Hypocrisy Watch category archive
The Microcosm 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Debbie Peterson suggests that George Santos is, in many ways, the personification of this New Gilded Age. A snippet:
The Pandora Papers Investigations (citation at the link–ed.) identified high-level officials, oligarchs, and billionaires from around the world who were shielded with the help of attorneys, commercial real estate brokers, title companies, banks, and company formation agents who were able to act anonymously and, in turn, obscure the identity of their clients. Corrupt overseas corporate investors operate through virtually unidentifiable shell companies and trusts, unrecorded real estate and company formation transactions, and offshore accounts. The service providers who facilitate corruption also escape regulation, supervision, and accountability.
Do please take a look at her article.
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
At the Charlotte Observer, Issac Bailey notes that we are seeing a trend of would-be oppressors claiming to be victims: Persons who wish to discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, etc., are claiming that they are the real victims of discrimination because they are not allowed to discriminate. It’s a marvelous mental mobius strip of malicious mendacity.
Bailey also notes that such claims have a long history in the United States. Here’s a bit of his article:
Now, a growing number of white conservatives and others have been making the case that being called racist or the removal or rethinking of traditional standards that had long favored them is the real discrimination.
American Exceptionalism 0
Once again, the United States sets an example that others follow.
Afterthought:
Americans need to stop kidding themselves that loftiness of the American dream somehow washes away the reality of America’s history.
“But I’m the Victim Here” 0
Right-wingers, racists, and, especially these days, evangelical they-call-themselves Christians often claim that they are being persecuted for their beliefs, they they are, to quote the cliche, “the real victims here.” Their definition of “persecution,” match, is not getting everyone else bend to their will.
At Psychology Today Blogs, Araya Baker explores why these folks portray themselves as–indeed, can convince themselves that they are–victims. It is a complex and timely article and well worth the few minutes it will take you to read it.
Muskrat Love 0
Hypocrisy much?
“Less than 12 hours later, multiple technology reporters have been suspended.”
I suspect I’m not the only person who has come to suspect (to put it rather mildly) that Elon Musk doesn’t know what the heck he is doing and also does not understand the concept of accountability, which is not surprising if one has never been held accountable for anything ever.
Afterthought:
Driftglass sees a pattern here.
Sioux City Stiffed . . . 0
. . . by a guy who’s notorious for not paying his bills.
Freedom of Screech 0
At the San Francisco Chronicle, Morgan N. Weiland argues that Elon Musk’s concept of free speech does not fit easily into the concepts of the traditional political left or political right (though the right seems to be embracing it, think primarily because of Musk’s tolerance for hate speech). Rather, Weiland suggests that it has other roots. An excerpt (emphasis added):
Instead, Musk is letting information flow, and we are drowning in it.
As an aside, it occurred to me a couple of days ago that, for all right’s concern about “cancel culture” (which is, I think, their term for “accountability”), they do not realize that they are canceling civilized discourse.
Or perhaps they do.
Empty Suits . . . 0
. . . have long been an essential element of Donald Trump’s wardrobe.
Words Matter 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Joe Pierre argues forcefully that violent political rhetoric leads (or, perhaps more accurately, has already led) to actual violence.
He also notes a double standard in dis coarse discourse:
Follow the link for his article.
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*I would argue that it was not a gaffe. Ill-expressed, perhaps, but not a gaffe.
If One Standard Is Good, Two Must Be Better 0
Methinks David’s first caller has a point. (The second caller discusses the looming water crisis in the American southwest and is also worth hearing.)
A Notion of Immigrants, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Dept. 0
At my local rag, Tom Wallace reminds us that theft of labor is as American as apple pie (though he does not use that precise term).
After reminding us of America’s original sin of chattel slavery, theft of labor at its most brazen, he discusses the Reagan era escape clause for those who wish to employ exploit undocumented immigrants. An excerpt (emphasis added):
But how could millions of undocumented immigrants avoid deportation? The answer: Congress created the necessary legislation. The Reagan administration’s Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 made it illegal to recruit or hire undocumented immigrants. However, it also provided a loophole for employers to hire while not violating the law by simply neglecting to ask or verify citizenship.
And, ironically, those who most willing to exploit undocumented immigrants seem to also be those most willing to demonize them when it suits their fancy . . . .
Twits on Twitter 0
I see two primary issues with depending on “social” media for news.
One is the number of persons who make/fake stuff up.
The other is persons who are willing to believe stuff simply because they believe in all the news that fits–their preconceptions, that is.
I have many secondary issues, but methinks those are the primary ones.
Afterthought:
Of course, this leads to (not, for heaven’s sake, “begs”) the question, who’s more culpable, the person who sets the trap or the sucker who falls into it? Given that it’s become obvious that “social” media, is–er–not necessarily a reliable source of information, I vote for the latter.
The person who puts out fake is vile and craven, true, but the person who falls for it at a glance is worse.
That person is stupid.
