From Pine View Farm

The Bullies’ Pulpit 0

Sam and his crew discuss the right-wing’s demonization of LGBTQ persons, the Colorado Springs shooting, and the hypocrisy of Republicans’ reaction thereunto.

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The Standoff 0

Crowd standing at foot of steps of impressive building holding signs reading

Click for the original image.

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The Deposit 0

Honest to Pete, you can’t make this stuff up.

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The Crypto Con 0

Musical Notes
Another one bites the dust.

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QOTD 0

Jeremy Irons:

Civility, politeness, it’s like a cement in a society: binds it together. And when we lose it, then I think we all feel lesser and slightly dirty because of it.

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‘Tis the Season 0

Republican Elephant sitting on Santa's lap.   A long piece of paper dangles from his grip.  Elephant says to nonplussed looking Santa,

Via Yellowdoggranny.

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All the News that Fits, Foxy Shady Dept. 0

Scare tactics.

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A Toy Story 0

Florida Man.

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The Me Veneration 0

Donald Trump, holding a sign reading

Click to view the original image.

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“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0

Yet another incident of passing politeness:

“On scene, the complainant stated a male was driving a white Nissan Armada and pointed a gun at him, and his 5-year-old daughter, during a road rage incident,” the probable cause statement says.

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Dis Coarser Discourse 0

Arnie D. Fielkow and Tracie Washington, writing at NOLA.com, have a history of political disagreements. However, writing at NOLA.com, they report that there is one thing on which they do agree. Two snippets:

Never in our lifetimes have we experienced the level of hate, anger and hostility over our politics, economy, foreign policy, and even the meaning of democracy. Incidents of antisemitism, racism and bigotry are at frightening levels, and legitimate questions are being raised regarding what America is and really stands for. Respectful discourse has almost become a relic of the past and many are afraid — with good reason — to even express personal views.

(snip)

Clearly, the actions and dog-whistles of certain political leadership have empowered and legitimized bigots. Most thought neo-Nazis and the KKK were in the past, but frighteningly they have publicly re-emerged with new allies from QAnon, the Proud Boys, and others. Who would have ever thought that our nation’s Capitol would be attacked or, maybe worse, that some would try to justify one of the worst days in US history? Is this really the America we all want?

Meanwhile, Will Bunch offers a theory as to the underlying cause; follow the link for his complete essay:

The antisemiti, the homophobia, the violence … this isn’t the American right flexing its muscles out of strength. Quite the opposite. The forces of 400 years of white supremacy culture are like a wounded bear right now — lashing out, and extremely dangerous because its proponents know they are a seriously endangered species.

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Cored Values 0

Michael in Norfolk notes that Republicans, particularly evangelical they-call-themselves Christians have redefined “freedom of religion” to “freedom to religion.” A nugget from his article:

For many years now, the Christofascists and their puppets within the Republican Party have defined “religious freedom” to be an unfettered ability to inflict one set of religious beliefs on all of society . . . .

(Broken link fixed.)

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QOTD 0

Steve Allen:

Ideas have consequences, and totally erroneous ideas are likely to have destructive consequences.

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“Look in the Mirror, Boy” 0

A reader of the Portland Press Herald channels Pogo in her letter to the editor.

(Syntax error corexxted.)

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The Dodge 0

Two bank robbers holed up in a hotel room counting their loot.  One looks out the window and says,

Click for the original image.

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“Republicans Don’t Need Evidence” 0

Farron contemns the right-wing’s “litter boxes in school” lie and their gullible dupes, symps, and fellow travelers who buy into it.

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Twits Own Twitter 0

Elon Musk standing next to a poster bearing the Twitter bird and reading,

Click to view the original image.

Afterthought:

I spent many years as a corporate trainer, doing mostly management training. Based on how Musk has been exercising his stewardship (sewership?) of Twitter, I venture that he could benefit from the “Basic Supervisory Skills” course that I used to teach to newly promoted supervisors.

I also had the privilege to work for a number of good bosses who were an absolute pleasure to work for (and with, because a good boss knows how to make you feel as if you are working with him or her, not just for him or her); I also had three really bad ones.

I would not nominate Musk for the former category.

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Devolution 0

Methinks my old Philly friend Noz is on to something that is indeed rather disquieting.

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“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0

Yet another responsible gun owner (sic) traverses the turnpike with politeness.

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Watch What They Do, Not What They Say 0

For example.

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From Pine View Farm
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