Fatal Attraction, American Stasi Dept. 0
At the Psychology Today website, Guy P. Harrison explores the attraction of fascism. Here’s his list of the characteristics of fascist regimes; I think it will sound familiar.
- Authoritarian style leadership
- Simplistic symbolism and mass rallies
- Extreme, pathological patriotism
- Anger over the loss of an idealized past that never existed
- Exploitation of racist fears and racial divisions
- Overt politicization of law enforcement
- Call for “traditional” hierarchical gender roles at the expense of women’s rights/opportunities
- Military aggression against other countries and territories
- Undermining of elections and democratic values
- Overt corruption
- Restrictions and attacks on the free press
- Heavy use of lying and propaganda
- Editing of history to promote accommodating myths and minimize the real histories of marginalized people
I commend his article to your attention as a worthwhile read in these times in which truth, justice, and the American way are being Trumpled from within.
Artificial? Yes. Intelligent? Not So Much. 0
A competent copywriter? It can make Donald Trump look coherent.
War and Mongers of War 0
Mary Trump looks at what Donald Trump’s (undeclared, unplanned, and unthoughtout) war of choice on Iran is costing American citizens and America’s credibility.
American Stasi . . . 0
. . . demonstrate every day the reality of Republican family values.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Another “responsible gun owner” performs a random act of politeness.
The Resegregationist 0
Via the Las Vegas Sun, Carlos De Loera posits that the reason for Donald Trump’s attack on birth-right citizenship is quite obivious:
Follow the link for his reasoning.
A Litany of Lies 0
The Washington Post’s slogan was once “Democracy dies in darkness” (at least until Jeff Bezos decided that he liked darkness). Thom argues that democracy also dies in lies, then goes on to list lies that Republicans tell and have told for years without the press’s calling out their lying.
It’s All about the Algorithm 0
At the Psychology Today website, philosophy professor Peg O’Connor compares the working of “social” media algorithms to the call of the Sirens of Greek mythology.
Her article focuses on TikTok, primarily because of a recent lawsuit. She points out that, because of TikTok’s algorithm, “(i)n a very short amount of time, a person can move from being a causal user of the app to a heavy user.”
I think it applies to all the “social” media sites that use algorithms to tailor content to your eyeballs, which, as far as I know, is all of them. Methinks it a worthwhile read.
And, remember, you don’t use “social” media; “social” media uses you.
Horsing Around 0
For sure he won’t be riding in the Derby.
Immunity Impunity, the Rule of Lawless Dept.
0
Via the Charlotte Observer, Jill Burcum looks at how the Trump maladministration is thwarting Minnesota authorities’ attempts to probe ICE’s shootings of Alex Pretti, Renee and Nicole Good, not to mention others who have received less publicity, and comes to a disturbing conclusion (emphasis added):
Follow the link to learn why she came to that conclusion.
The Rule of Lawless, Republican Family Values Dept. 0
Mary Trump explores how the Trump maladministration is corroding the Department of Justice.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
And another “responsible gun owner” exposes a portable phallus to a child.
The Kansas Bureau of Investigation said preliminary information indicates that a young child picked up a loaded, unsecured shotgun and fired it, shooting the two children.
One more time, “responsible gun owner” is an oxymoron.