Link Me Up, Scotty - Rot and Ruin Edition

Thursday, November 24, 2016

My favorite Christian Pastor on giving thanks for things that appear to be terrible, but can give meaning and purpose to our lives. Happy Thanksgiving, y'all.
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A fascinating article on the economic and social consequences of electing Trump to the White House. The money quote:
In fact, this alliance was not primarily economic—although painting it so was politically potent—but cultural. Many of its members were affluent, quite a few well off. They had little problem with technology and globalization, much less well-placed lobbying, from which many benefited. Their grievance was that they were being left behind not economically but socially. As Donald Trump astutely pointed out in cultivating them: “This is your last chance.” His brilliant appeal to “make America great again,” was, for most, not a call for economic redistribution or job opportunity but for social relevance. His message was nothing less than to literally Take America Back to an imagined past that was as longed for as it was illusory, a past where their values were ascendant and where the others knew their place.
Make no mistake, this election was not primarily about the economy. For Trump’s adherents, it was about nothing less than saving the soul of the nation. Their quarrel with government was not that they were doing badly but that “the others” were making inroads, catching up, and, if unchecked, they would somehow surpass the Real Americans. The impulses of Trump’s legions were not racial, but tribal. What was “elite” about their foes was not their finances but their fluidity, their openness to change, which conservatives saw as a challenge not to their pocketbooks but a threat to their belief system.
Which is why the passions of this election had the force of a religious war and Donald Trump was seen as a savior. It explains why so many people voted for him, well aware of his deficiencies and how unfit he was for the White House. In religious terms, a tool of divine deliverance may be flawed, but it must still be wielded. Trump was such a scourge. We will see how he does the Lord’s work.
I believe this analysis is spot on. The concept of "whitelash" against a country that is making inroads to a more egalitarian society is right on the money based on my own experiences and the Trump supporters I know. Terrified of giving up (or even acknowledging) their unearned privilege, they completely went off the deep end in effort to retain it.

H/T Brother Eric
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Pfizer sues the State of Texas for having the temerity to share the prices Pfizer charge to Texas Medicaid for their prescription drugs. I find this completely unsurprising, actually. Why are people still so shocked that publicly traded pharmaceutical companies are primarily interested in making money rather than in healing the sick? From their point of view, the former is their job. The latter is just a means to accomplishing their job. These people are not humanitarians.
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It appears Mitt Romney is being seriously considered as the new Secretary of State. While I don't agree with Mitt's politics, at least he appears to be a moderately decent human being, and (more importantly) he's qualified. I'll take it.
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An open letter from a transwoman to her in-laws. This is one of those things where you're either all-in, or you're not. And if you're not, then don't be surprised when your family member holds it against you.

Most of you know this is a hot-button issue for me. Everyone should have the right to live authentically, and insisting that people hide who they are for the comfort of bigots is never an acceptable alternative.
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Helen's annual Thanksgiving Family letter. I kind of want to go to Helen's house for the holiday...
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Apparently President-Elect Trump's many, many, conflicts of interest in his new post are not his fault and completely acceptable anyway because...people voted for him? It must be nice to have none of the rules apply to you, ever.

Also: Will someone on his staff who isn't a complete fucking idiot delete his Twitter account already? Geez.
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A thought-provoking article on what Democrats and liberals should concentrate on for the next four years. The entire thing is worth a read, but here's the money quote:
The focus of left-of-center politics in the dark years to come must be on protecting the groups of people who are targets precisely because of their identities. To sideline their interests is to accede to a backlash that has just begun and will only get worse. If Democrats standing up for diversity makes Trump voters feel disrespected, the best response is a slogan popular among enemies of political correctness at Trump rallies: Fuck your feelings.
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Millions of Muslims march against ISIS in Iraq, and no one notices.  I'm sure it's just an oversight and not because this story contradicts preconceived notions about the Muslim culture. Yeah, that's it.
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Video of my heart: Vice President Joe Biden on CBS' Note to Self writes a letter to his younger self, explaining the purpose and value of his life to his family and his country. I'll miss you, Uncle Joe.



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