From Pine View Farm

Woke to the Misdirection Play 0

In an article about the failure of Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), Jamelle Bouie gets to the gist of the “woke” misdirection play (emphasis added).

. . . there is no evidence that any diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives were responsible for the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank. It is nonsense. And while it shouldn’t be taken seriously on its own terms, this deflection is worth noting for what it represents: the relentless effort to mystify real questions of political economy in favor of endless culture war conflict.

Follow the link to the article, where Boule delves into what really happened at SVB.

Share

Speeding to Crazytown on the Disinformation Superhighway 0

Sam and Emma talk with Daily Beast reporter Will Sommer about how conspiracy theories, from Jade Helm to Pizzagate to QAnon, have taken hold with more and more Republicans.

Share

The White-Washing 0

Why am I not surprised?

A Florida textbook publisher removed all references to race from a lesson about Rosa Parks, the Alabama civil rights hero, in an effort to get its books approved by a Florida committee, The New York Times reported Thursday.

. . . which is, natch, exactly what the New Secesh want: to pretend–and to teach the children–that the past never happened.

Full story at the link.

Share

QOTD 0

Quentin Crisp:

Euphemisms are unpleasant truths wearing diplomatic cologne.

Share

A Tune for the Times 0

(Warning: Mild language.)

Share

The Legacy 0

Man and womon looking at smoking train wreck labeled

Click to view the original image.

Share

The New Gilded Age 0

Michael in Norfolk argues that today’s Republican Party is quite happy to see the return of–nay, to usher in–the New Gilded Age. Here’s a bit from his post (emphasis added):

I have an even bigger problem with politicians – i.e., Republicans – who want to slash the social safety net (as well as Social Security and Mediare) so they can fund ever larger tax breaks to the very wealthy. Indeed, it’s as if they want recreate the era of the robber barons of the Gilded Age . . . .

I cannot find a way with which to take issue with his remarks, he said convolutedly.

Also, too.

Share

Riding with a Racist 0

New York Daily News columnist Leonard Greene tells the story of a bus ride with an unpleasant companion.

Just read it for yourself.

But, be forewarned, it’s a truly appalling tale.

Share

“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0

As every oxymoronic responsible gun owner knows, politeness takes practice.

Share

In Translation 0

Finally! Someone has come up with a reasonable definition of the right-wing’s favorite new pejorative

Yastreblyansky offers a definition of “woke.”

Share

Stray Question 0

Does this description remind you of anyone in the news?

Share

QOTD 0

Edmund Crispin, in the voice of Gervase Fen:

You think it’s best to let sleeping dogs lie. Only sooner or later, you know, they wake up on their own accord . . . .

Crispin, Edmund, “The Drowning of Edgar Foley,” Fen Country (London: Bloomsbury, 2013) p. 34

Share

Recommended Listening 0

Bob Cesca’s interview with King Cyborg.

King Cyborg is a musician and a gay woman from Angola, who fled her native country because of the bigotry and persecution she faced there, only to arrive here in this “nation of immigrants” at a time when bigotry and hate-fullness seem on the rise.

I commend Bob’s and her discussion to your attention, as what she faced in her native country is what some in this nation, those whom Michael in Norfolk refers to as “Christofascists,” would like to see this country become.

Share

The Future of Education 0

Title:  The Dorm.  Two college students walk into their dorm room.  One looks at the scene and says,

Click to view the original image.

We are doomed.

Share

The Feral Beast 0

Caption:  Cocaine Bear.  Image:  Bear labeled

Click to view the original image and the artist’s commentary.

Share

The Hunger Gamer 0

Minnesota Republican state Senator Steve Drazkowski explains why he opposes a bill to provide free breakfast and lunch to school children.

In related news, there are none so blind as those who refuse to look.

Video via C&L, which has commentary.

Aside:

Today’s Republican Party is a vile and loathsome thing.

Share

“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0

Yet another random act of politeness.

We are a broken society.

Only a broken society would choose to live with carnage.

Share

The Stormy Next Time 0

As Chris Williams explains at Above the Law, in Trump world, the truth isn’t.

It’s real spaghetti reasoning, so just follow the link for the untangling.

Share

Twits on Twitter 0

Methinks said twits doth protest too much.

Share

Republican Family Values Go to the Pharmacy 0

Pharmacist says to woman at counter, which bears a

Via Job’s Anger.

Share