Political Theatre category archive

At the Washington Monthly, David Masciotra hears a rhyme.

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*Mark Twain.

At Psychology Today Blogs, Kenneth Barish argues that “(w)e are motivated in our political opinions first by feelings and secondarily by ideas.” I don’t know that I fully agree with him, but, given the increasingly toxic nature of dis coarse discourse, I think his article is well worth a read. Here’s a tiny bit from it:

A Supreme Court justice is not conservative because he is an “originalist” or a “strict constructionist.” He is an originalist because he is conservative. Antonin Scalia disputed this, even called it a slander, but his argument is unconvincing. Liberal justices are not liberal because they believe in a “living constitution.” They believe in a living constitution because they are liberal. For Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the starting point and core premise of her judicial philosophy was the awareness of injustice. For Scalia, the starting point was what he perceived as moral decadence in society and the need to defend traditional values. This is why Scalia and Ginsburg, friends for decades, continued to disagree.

In a longer of a longer article about Trump’s proposed tariffs, including those proposed for jurisdications that don’t have exports–or, in some cases, human inhabitants–Mike Murphy offers this insight into Donald Trump’s decision making process:

Donald Trump has never let history and facts interfere with his gut feeling and kneejerk reactions . . . .

Methinks he pretty much nails it.

Follow the link for context.

At Psychology Today Blogs, Berit Brogaard offers some pointers as to how to spot a liar.

Check it out and see whether it reminds you of anyone you know of,

It’s also a practice of Donald Trump’s true believers.

A message from a New Zealander to sane America:

From the Youtube page:

This is what many of us in other countries are feeling about the situation in the US right now. Yes, the Don won, but we know so many of you are as disgusted as we are, and concerned for your country. This song is to encourage you. We see you and know you are not him.