This New Gilded Age . . . 0
. . . meet this new “Let them eat cake.”
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
It has been previously reported in these electrons that politeness is going for the dogs.
Well, now it’s going for the cats.
A (Hopeful) Tune for the Times 0
Warning: Language
Unchecked and Unbalanced, the Rule of Lawless Dept. 0
Via the Miami Herald, Boise State University’s Stephanie Martin observes that the Republican-controlled Congress is failing to do its job in reigning in the Trump maladministration’s violations of the law. She–er–suggests that that is not a good thing. Here’s snippet:
Trump’s influence over Republican voters intensifies these incentives. Lawmakers who oppose him risk public ridicule, primary challenges and diminished political support . Defending congressional authority may therefore carry greater immediate – and personal – political costs than allowing presidential power to expand.
The result is a political system in which a president can act in ways that may violate federal law, undermine democratic norms and encroach on Congress’ constitutional authority.
I think she is–er–understating the danger facing our polity, but I still think her article is well worth the few minutes it will take to read.
Trading Secrets 0
Heaven Trumpettes forbid that the public should learn about the stock manipulation.
At a Crossroads 0
Driftglass is not sanguive. Here’s a bit of his article (emphasis added):
It put me in mind of the lesson my father taught me through example:
I commend the entire piece to your attention.
Confirmation Bias 0
At Above the Law, Joe Patrice discusses a legal brief filed by RFK Jr.’s HHS, a brief in which 80% of the legal citations were “fictitious, irrelevant, or erronious” in the words of the court. This comment leapt out at me (emphasis added):
Follow the link for context.
American Stasi, Reprise 0
More (somewhat bizarre but very real) evidence that the Trump maladministration’s crackdown on immigrants is all about the color of their skin.
American Stasi 0
The agents blocked his work truck with unmarked vehicles, broke its windows, and pointed guns at the passengers, according to Portillo. He said his requests for a warrant or explanation of the stop were denied.
He’s been a naturalized citizen for over a decade, has a clean record, and owns a successful small business.
But he has brown skin.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
A facilitator of falsity? Just follow the fakes.