Political Tribalism

[dneal]

Some years ago a conservative leaning person wrote an essay on Tribes (https://pjmedia.com/ejectejecteject/2009/10/07/tribes-2-n179588). It was in response to Hurricane Katrina, and was just really venting his frustration at the disfunctionality and blaming. Still, there are many poignant themes he gets right. The "tribes" metaphor is apt to a large extent.

This morning I watched this 8-ish minute clip. They're describing current society in terms of tribes, in the context of a study about current political tribalism (primarily in the U.S.). I found it worthwhile.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=UJgVZF0CRiI

I was curious about the study they mentioned briefly, and found the .pdf here (https://hiddentribes.us/media/qfpekz4g/hidden_tribes_report.pdf). I've skimmed it (it's 150 pages, but not terribly long and has a lot of charts). There's plenty to debate, and sociological research based on polling is inherently problematic simply because it attempts to generalize unique individuals into categories. It becomes a bit like reading horoscopes instead of using your birthday to figure out what your astrological sign is... Depending on the topic, I'm anywhere between traditional liberal and traditional conservative. I'm patriotic, but not religious, for example; so what group am I in? I suspect others will have similar problems, but it's still interesting enough that I'll give it a more thorough look.

I would be interested to read your thoughts, and there are lots of sub-topics because it is an incredibly complex issue. I would recommend starting with the video, and moving on to the written pieces only if you're really interested.

[Chuck Naill]

I really don’t think you have a clue

[Chuck Naill]

I really don’t think you have a clue. After all, you chose not to vote.

[dneal]

Chuck - I posted two threads, one immediately following the other.

One was this thread. Like my responses to EoC (who said he wanted thoughtful discussion in the Malone discussion), there's plenty of opportunity for opposing views. What did I get? A link and crickets (until your responses).

The other was the "Trump was right" thread. Nothing but an assertion, but "inflammatory" simply because it had the orange one's name in it. A troll thread, or troll bait?

Who responded to which thread, when presented the option? Manner of response?

It's telling.

[Chuck Naill]

Was your intent to troll ?

You didn’t vote and didn’t vote for Trump. Why even start a thread unless you’re fishing. We all know your game. 😂😂

[dneal]

Sorry Chuck. You’ve already outed yourself.

[Chuck Naill]

Man, what a waste of time. 😢

[dneal]

For EoC, TSherbs and Chuck.

Topic is still here. Political Tribalism. 8 minutes of your time, playing in the background while you make coffee or something anyway.

There's a document linked, for those that like that sort of thing. I've certainly posted enough text to offer an initial opinion easily open to critique.

Do you guys want conversation or not?

[TSherbs]

Just to be clear: not with you, no.

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[dneal]

No need to clarify, it has been apparent for some time now.

[Chuck Naill]

So, nonsense aside, I came across this and thought I would share. Perhaps we all need a lesson in the art of disagreement. I feel, unlike @dneal, there is no win attempt or requirement. When you consider Lewis was a WW1 survivor, it may have allowed him to savior rather than battle his opponents of debate.
https://isi.org/intercollegiate-review/c-s-lewis-and-the-art-of-disagreement/

[dneal]

Chuck, I don't know how many times I've told you I'm not interested in "winning". That would be easy. I'd just post some nonsense, a link, and harrumph to myself and declare victory. There are no refs or scoreboards here. No one can win unless they assume they have or another admits defeat. It's an Internet forum. There is no prize for "winning".

I've been around here a bit longer than you, but we've actually had very good discussions here - until someone with low emotional stability gets triggered. The Post Your Contentious Virus Posts Here (https://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/31087-Post-your-Contentious-Virus-Posts-Here) thread did relatively fine. It's curious who the first troll was to show up though (hint: see post #4).

Even better was RNHC's Definition of Christian (https://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/15545-Definition-of-Christian) thread. It wasn't until the denominational zealots showed up that it went wrong, but not badly.

Now look at Corniche's I Can't Fathom This Election (https://fpgeeks.com/forum/showthread.php/32672-I-Cannot-Fathom-This-Election) thread. Didn't make it past the first post. No one was able to comment on Trump's policies - just the routine nonsensical smears. I was genuinely interested. I offered examples, even for our international friends. NATO spending, for example. And the mob came rushing out of their echo-chamber...

Aside from your attempt to insult and disrupt (post #2), I assume you still haven't watched or listened. It already addresses the issue of why we can't have discussion. When you are willing to spend some time (8 minutes and 48 seconds), I'll read your C.S. Lewis link.

[Chuck Naill]

I don’t watch or listen to videos.

Your vernacular says you think it’s a game and winning is important.

In the “definition of a Christian” you got yourself into a pissing contest with EOC.

In the 2020 these you tried to conflate influenza with Covid-19.

The November 2020 thread is were you stated popular vote was not important and previous, acted like you knew more than most Americans.

So, perhaps it’s soothing to post.

My only reason for posting it to provide an alternative view.

[dneal]

Ok, i dont read links then. Thanks for playing.

[Chuck Naill]

That’s fine with me, but did you just make that decision?

Videos require more time.

Instead of just posting a video with arrogant expectations, give us the “cliff notes” version. Are you familiar with “cliff notes”?

[TSherbs]

So, nonsense aside, I came across this and thought I would share. Perhaps we all need a lesson in the art of disagreement. I feel, unlike @dneal, there is no win attempt or requirement. When you consider Lewis was a WW1 survivor, it may have allowed him to savior rather than battle his opponents of debate.
https://isi.org/intercollegiate-review/c-s-lewis-and-the-art-of-disagreement/

Thanks for this. In the spirit of the article, and in relevant connection to its thesis, I will say, "Sir, I disagree with it."

But since I disagree with the premise of the primacy of disputation, I will not dispute it. ;)

[dneal]

That’s fine with me, but did you just make that decision?

Videos require more time.

Instead of just posting a video with arrogant expectations, give us the “cliff notes” version. Are you familiar with “cliff notes”?

I know what they are, but I read the entire book instead. Since you're familiar, I assume you use them regularly? It would explain much.

Anyway, if you look around that picture of the video, you'll see more of these strange characters before and after. Maybe there's something in there.

I am a little incredulous that you don't have 9 minutes to spare listening. How in the world are you doing so much reading? Hell, you probably spent more time looking through the other threads, just to come up with a nonsense description/characterization that focused on me. You forgot to insert some variation of "TRUMPIST!!!", by the way.

You don't have to watch - it's just two Ph.D.'s in biology describing their environment now that everybody is an expert on "science", and how conversation has become impossible because most everyone is divided into tribes. You like listening to intelligent people converse, I seem to remember you saying. There are two demonstrably intelligent people having a conversation. Under 10 minutes, and you wasted much more time than that making excuses about why you won't watch/listen. Color me surprised.

[Chuck Naill]

Why get pissed because I don’t bend to your will? That’s rather immature or self centered.

I read to learn. I don’t waste time with your video posts because I don’t respect your ability to post something objective.

[dneal]

Chuck, I don’t care enough about any of this to ”get pissed”, bend you to my will, or whatever delusion you come up with next.

So keep wasting time telling me how you’re not going to waste time.

[ethernautrix]

My friend Greg Nagan wrote a blog post on this subject yesterday. Actually, it's about "(a) project at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics has been looking into the polarization of American culture and politics in the hopes of finding an antidote" and cites the results of a poll (which findings might or might not be properly substantiated but are interesting nevertheless -- and alarming if true).

https://www.amerikansketilstande.dk/2021/10/05/american-bogeymen/

Greg concludes, for those not interested in following links, that the political divide won't be mended by the political machinery (including media) but by individuals who overcome the relentless messaging from the "machine." (That's totally my quick and careless paraphrasing, btw. Łapa wants to go out. Biedna Łapa!)

[dneal]

My friend Greg Nagan wrote a blog post on this subject yesterday. Actually, it's about "(a) project at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics has been looking into the polarization of American culture and politics in the hopes of finding an antidote" and cites the results of a poll (which findings might or might not be properly substantiated but are interesting nevertheless -- and alarming if true).

https://www.amerikansketilstande.dk/2021/10/05/american-bogeymen/

Greg concludes, for those not interested in following links, that the political divide won't be mended by the political machinery (including media) but by individuals who overcome the relentless messaging from the "machine." (That's totally my quick and careless paraphrasing, btw. Łapa wants to go out. Biedna Łapa!)

Similar polarization data as the paper referred to in the video, and linked in the OP. A lot of it would be solved with a correction of Federal power more in line with the Constitution. It was never intended to be this large, powerful (and not to mention wasteful or corrupt). We talk about "sanctuary" cities or states, and these ideas are usually initiated by liberals (although conservatives use the tactic now too). That's precisely the point of State's rights (10th Amendment). Want recreational weed? State voters approve? Sorry, the FDA says it's a schedule I drug and you can't do that. An executive bureaucracy outlawed a thing through a "rule", and the federal government will claim that power in the supremacy clause trumps the 10th Amendment.

So everyone fights over power wielded by a President and Federal government for all sorts of reasons, and we surprisingly get polarization over time. If that power is restored to the States, the national fights we have now would be unimportant.

[TSherbs]

My friend Greg Nagan wrote a blog post on this subject yesterday. Actually, it's about "(a) project at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics has been looking into the polarization of American culture and politics in the hopes of finding an antidote" and cites the results of a poll (which findings might or might not be properly substantiated but are interesting nevertheless -- and alarming if true).

https://www.amerikansketilstande.dk/2021/10/05/american-bogeymen/

Greg concludes, for those not interested in following links, that the political divide won't be mended by the political machinery (including media) but by individuals who overcome the relentless messaging from the "machine." (That's totally my quick and careless paraphrasing, btw. Łapa wants to go out. Biedna Łapa!)

Actually, I thought that this writer was calling for Biden simply to *ask* for unity. He said that the president could heal this divide. Didn't he even write out the words that Biden should use? That was my take-away. And actually, the tenor of the scripted speech reminded me of the tenor of Biden's victory acceptance speech back in 2020.

Anyway, thanks for sharing this.

[Chip]

Living in Wyoming (roughly 80% voted for Trump) I'm surrounded by people who disagree with my politics quite strenuously. The guy who rents our former house nearby works at a weapons plant and wears t-shirts with slogans like SOCIALISM KILLS! Still, we've never had an argument, which has taken restraint on both sides. I see him as decent, if misguided, and respect him for it.

I vote my convictions, donate to candidates and causes I support, and tend mostly to associate with people who share my beliefs (tribal, perhaps). But we share more than just political affiliations. At times, I've been attacked for representing values other than those of Wyoming, to which I reply (with a grin) that I was born here. Where are you from? Nebraska? Texas? California?

The idea that living in a place means one has to adopt a slate of values and opinions that fit some vague concept is tribal in the extreme, but I see it a lot hereabouts. If I couldn't coexist with people who claim to hate me and all I represent, I wouldn't be able to survive.

[TSherbs]

Chip, you remind me of how "tribal" our federal system of states and their various identity politics can be, even though within the states there can be a variety of political and cultural points of view. We get powerful reminders of this when politicians try to tape into state tribal identities to activate and win over voters. Additionally, our Electoral College voting mechanism amplifies these issues.

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[Chuck Naill]

I observed that if you do the right things, sooner or later you’ll win over the radicals. Just anecdotal of course.

[Chuck Naill]

I just finished reading this weeks column by David Brooks where he discribes Essentialism. I was reminded how I put Trumpians or Anti-Vaccine people in a context that is a construct of my own making. So, I apologize and will try not to continue.

As he said, he wouldn't want to live in a world without groups of people who share a common experience or relationship. However, when we begin to think our groups is the only one that is important or that we are superior, we get that German Christians are superior to German Jews or that white people are superior to brown and black skinned people.

We know, if we think about it that not all Trump or Biden supporters are the same, think the same, have the same motive, etc.

When the media is slammed for putting out fake news, we should know that this cannot be true, but we think it, or some think it. It is like being critical of "big pharma" when we know these corporations are not all the same, research the same, or have the same leadership. Brooks quoted Kant "perception without conceptions are blind".

Perhaps we can change.

[Cookedj]

Living in Wyoming (roughly 80% voted for Trump) I'm surrounded by people who disagree with my politics quite strenuously. The guy who rents our former house nearby works at a weapons plant and wears t-shirts with slogans like SOCIALISM KILLS! Still, we've never had an argument, which has taken restraint on both sides. I see him as decent, if misguided, and respect him for it.

I vote my convictions, donate to candidates and causes I support, and tend mostly to associate with people who share my beliefs (tribal, perhaps). But we share more than just political affiliations. At times, I've been attacked for representing values other than those of Wyoming, to which I reply (with a grin) that I was born here. Where are you from? Nebraska? Texas? California?

The idea that living in a place means one has to adopt a slate of values and opinions that fit some vague concept is tribal in the extreme, but I see it a lot hereabouts. If I couldn't coexist with people who claim to hate me and all I represent, I wouldn't be able to survive.

I enjoy having civil discussions with people that don't think like me. While there are teachers in my building that push their flavor of politics, I try and get the students to critically think about the issues, look at different perspectives etc. As conservative as I am, I don't like to continually listen to only conservative talk radio. BTW I loved visiting Wyoming, so beautiful.

[TSherbs]

When social media makes more money by stirring up factional and "tribal" tensions (and they do make more money this way), don't expect them to do otherwise on their own volition.

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[Chip]

I grew up in a "conservative" household—my dad was in the John Birch Society (extreme)—and I was bombarded with right-wing propaganda. Then, as I finished high school, I began to realize that the stuff I'd been taught to believe was mostly dead wrong. The dire predictions (takeover by the Chinese communists, domination by the UN, a race war) never took place. As I went through university, I concluded that so-called conservatives were mostly reactionary, racist, and divorced from reality by their beliefs and the sources of information they chose, along with a self-justifying greed and sense of entitlement.

The breaking point for me was the constant right-wing support for wars, based on lies and profiteering: Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq, all those police actions. Calling that constant destruction and mayhem patriotic is to me, the essence of evil. Right up there with slavery.

[dneal]

When social media makes more money by stirring up factional and "tribal" tensions (and they do make more money this way), don't expect them to do otherwise on their own volition.

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The main stream media too.

[Chuck Naill]

Overgeneralization IMHO. Any rational person should be able to read a newspaper or listen to a reputable news story and determine whether it is factual or not.

Obviously Trump and some support the false narritive that he won the election. So, if a reasonably intellgent person wanted to know whether this is true or false, there are several ways to find out the truth. One need not depend on one source.

A member said they were being asked by their students why some Federal employees were exempt from the Biden vaccine mandate. I was able to find that the separation of powers in the Constitution was the reason in less than 30 seconds. Now, why would an educator not be able to do the same? Why would they say they don't know, if they did?

It appears our libraries, online and physical structures, are being ignored and replaced by FB and YouTube. And, grouping all media as biased is pure nonsense. You just have to learn how to read and listen. As my old college librarian used to say when students would ask her to do their research, "educaton requires rigor". We have become lazy and used to being spoon fed food that does not required being chewed.

Lets discuss this story about raising the debt limit. We hear some say they don't want to pay for socialists programs. When you do a bit of research you discover the reason is to pay for what you have already spent.

[Chip]

Lets discuss this story about raising the debt limit. We hear some say they don't want to pay for socialists programs. When you do a bit of research you discover the reason is to pay for what you have already spent.

For instance, the billions dumped into "defense" when we're not being attacked. Did you miss the fact that the US had more private contractors in Afghanistan than soldiers? Talk about gougers, thieves, and profiteers. The "defense" budget is welfare for corporations that actively subvert our government and promote endless wars, for profit.

[Chuck Naill]

To whom it may apply,
https://www.wsj.com/articles/debt-ceiling-deadline-11627913756

[dneal]

To whom it may apply,
https://www.wsj.com/articles/debt-ceiling-deadline-11627913756

To whom it might also apply,
https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-win-2024-threat-democracy-kagan-mueller-report-russia-collusion-2020-election-11633727345

[Bold2013]

We need to realize the enemy is the government and not our neighbor.

[TSherbs]

We need to realize the enemy is the government and not our neighbor.What do you mean by this?

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[Chuck Naill]

Another source stating the same regarding the debt ceiling.

"The ceiling is a limit on federal borrowing, much like the limit on a credit card. The government only borrows to provide for spending previously authorized by Congress, or to pay the interest on outstanding debts.

Congress has already voted to spend this money. The only choices at this point are raising the debt limit so that the necessary money can be borrowed, or breaking promises.

Failing to raise the debt ceiling would amount to taking a hammer to the foundations of the global financial system, which rests on the absolute confidence of investors that the United States will always repay its debts."
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/09/opinion/debt-ceiling-congress.html

[Chuck Naill]

Regarding the SCOTUS
"WASHINGTON — Ordinarily staid and silent Supreme Court justices have become whirling dervishes of late, spinning madly to rebut the idea that Americans are beginning to regard the court as a dangerous cabal of partisan hacks.

They need not fret and wring their hands. No one is beginning to think that.

Many of us have thought that for a long time."

"As some on Twitter noted, our 20 years of quicksand in Afghanistan was capped Friday with this headline: “Son of Afghanistan’s Former Defense Minister Buys $20.9 Million Beverly Hills Mansion.”
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/09/opinion/supreme-court-conservative.html

[Bold2013]

We need to realize the enemy is the government and not our neighbor.What do you mean by this?

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The government is the one with authority deligated from God not the individual. We need to hold our government to its constitutional standards in order to bless/love our neighbors and restore the common good. From my vantage both major political parties fall short (not to the same degree) but I believe the country could come together under a Bible worldview for a better unified tomorrow.

[TSherbs]

We need to realize the enemy is the government and not our neighbor.What do you mean by this?

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The government is the one with authority deligated from God not the individual. We need to hold our government to its constitutional standards in order to bless/love our neighbors and restore the common good. From my vantage both major political parties fall short (not to the same degree) but I believe the country could come together under a Bible worldview for a better unified tomorrow.Isn't that a theocracy? Aren't you just saying that you want to replace the current government with a Christian theocracy?

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[Chuck Naill]

We need to realize the enemy is the government and not our neighbor.What do you mean by this?

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The government is the one with authority deligated from God not the individual. We need to hold our government to its constitutional standards in order to bless/love our neighbors and restore the common good. From my vantage both major political parties fall short (not to the same degree) but I believe the country could come together under a Bible worldview for a better unified tomorrow.

The Constitution is a human construct.

The US constitution has not always blessed. Consider forced migration of Africans, females, Asian peoples, and religious groups.

The scriptures were used to prevent racial and gender rights.

How do you explain?

[Bold2013]

As it is written we submit to the earthly authorities God has placed above us (Biden/Trump/Supreme Court) however the constitution is true magistrate of our country. However all of this is under the Supreme magistrate.

So we live peacefully in our system with one another unless it is at odds with the King of Kings.

[Chip]

One of the most stunning instances of political tribalism was the 2000 decision by Justices Kennedy, O'Connor, Rehnquist, Scalia, and Thomas to hand over the Florida electoral vote to George W. Bush, despite compelling evidence that Gore was the legitimate winner. That criminally partisan act put a bumbling fool in the White House for two terms and contributed to two disastrous wars, billions in waste and theft for "defense" and "homeland security," vast environmental destruction, and the present climate crisis, among other ills.

Was that the design of a just and compassionate god?

[TSherbs]

One of the most stunning instances of political tribalism was the 2000 decision by Justices Kennedy, O'Connor, Rehnquist, Scalia, and Thomas to hand over the Florida electoral vote to George W. Bush, despite compelling evidence that Gore was the legitimate winner. That criminally partisan act put a bumbling fool in the White House for two terms and contributed to two disastrous wars, billions in waste and theft for "defense" and "homeland security," vast environmental destruction, and the present climate crisis, among other ills.

Was that the design of a just and compassionate god?

That ruling hurt some of us, but I don't agree that there was "compelling evidence" that Gore was the winner. Part of what makes the SC look "tribal" is that everything is a "yay-nay" vote: every ruling is expressed in polar positions, and many rulings show a pattern of voting blocks among the justices.

[Bold2013]

He who is perfectly just and the most long suffering permitted it

[TSherbs]

As it is written we submit to the earthly authorities God has placed above us (Biden/Trump/Supreme Court) however the constitution is true magistrate of our country. However all of this is under the Supreme magistrate.

So we live peacefully in our system with one another unless it is at odds with the King of Kings.

You wrote that "government is the enemy." I don't see how you get from these religious statements to "government is the enemy." Our government, after all, is the collective will of the people through a representative democracy. Explain again how "government is the enemy"?

[Bold2013]

Our current government leaders in general are the enemy because the don’t follow the constitution and are actively legislating against God’s law

[TSherbs]

Our current government leaders in general are the enemy because the don’t follow the constitution and are actively legislating against God’s law

But, in the other circumstance above, you said that God, the "perfectly just," permitted it. In other words, every thing that is, exists only through God's permission. So, God permits this government, and all governments, to be and to make action (law). You seem like you are unevenly applying your religious logic here. Can you clarify, please?

Or is your point that all non-theocracies are "enemies of God"?

[TSherbs]

He who is perfectly just and the most long suffering permitted it

cf, this was your response to the SC ruling in 2000

[Bold2013]

He didn’t stop the Israelites from making the golden calf (on more than one occasion) but He held them responsible. It’s like consequence based parenting

[TSherbs]

He didn’t stop the Israelites from making the golden calf (on more than one occasion) but He held them responsible. It’s like consequence based parenting

Well, that story never happened in real life, so "holding them responsible" never happened either.

Sometimes the real "enemy" is the purveyor of falsehood with the smiling face of certainty.

[Bold2013]

He didn’t stop the Israelites from making the golden calf (on more than one occasion) but He held them responsible. It’s like consequence based parenting


Sometimes the real "enemy" is the purveyor of falsehood with the smiling face of certainty.

Well said sir. Have a blessed Lords Day

[TSherbs]

He didn’t stop the Israelites from making the golden calf (on more than one occasion) but He held them responsible. It’s like consequence based parenting


Sometimes the real "enemy" is the purveyor of falsehood with the smiling face of certainty.

Well said sir. Have a blessed Lords Day

Enjoy your Sabbath, free from "work." Should you even be visiting this site and typing on the Sabbath?

[kazoolaw]

He didn’t stop the Israelites from making the golden calf (on more than one occasion) but He held them responsible. It’s like consequence based parenting


Sometimes the real "enemy" is the purveyor of falsehood with the smiling face of certainty.

Well said sir. Have a blessed Lords Day

Enjoy your Sabbath, free from "work." Should you even be visiting this site and typing on the Sabbath?

TS-
Little touchy today?
First you take a shot at the Old Testament.
Then you miss the point of Bold2013's edit: you're the purveyor.
Then you misapply the OT.
Must be one of those things you don't read.

[Chip]

This is a lovely example of what philosophers call theodicy: the assertion of divine goodness and providence in view of the existence of evil, suffering, malice, etc. Rather like trying to bail the Titanic with a teaspoon.

The old testament? It is certainly old. Also rather confused, morally speaking.

The lord's day? Your belief, not mine.

The earth rolls, the sun shines, streams flow, the winds blow: my gods are always at work.

[TSherbs]

The old testament? It is certainly old. Also rather confused, morally speaking.
.

It's quite confused, historically speaking, too.

Not a solid document to base one's idea of government on. Unless you're looking to bring back all sorts of barbaric practices.



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[kazoolaw]

So appears theological/philosophical/religious tribalism.

[TSherbs]

Another form of political tribalism: the efforts through the manipulation of district boundaries to gain voting advantage.

The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio redistricting: Justices reject legislative maps, primary in doubt.

https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/03/16/supreme-court-rejects-ohio-legislative-maps-full-may-primary-unlikely/6973505001/

[Chuck Naill]

Where there is inequality there is instability. Who said it?

[Chip]

Aristotle?

More recently Galbraith and Piketty.

[Chuck Naill]

Had a thought, if the USA would admit it's history and make a profound apology, Russia would have not ammunition to use against us politically.

People are outraged about "wokeness". They are alarmed by anyone bringing up the past inequality, which is obviously true. As long as you harbor sin, or whatever you want to call it, is continues to do its damage.

If American's need anything, it is to fully embrace Liberal Democracy and free elections. Succession is a significant tool against the loss of freedom. Liberty cannot just be one person or groups definition. In other words, it can't just be what white men think it should be.

[TSherbs]

Here is some rejected gerrymandering by the Democrats:


POLITICO: Maryland court strikes down congressional map as illegal Democratic gerrymander.

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/03/25/maryland-court-congressional-map-illegal-democratic-gerrymander-00020518

[Chuck Naill]

I am reading The Case for Trump by Victor Davis Hanson who is discussing white grievances as the reason Trump could have won. He has not mentioned Paul Manafort so far. Since the topic is tribalism, if someone leverages these white people's grievances, it is in line with what both Putin and Hilter have done.

This is going to sound familiar, said by Putin yesterday, "And now, he said, the West is busy “canceling” Russia, “an entire thousand-year-old country, our people.”

"“The names of Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and Rachmaninoff are being removed from playbills. Russian writers and their books are being banned,” Mr. Putin said. “The last time such a mass campaign to destroy objectionable literature was carried out was by the Nazis in Germany almost 90 years ago.”

For the moment, Mr. Kolesnikov said, Mr. Putin’s main audience when railing against Western “cancel culture” is domestic, with the Kremlin intent on feeding the grievances against the West upon which Mr. Putin draws much of his support. But casting Russia as a protector of traditional values from the thrall of wanton liberalism is also a message that finds sympathy around the world — including among American right-wing commentators like Fox News’s Tucker Carlson, whose monologues are often shown on Russian state television.'

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/25/world/europe/putin-cancel-culture-rowling.html

[TSherbs]

God bless this woman: the Ohio Supreme Court justice standing up against her party for the rule of law (more on gerrymandering):

The Guardian: The Republican judge blocking her party from rigging electoral districts.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/12/ohio-republican-judge-blocking-party-from-distorting-electoral-districts

[kazoolaw]

God bless this woman: the Ohio Supreme Court justice standing up against her party for the rule of law (more on gerrymandering):

The Guardian: The Republican judge blocking her party from rigging electoral districts.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/12/ohio-republican-judge-blocking-party-from-distorting-electoral-districts

God moves in mysterious ways, indeed.

[TSherbs]

More gerrymandering being struck down: POLITICO: New York's top court throws out district lines and delays primary.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/27/new-yorks-top-court-throws-out-district-lines-and-delays-primary-00028274