2021 archive
A History of Historical Hysteria 0
The Kansas City Star’s Melinda Henneberger reminds us that denying reality in times of crisis is not unprecedented. Here’s a tiny excerpt:
Not unlike Missouri Gov. Mike Parson, who went ahead and hosted his annual fall festival last year, or South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, who in the middle of the delta spike called the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in her state a fun and “fantastic event,” the governor of Milan prioritized the prince’s birthday party. He did so, Manzoni said, “without troubling himself with the danger which would result from so great a concourse of people at such a time.”
The full article is well worth your while.
Equal Justice under the Law 0
The writer of a letter to the editor of the Las Vegas Sun reminds us that some people are more equal than others,
Road Hazards 0
It is generally considered unwise to drive in a blizzard. I had to do it once and it was one of the scariest experiences of my life.
Mind you, it wasn’t a blizzard when I started out. We broke up our meeting early to beat the snow, but the snow won. Somehow, I made it home in my Chevette–a half-drive that took an hour and a half–where we remained snowed in for the better part of a week.
Sadly, we seem to be nearing peak unwisdom.
Afterthought:
I was living in Arlington, Va., at the time. That was the storm in which a jet crashed into the Potomac.
All That Was Old Is New Again 0
In a fascinating example of history’s repeating itself, Karen Dunn and Roberta A. Kaplan explain how the increased racist militancy and violence of the New Secesh has breathed new life into the Ku Klux Klan act of 1871.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
As we are repeated reminded, a polite society is a clean society.
Again, “responsible gun owner” is an oxymoron.
Recommended Listening, It’s All about the Algorithm Dept. 0
I’m behind on my podcast listening because I am not alone in the house and I can’t bring myself to go around with earbuds in my ears all day, as I did when I pursued a solitary existence. I can be rude, but not that rude.
So I only recently listened to this episode of Bad Voltage when I took one of the cats to the vet for routine maintenance. It is a thoughtful and reasoned discussion by persons in the tech industry regarding methods by which Facebook (and, by extension, other “social” media platforms) might ameliorate the algorithmic amplification of malevolent messages.
I commend it to your attention.
The False Idol 0
Michael in Norfolk muses upon those who believe in a craven image.
They Can’t Won’t Handle the Truth
0
At The Philadelphia Inquirer, journalism professor Linn Washington Jr. looks at the continuing attempts to conceal* “critical race theory” (which, again, is not taught in schools; it’s grad school topic) and, indeed, any discussion of America’s history regarding race and racism, from school children. He concludes
Critical race theory is not an existential threat to America.
The greater threat remains continued denial of truths about racism.
Follow the link for his path to that conclusion.
_______________________
*Which, indeed, is what this is about: concealing truth in a cloud of pious, hypocritical “concern for the children.” They aren’t concerned about the children. They are concerned about their own damned white privilege.
Twits on Twitter 0
A twit who is still rising again after all these years.
