2019 archive
A Four-Act Farce 0
Shorter Nicholas Kristoff: The play’s the thing wherein to catch the conscience of the king.
Russian Impulses 0
Shaun Mullen brings us up to date.
Aside:
I note that Shaun’s analyses have been quite en point so far. (Me, I stay out of the prediction business. Later: Hell, it’s all I can do to keep up with what’s already happened.)
The Sound of Silence 0
David discusses the difference between “voter fraud,” a Republican con, and “election fraud, a Republican strategy.
He notes that Republicans greet the latter with the sound of silence. (Warning: Promo at the end.)
There’s in-App for That 0
Farron and Scott Hardy discuss the “in app” phish.
Aside:
When we went out for breakfast Sunday morning, we saw a kid, maybe about six or eight, wearing a “Fortnite” tee-shirt. Wonder if he’s been suckered?
Willful Ignorance 0
Dick Polman comments on Donald Trump’s council of climate change charlatans who claim that climate change cannot be, but, if it is, it’s benign and beneficial.
A snippet:
In related news, my local rag today had a long article about how rising sea levels are devastating rural coastal communities.
“Entertainment Republicanism” 0
David interviews Republican strategist and Trump opponent Rick Wilson regarding his contempt for Donald Trump and the Red Hats. I found it interesting; give it a listen to find out where the title of this post came from. (Warning: He slips into a little reflex bothsiderism about half-way through, but I think his comments about Democratic strategy incisive.)
Facebook Frolics, Just the Vaxx, Ma’am, Dept. 0
Remember experience shows that, as Sandra Cothran points out at The Roanoke Times, “social” media isn’t social.
The Secesh Never Stopped Rising Again 0
Tennessean David Cook reacts to the continuing revelations of white politicians who wore blackface and in other ways memorialized the Secesh when they were young. He considers his own experiences as a white guy growing up in the South. Here’s a bit; I commend the article to your attention:
Nor am I surprised by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam’s yearbook photo.
My hunch is that many African-Americans aren’t surprised, either.
Racism isn’t a surprise.
It’s often seen as the norm, the expectation.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
When a guest, show politeness to your hosts.
(snip)
Investigators say the toddler found an unlocked, loaded gun that a guest left under a bed. Deputies say the child’s parents told them, they didn’t know the gun was in the house.
The Wall-Eyed Piker 0
In The Sacramento Bee, the Dean of the UC Berkeley Law School sums it up. A snippet:
President Donald Trump is acting in an unconstitutional and unlawful manner . . . .
Follow the link for his reasoning.
Protected Fee-Fees 0
Sam marvels at the concern certain members of the media have for protecting the delicate fee-fees of the very rich.
QOTD 0
Robert Goldsborough, in the voice of Archie Goodwin:
Maybe it’s because I’ve been around Wolfe so long, but I’ve always preferred getting my news from papers rather than television. It’s like favoring meat and potatoes over crepes.
Goldborough, Robert, Death on Deadline (New York: Mysterious Press.com/Open Road, 1987), p. 99.
The Privatization Scam 0
The editorial board of the Las Vegas Sun lays out a compelling case against private prisons.