February, 2022 archive
President Sisyphus 0
Afterthought:
It does rather boggle the mind that Republicans have aligned themselves with an infectious disease as a political strategy.
“But There’s No Other Possible Explanation,” Reprise 0
Psychologist Richard Lettieri explores factors that may predispose persons to fall for embrace conspiracy theories. He identifies five specific characteristics:
- Strong group identity.
- An authoritarian disposition.
- A narrow definition of masculinity.
- Low level of epistemic rationality.
- Insecure attachment.
Follow the link for a detailed discussion of each one.
Dis Coarse (Legitimate Political) Discourse 0
The Arizona Republic‘s E. J. Montini notes that, in censuring Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger for agreeing to serve on the January 6 Committee of the House of Representatives, the notice of censure referred to the January 6 insurrection as “legitimate political discourse.” In the light of that, Montini has some questions for Republicans.
Here are two of them; follow the link for the others.
And, “Do you believe that legitimate political discourse includes defecating in the Capitol and then spreading the feces in the hallways?” Because that also took place.
Dis Coarse Discourse 0
Farron discusses the implications of defining armed insurrection as “legitimate political discourse.”
We are a failing state.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Yet another responsible gun owner shoots himself while fondling–er–cleaning a gun.
(Open tag corrected.)
A Question of Identity Politics 4
At the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Kevin McDermott has a wonder:
What do you suppose is the difference here? . . .
Follow the link for his answer.
The Litmus Test 0
Michael in Norfolk cuts to the chase.
Follow the link for his evidence.
“But There’s No Other Possible Explanation” 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Arthur Dobrin points out that conspiracies are, in a legal context, real things; persons can be charged with and convicted of conspiracies in a court of law. He suggests that these real-life conspiracies differ wildly from the many false conspiracy theories that litter our discourse and pollute our polity.
He goes on to offer some pointers for distinguishing between the two. Here’s one; follow the link for the others.
The New Gilded Age 0
Last week, I mentioned a column by Greg Kesich in which he expressed a fear that we are entering a new “Gilded Age.” At the time, I said I thought we were already well into it.
Well, my two or three regular readers, I rest my case.
