Political Theatre category archive
Bush League 0
Trudy Rubin explains why Trump is not even close.
But Where Are the Trolls?
Send in the Trolls.
Don’t Bother, They’re Here.
0
In a long and thoughtful piece, Josh Marshall explains why he sees the Trump-Russia investigation and the issue of Russian bots on the Zuckerborg heading for a collision. He delivers this trenchant observation almost as an aside:
He goes on to expand on this theme later in the article:
Facebook is so accustomed to treating its ‘internal policies’ as though they were something like laws that they appear to have a sort of blind spot that prevents them from seeing how ridiculous their resistance sounds. To use the cliche, it feels like a real shark jumping moment. As someone recently observed, Facebook’s ‘internal policies’ are crafted to create the appearance of civic concerns for privacy, free speech, and other similar concerns. But they’re actually just a business model.
Marshall also senses a rising public resentment against the intrusiveness of “Big Data.”
Follow the link. It’s worth your while.
Blood in the Water 0
Thom discusses how Republican obstructionism and denial of climate change led directly to increasing Harvey’s toll on Houston.
Aside:
Thom is incorrect about why Amtrak cannot run high-speed trains between D. C. and New York. Amtrak does own the track from Washington to Boston. It can’t run higher speed trains because the government won’t fund the necessary improvements.
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“Normalization” Nonsense 0
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph.
I recently subscribed to the Sunday New York Times. It’s a week’s worth of good and challenging reading.
But, as Farron points out, its writer got this one wrong (and journalists sometimes get stuff wrong–it happens, live with it).
No amount of face paint can turn Donald Trump into anything other than a racist poseur.
The Pushers and the Pushees 0
In a lengthy article at The American Scholar, physician and journalist David Brown explores the genesis and state of the prescription opioid* problem in the United States. He traces the history of it in terms of evolving attitudes towards the treatment of pain and patients’ perception of pain in the medical profession and in society and ends with some recommendations.
I’m not sure how much I buy the recommendations, but, given the growing problem, I commend the article to your attention. Here’s a bit:
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*Remember, when Not White people do it, it’s simply “drug addiction” and get them off the streets.
Flat Out Denial 0
Dick Polman applauds while deriding Florida Governor Scott on Irma and climate change. A snippet; follow the link for the rest (emphasis added).
Misdirection Play, DACA Dept. 0
Robert Reich wonders why Trump tossed DACA into the mix when the Republicans have already demonstrated that they can’t get anything done.
“I Know I Am but What Are You?” 0
John Diaz considers Donald Trump’s reflexive response to criticism.
Where’s the Buck? 0
Pap and Ed Schultz discuss Donald Trump’s DACA dodge. Their conclusion may surprise you.
Ryan’s Derp 0
Farron reports the Paul Ryan has trouble on his right flank.
“The Plain Light of Day” 0
Peter St. Onge, writing at The Charlotte Observer, suggests that that is the one thing that whiteright-wing policies cannot survive.
The Trumpled Budget Deal 0
Josh Marshall tries to understand why Trump cut a budget deal with Democrats. He concludes that it is completely consistent with Marshall’s theory that Trump thrives on dominance. A snippet:
But the political or ideological manifestations are secondary to the personal one. Trump needs to dominate people. Clearly Trump felt that McConnell and Ryan are not serving him well enough or loyally enough or both. So he lashed out or tried to damage them. Schumer and Pelosi were simply the most convenient cudgels available.
Follow the link for more.