Too Venal for Words category archive
Republican Thought Police 0
The EFF argues that (emphasis added)
(snip)
The right to speak anonymously is essential. It preserves privacy and shields critics from government retaliation. In the past year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued grand jury subpoenas to social media companies for their users’ personal data. This is frequently done for improper purposes and without really showing that social media users have committed any crime. These subpoenas have the effect of intimidating and chilling critics, as immigration authorities have engaged in invasive, unconstitutional, and sometimes violent conduct.
Republican Family Values 0
Know them by the persons they vote for.
Republican Family Values 0
Apparently, sacrificing animals on the altar of mammon is now a Republican family value.
Russian Impulses 0
Trudy Rubin argues that Donald Trump is surrendering to Vlad the Invader. Here’s how she starts her column; follow the link for the rest.
The U.S. president demanded that Ukraine “replace” President Volodymyr Zelensky with someone willing to make “a deal” with the Kremlin to (supposedly) end the war. Yet the “deal” that Trump envisions would not end Russia’s aggression but would reward it.
Your Tax Dollars at Work 0
Farron discusses Donald Trump’s latest attempt to bribe voters.
Emoluments 0
Sharon Zhang follows the money.
The Art of the Deal 0
Donald Trump wants to spread his taint on the Kennedy Center. Via C&L, it’s gone pretty much like everything else Donald Trump has done. A snippet:
Follow the link for the evidence.
Influencer Idiocy 0
A “content” creator who “creates content” by assaulting people . . . .
(snip)
In the video, a person can be seen throwing a cheesesteak at an employee at the South Philadelphia restaurant.
The creator said he reviews restaurants and throws the food at employees if he doesn’t like it.
Yet another instance of “social” media rewarding antisocial behavior.
We are a society of stupid.
A Toddler Playing Soldier–with Real Soldiers 0
Thom looks at the havoc that Pete Hegseth is wreaking on America’s military and exposes the backstory.
Real Big Men 0
Via the Hartford Courant, military veteran Peter Kilduff looks at Pete Hegseth’s testosterone fetish and finds himself moved to poesy:
Follow the link for context.
Influencer Idiocy 0
Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! of mean for the sake of mean.
Froma Harrop has more on “influencers” . . . .
One more time, “social” media isn’t.
Indeed, it seems increasingly antisocial.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
An accessory after the fact? How about taking a peek under the coverup.
Bread and Circuses, Reprise
0
At the Hartford Courant, Thomas Cangelosi muses on what the word “great” seems to mean to Trump and the Trumpettes. A snippet (emphasis added):
But these first principles have been deflated by Trump’s inflated idea of “great.” His idea of great is a big, gaudy spectacle.
Who Can You Trust? 0
Mark Hermann warns us not to choose wrongly, like these persons did.