Politics of Hate category archive
Q (& A) 0
The SPLC tries to unpack QAnon. Since an increasing number of persons seems to taking the bait, it’s a worthwhile and timely read. Here’s a bit, which points out that QAnon fits in a long tradition of hate, fear, bigotry, and lies.
QAnon is, according to Genocide Watch’s Gregory Stanton, a rebranded “Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion,” perhaps the most influential antisemitic pamphlet of all time, written by Russian anti-Jewish propagandists around the turn of the twentieth century. The pamphlet was a collection of myths about a Jewish plot to take over the world and included a central Blood Libel mythology, which posited that Jews kidnapped and killed Christian children whose blood they would then mix into matzos.
Relax 0
In the Des Moines Register, political science professor Evan Renfro reports that he has been receiving questions from persons concerned about the possibility of a civil war (his term) should Donald Trump lose the election. He says, not to worry.
Follow the link for his reasoning; I think you will find it an interesting perspective.
Aside:
I’ve heard no talk of the danger of a “civil war,” but I clearly do not move in the same circles. I would not, however, be surprised to see–er–heightened incivility.
Echoes of the Past 0
Alan Garfield reports on the unpleasant stirrings that Donald Trump has awakened in a survivor of the Holocaust.
Be forewarned, it’s uncomfortable reading.
Republican Family Values (Updated) 0
At the Idaho State-Journal, Michael Corrigan draws on his own experiences to discuss the Trump administration’s practice of family separation kidnapping. A snippet:
One thing that never changed, however, was the fear every child demonstrated when they were dropped off. “I want my mommy” was a repeated mantra. Even after a month of daily routines, the children expressed a fear of abandonment until they were reassured.
Please do read the rest.
Addendum:
Will Bunch has a suggestion.
The Disclaimer 0
E. J. Montini reads the fine print.
Merchants of Hate 0
Psychologist Darcia Narvaez looks at the inimical effects of right-wing talk radio in mainstreaming hate, bigotry, and political paranoia.
I can’t excerpt or summarize her article in any way and do it justice. Follow the link to read it for yourself.
Republican Family Values 0
Sam briefly discusses the “family separation”–he suggests kidnapping would be a better term–policy at the southern border.
The Case of the Base 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Vinita Mehta points out that the conventional wisdom as to the roots of Donald Trump’s support are not born out by facts (emphasis added).
So, why did Trump amass a larger following than expected?
She goes on to cite an article by Professor Thomas Pettigrew and to explore the five factors that he identifies as characterizing Trump’s core supporters, which include
1. Social Dominance Orientation
2. Authoritarianism
3. Relative (i. e., perceived–ed.) deprivation
4. Prejudice
5. Intergroup contact (or lack thereof–ed.)
I commend the entire piece to your attention.
Originalist Sin, One More Time 0
Afterthought:
Had the Founders intended the Constitution to be immutable, they’d have not provide for amending it.
The Accessory after the Fact 0
Veteran reporter Bob Egelko finds Donald Trump’s approval of violence against members of the press (and others) to be alarming.
The Superman Stunt 0
Tony Norman reflects on delusional self-images. A nugget:
(snip)
Treating America like a shiny Metropolis on a hill when it is more like Gotham City under his stewardship is a typical Trump move. One need look no further than Mr. Trump’s encouragement of anti-government militias and his tacit support of white supremacists to see he would prefer a place where the lunatics are always trying to “Make Arkham Asylum Great Again.”
The Enablers 0
Thom speaks with the Lt. Governor of Michigan about the plot to kidnap the Governor of Michigan.