on Arizona Republicans’ unmitigated self-serving chutzpah double standard.
