Trouble in Paradise 0
The Guardian provides in-depth reporting on the Paradise Papers.
There are multiple articles about them, the reaction to them, and their implications at the link.
Science, Schmience 0
Mike comments on Scott Pruitt’s war on science at the EPA and points out the the doublespeak is strong in Pruitt (warning: Mike gets somewhat heated).
William D. Ruckelshaus, ex-EPA administrator, has more.
The Toll of Trumpled Truth 0
At Der Spiegel, Roger Cohen mediates on the dangers of Trumpery. A snippet:
I actually remember shrugging. And it was the shrug that was terrifying. This is how autocrats – or would-be autocrats – cement their power. They wear you down. They take you down the rabbit hole. They want you to hear the great leader declare that 2+2=5 – and shrug.
Hollow Hearts and Empty Prayers 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Arthur Dobrin explores the hollow hypocrisy of “thoughts and prayers.” A snippet”
If all we say is “sorry for your loss” when that loss isn’t addressed by action that prevents further deaths, then the expressions of sympathy can actually be harmful. Saying isn’t the same as doing. Saying the right words may make the speaker feel good but it only helps if there is some action attached to it.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
The hunt for politeness continues.
The wounded hunter was hit in the leg and was taken to a Tracy hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
No charges have been filed as everyone was wearing “blaze orange” and (I admit the following is my own addition, because I know how to shoot) stupid is not a crime. Bullets carry (a .22 will carry for a mile), and it is stupid not to make sure your shot is clear both before and after the target.
“. . . and Provide for the General Welfare.” 0
Shorter Badtux: “Yeah. Right.’
Shamed by the Bell 0
In the silence between the third and fourth movements of the first piece, as the conductor raised his baton, the cell phone rang from somewhere in the back of the concert hall. The conductor stood, motionless, as he and the musicians waited in silence for quiet to return.
Fortunately, I had remembered to mute my phone, so it wasn’t me.
Afterthought:
Later, as I returned from intermission, I remarked to the usher, who was quietly ushering in the hallway, “I’m glad I muted my cell phone.”
He was still laughing as I reentered the auditorium.
A Matter of Lives 0
Writing in The Charlotte Observer, Tiffany Capers describes her own first #metoo moment, then moves a new topic to the discussion. Here’s an excerpt, in which she highlights some hypocrisy.
Do please read the rest.
Click for the original image.Tin-Pot Trumpery 0
We are doomed.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Politeness takes practice.
Authorities said the victim was shot in the chest and died at the scene.
Light Bloggery 0
Things to do.
Predators on the Prowl 0
Jessica Valenti suggests that predatory behavior, far from being penalized, is too often rewarded. A snippet:
For too long, we’ve lauded men’s domination and aggressiveness as a sign of leadership rather than possible red flags. When men talk over everyone else in a room, we call it confidence rather than entitlement. If they berate others in meetings, we call them powerful and passionate, not bullying. And when they treat women at work differently than they do men, we’re told that they’re not sexist – they’re just “old-school.”
If One Standard Is Good, Two Must Be Better 0
Andres Oppenheimer notes a contrast:
Follow the link for the complete article.
The Axman Cometh 0
Paul Krugman has the details. Here’s a nugget:
Oh, wait — did you think I was talking about Donald Trump? I’m talking about Paul Ryan, the speaker of the House, an obvious phony who nonetheless convinced the rubes — that is, much of the news media and the political establishment — that he was a brilliant fiscal expert. What we’re witnessing now is the end of the charade, the political equivalent of what happened when graduates of Trump University tried to get some value in return for their money.
Rule of Lawless, One More Time 0
Peter Baker takes a look at Donald Trump’s recent belittling of law enforcement. The whole article is worth a read, but I think the introduction sums up the key bit (emphasis added):
In other words, he’s mad because he can’t get his way.
Follow the link to see why I said that.