A Trumpled Nation 0
Carlos Lozada takes a look at the damage the Trump maladministration is doing to America’s global standing and is less than sanguine. A snippet:
Follow the link for context.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Another osymoronic “responsible gun owner” performs a random act of politeness.
We are a broken society.
The America Worst Award 0
Seth lampoons Squeaker of the House Mike Johnson for creating a made-up award for being Donald Trump.
Spin City 0
At SFgate, Erin Rode explores how the right-wing media machine turned a nothing-burger into the conservative* cause celebre.
The topic of the piece is a bridge designed to allow wild animals, including endangered species, to safely cross a busy highway, a project which is slightly behind schedule and slightly over-budget, something that never ever happens with big, years-long projects except when it does.
Rode traces how the events, all of which had been reported as they happened, were repackaged, tied with a bow, and turned into fodder for the wing-nut rage machine.
Here’s a tiny bit, describing one of the outcomes of this process:
It is an inside look into the workings of the right-wing hate factory.
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*And, yes, I know they are not “conservative” in any traditional sense. They are somewhere between reactionary (as in back to 1859) and anarchistic.
Real Big Men 0
At the Psychology Today website, Steven A Hassan reflects on the (mostly online movement called the) “manosphere” and warns that it is, if not a cult, at least cult-like. Given that the Trump maladministration seems infested with text-book toxic masculines, methinks it a timely and worthwhile read.
He makes four main points:
- The manosphere uses the same tactics as cults by regulating behavior, information, thought, and emotion.
- Loaded language like “red pill,” “cope,” and “AWALT” simplifies complex ideas and sabotages critical thinking.
- Framing women as the enemy isolates men from anyone who might challenge the ideology.
- Healthy masculinity resources exist and promote confidence through unlearning unfair societal pressures.
American Stasi 0
From masked marauders to . . . performance artists?
Denial Is Not Just a River in Egypt 0
It’s also how the Trump maladministration approaches U. S. History, but some people are fighting back for truth, justice, and the American way.
Karen Karen-Like 0
Rick Strom finds himself sadly not taken aback by the racism and bigotry which, as far as I cant tell, is the beating heart of MAGA.
Winners and Losers Sharks and Marks, Reprise
0
At the Psychology Today website, Harvard professor of psychiatry Eugene Beresin notes that
He finds this a disturbing and dangerous trend and offers some thought on how to combat it.
Given the constant shilling for suckers surrounding us, methinks it a timely read,
Fly the Fiendly Skies, Reprise 0
Back when I was a road warrior, jetting off on business trips once and sometimes twice a month. Southwest was my preferred airline.
I’m pretty sure that would not be the case today
(And, no, I would have not been subject the “tax” referred to at the link.).