2020 archive
Behind That Curtain* 0
David talks with Talia Lavin about her experiences in infiltrating white supremacist groups.
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*With apologies to Earl Derr Biggers.
Courting Disasters 0
The writers for Night Court would have considered this too outrageous to attempt.
Tales of the Trumpling: Snapshots of Trickle-Down Trumpery 0
Afterthought:
You know, the harsh truth is that persons who don’t think like that, well, they won’t talk like that.
A Tune for the Times 0
Over at Balloon Juice.
The Art of the Con 0
Brian Greenspun explores the scam. A snippet (emphasis added):
What also isn’t working is this American democracy, which used to pride itself as the one country on earth that exalts the peaceful and orderly transfer of power from one president to the next. It isn’t working because public servants who take an oath to uphold the Constitution — those folks would be the Republicans in the U.S. Senate who used to care about such things as our democratic norms — are AWOL.
Self-Reverential 0
Mariette Jensen suggests that five elements characterize the thought patterns of a narcissist. Here they are; follow the link for a detailed discussion on each one.
The 5 main thoughts that form the narcissist thinking pattern
1. I am the best and the only one important
2. There is only black and white
Grey areas are a no-go territory. Grey is confusing3. You are with me or against me
4. The only truth is my truth
5. I don’t care about you, I only care about me
Afterthought:
Remind you of anyone?
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Politeness is a family value.
The Poison of Positive Thinking 0
At the Des Moines Register, Todd Blodgett explains.
Afterthought:
Publishing a positive position in the presence of adversity is one thing.
Manifesting magickal malicious mentation to maintain manufactured mendacities is something entirely other.
A Time of Tantrum 0
Watch the entire interview.
QOTD 0
Robert van Gulik, in the voice of Judge Dee:
He recognized in the manager that distressing type of witness, a man with no eyes and a fertile imagination.
van Gulik, Robert, The Chinese Gold Murders (New York: Harper Collins, 2004), p. 166.
Withdrawal 0
Steve M. argues that most persons will quickly (and with great relief, in my own opinion) get over the Trump presidency, with the exception of two groups.
He details the dependent and the dependency. A snippet:
The other group that can’t quit Trump — as (New York Times columnist Frank–edl) Bruni acknowledges — is the media.
Follow the link for his reasoning.
Plan Nein from Outer Space 0
On the same theme, the San Francisco Chronicle’s John Diaz minces no words.