I’ve recently returned from three weeks in “red” America. It was ostensibly a book tour but I wanted to talk with conservative Republicans and Tea Partiers. I intended to put into practice what I tell my students – that the best way to learn is to talk with people who disagree you. I wanted to learn from … Continue reading »
conservatives
The NY Times uncovers conservative attacks, then prints one; both are on the front page
On Thursday (Nov. 21), the New York Times front page reported on the conservative attacks against the President Obama and the Affordable Care Act. On Sunday, the Times front page contained a conservative attack on President Obama and the Affordable Care Act mixed in with news stories. Here is an analysis of both. For decades, … Continue reading »
What hath Roberts wrought?
Co-authored with Elisabeth Wehling Democrats all over America are claiming victory in the Chief Justice Roberts’ vote to uphold the constitutionality of the President’s health care law. Conservatives all over America are campaigning all the harder for a president and a congress that will overthrow the law in the future. Thomas Friedman in his New … Continue reading »
Why we need Obama now, more than ever
In this Top Ten countdown, David Letterman recently announced Barack Obama’s top ten plans for Labor Day weekend. Coming in solidly at #2: “Pretty much whatever the Republicans tell him he can do.” If a lot truth is said in jest (as Eminem would have it), then the plain truth here is that the public … Continue reading »
The use of 9/11 to consolidate conservative power: Intimidation via framing
My wife, Kathleen, and I stood gaping at the TV as we watched the towers fall. Kathleen said to me, “Do you realize what Bush and Cheney are going to do with this?” We both realized very well. Until 9/11, the Bush presidency was weak. On 9/11, Cheney understood that the attack was an opportunity … Continue reading »
The Republican ignorance agenda
Conservative Republicans have been very busy lately making inroads into teaching and learning at all levels — a curious program, especially at a time when more serious voices have been urging America to strengthen its investment in science and technology in order to remain globally competitive in the twenty-first century. One wonders what their oppositionism … Continue reading »
Education and views about climate change
A political science blog called the Monkey Cage (the name is a reference to an irreverent remark by H.L. Mencken) has an interesting post about education and views about climate change. As you would expect, education is positively correlated with a better understanding of the science — but only for liberals. Educated conservatives are no … Continue reading »
What conservatives really want
— Dedicated to the peaceful protesters in Wisconsin, February 19, 2011 The central issue in our political life is not being discussed. At stake is the moral basis of American democracy. The individual issues are all too real: assaults on unions, public employees, women’s rights, immigrants, the environment, health care, voting rights, food safety, pensions, … Continue reading »
Conservatism’s death gusher
The issue is death — death gushing at ten thousand pounds per square inch from a mile below the sea, tens of thousands of barrels of death a day. Not just death to eleven human beings. Death to sea birds, sea turtles, dolphins, fish, oyster beds, shrimp, beaches; death to the fishing industry, tourism, jobs; … Continue reading »