Hate Sells category archive
The Hurricane Disinformation Hurricane 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Susan A. Nolan and Michael Kimball look at the swirl of falsehoods that followed hurricanes Helene and Milton and at the reasons some persons allowed themselves to be swept up in the cyclone of claptrap. They also offer some suggestions for preparing a storm cellar in which to shelter from the stormers.
In view of the amount of traffic on the disinformation superhighway, I find it a worthwhile read.
“They Want Apartheid Back” 0
Thom talks with a caller about why some people vote Republican, even though Republicans’ “policies” are inimical to their health and well-being. He offers a simple explanation.
As someone who grew up under Jim Crow and remembers my Daddy making sure he had paid his poll taxes, who was in school during desegregation, who trained in U. S. History with an emphasis on U. S. Southern, and who freaking pays attention to what’s going on, I find it difficult to take exception to Thom’s argument.
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
Jackie Calmes makes a compelling case that Donald Trump has shown us who he really is many times.
The question is, “Are enough people paying attention?”
“The Good Old Days” 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Eva M. Krockow takes a look at what she calls “declinism,” which I would loosely describe as the notion that the world is going to hell in a handbasket coupled with a yearning for the mythical good old days. She suggests that this feeling is can be fed by news reporting, which quite naturally focuses on stuff that goes wrong, and by politicians seeking to appeal to persons’ fears and unease. She closes her piece with some suggestions as to how to avoid declining into declinism.
A couple of snippets (emphasis added):
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One example of political declinism includes the Brexit campaign slogan “Take Back Control,” which implied the need to regain sovereignty to prevent further decline. Another example is Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign slogan “Make America Great Again,” which suggested that things were better in the past.
Methinks this a timely read.
Afterthought:
You might ask some Brits how Brexit is working out is working out for them. (Hint: It isn’t.)
A Notion of Immigrants 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Joseph A. Shrand considers why so many would dehumanize those from other countries and cultures, aka “aliens.” Here’s a tiny bit from his essay; follow the link for the complete article.
The Appeal 0
Grung_e_Gene offers a theory as to Trump’s appeal.
Methinks he’s onto something. Follow the link for his reasoning.
Establishmentarians 0
Truthout reports that the states of doctrinal indoctrination may soon have some days in court.
Image via Job’s Anger.
Afterthought:
Suppose I spec a product for purchase. Then suppose that said spec can be only satisfied by one supplier, though the basic product is available from many sources at much lower prices.
Is it conceivable that my specifications might be viewed with suspici–oh, never mind.
The Invalid Syllogism 0
Michael in Norfolk is perplexed.
More perplexity at the link.
The Perpetual Prejudice 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Allison Abrams takes a deep dive into the roots and fruits of antisemitism over the ages. She notes that
While antisemitism has worn many faces throughout history, its underlying characteristics of scapegoating, conspiracy, and dehumanization remain. Each era may bring new rhetoric and justifications, but the core narrative remains unchanged.
Now, it’s not my area of scholarship, but, I must say, I’m not sure that I agree with everything she says. Nevertheless, given events both domestic and foreign, I think the entire article is very much worth a read.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
At the Hartford Courant, Robert Helfand argues forcefully that the coverage of J. D. Vance’s and Donald Trump’s lies about Haitian immigrants is missing the point. Here’s how he opens his article (emphasis added); follow the link to read the rest.
The Parody Party 0
Cliif Schecter argues that the Republicans no longer have a party.
They have a parody.
Via C&L, which has commentary.
“One Ring To Bind Them All . . . .” 0
Calvin McNeill, in a letter to the editor of the Las Vegas Sun, offers a theory as to the common denominator of Trumpism.
Methinks he’s onto something.
Suffer the Children 0
Apparently, that’s a Republican Family Value.
The Playbook 0
Writing at Psychology Today Blogs, Mark D. White looks to the Marvel Universe, particularly to a recent Captain America series, to draw lessons about how fascism works. He identifies three steps in the process; follow the link to see whether they remind you in any way of dis coarse discourse.
1. Inventing a “Mythic Past”
2. Setting “Us” Against “Them”
3. Presenting a “Strongman”
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
PoliticalProf decodes de code.
Republican Thought Police, Reprise 0
Thom argues that the Republican Thought Police fear ideas, fear history, fear truth.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
The Des Moines Register’s Rekha Basu highlights the hypocrisy of Donald Trump’s fear mongering about those from foreign shores. Here’s a tiny bit:
Follow the link for a link to the Esquire story and more Trumpian hypocrisy (of which there seems an unending supply).
