2020 archive
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Don’t mess around with politeness.
“Yes, But” Always Means No 0
Many years ago, in another incarnation, I was a management trainer in the corporate training department of a national corporation (one of the benefits was that I got to travel all over the country, mostly by rail; there is no better way to see the country than through the windows of a passenger train).
One of the classes that we taught was “Interpersonal Communications Skills” (among ourselves, we referred to it as “How To Talk Good,” but, really, it was much more about how to listen good). The title of this post is one of the catch phrases we used to use to drive a point home to the trainees.
Because it’s true.
Software Upgrade 0
Image via Juanita Jean.
Aside:
I suspect that the Trumpettes will never admit–especially to themselves–how thoroughly they have allowed themselves to be conned.
All Hallows Eve in These Viral Times 0
Stephanie Hayes re-imagines a haunted house for today.
Geeking Out 0
Listening to Philo Vance from the Old Time Radio Network Library with the VLC media player on Mageia v. 7 under the Fluxbox window manager. The wallpaper is from my collection.
Sacrificial Lambs 0
At the Idaho State Journal, Jim Jones explains.
“My Way or the Highway” 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Jeremy Sherman suggests that the motivations for members of right-wing “populist” movements may be simpler than many theorists believe. In that context, he opines that Donald Trump’s behavior during this week’s “debate” was not to be unexpected.
Methinks his comments are worth consideration; here’s a tiny bit:
Trump is the perfect embodiment of that proud stance and this week’s debate was the first test of that stance in four years, Trump’s first public moment in four years as an equal to others, not the dominant leader granting audience to respectful supplicating subordinates.
. . . His best and only remaining strategy is simple: Continue to pose as indomitable; imply inevitable and absolute dominance with ever-louder dog-whistles.
All he had to do was demonstrate continued unflappable dominance and he pulled it off brilliantly running roughshod over every social norm. He didn’t blow the debate; he nailed it.
Sherman, I think, makes a telling point. I suspect that Donald Trump does indeed believe that he nailed it.
Follow the link to put that little bit I quoted in context. It’s worth the five minutes.
Aside:
I put quotations around the word “populist” because the usage of the term has morphed significantly. Initially, it denoted a progressive movement, rather than, as it does today, a regressive one.
The Candidate’s Debacle 0
Seth looks at the Presidential debate and at Fox News’s attempts to spin it into an alternative reality so as to put Donald Trump’s behavior in a positive light.
It Wasn’t a Sale 0
It was an auction.
I’m old.
I can remember when (at least some) Republicans had whaddyacallit? integrity.
Image via The Bob Cesca Show Blog.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Be polite to your co-workers.
He said he confronted the boss Tuesday as the manager was in a truck with two other people. He said he opened the door and the gun accidentally fired, the warrant said.
