Showing posts with label Jason Stanley. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jason Stanley. Show all posts

Saturday, July 2, 2022

Grim

News blues

© Michael Ramirez/Creators  @ramireztoons
Commentary on the divisions facing the United States…
Click to enlarge.

Apologies to readers for the grim nature of content shared in this post. Problem is… grim trends on our planet are the current name of the game. 
Trends are grim. Trends are real. Trends reflect the realities that face the planet’s creatures – you, me, and all the animals, plants, insects, sea- and water creatures, all of us
Grim indeed.
The Covid pandemic has simply highlighted how ill-prepared “we” are to both comprehend and deal with these trends.
On the subject of Covid, scientists are closer to understanding the neurology behind the memory problems and cognitive fuzziness that an infection can trigger >> 

On war – and culture war

As the US veers from democracy to fascism, Jason Stanley, author of How Fascism Works, deconstructs a two-minute video that was shown at Trump’s public appearance on Jan 6 and that helped incite the Jan. 6 rioters.
IMHO, this is an important presentation that clearly points out the symbolism and tropes employed to tweak anybody inclined towards Trumpism, “Stop the Steal,” Qanon, MAGAworld, etc.
Watch – and learn! >> (18:30 mins) 

PS: I’m reading Jason Stanley’s book How Fascism Works and can attest to its readability. It’s not pompous nor aimed at the professorial and pontificating classes. It’s a book for ‘regular’ folks with curiosity and a desire to understand.

Ukraine – photos of war, death, destruction >> 

Healthy planet, anyone?

The US Supreme Court voted to curb the Environmental Protection Agency’s ability to regulate carbon emissions. This comes amid a period of increasingly extreme weather around the world. More than 40 million Americans were under heat advisory last week.
Kristie Ebi has been researching the health risks of climate change for decades and warns of the rise in “Mass Casualty” events as a result of climate change >>  (17:15 mins)

Meanwhile, back at the ranch…

When the s**t hits the fan, I pull on my socks and athletic shoes and go outside to enjoy the awesome surroundings. I appreciate the luxury of 1) having the socks and shoes to pull on, 2) living modestly on a public park on the beach, 3) having the physical ability to get outside, 4) the understanding and sensitivity to recognize what will be lost unless our so-called “leaders” discover and appreciate such luxuries, too. (I won’t hold my breath. It breaks my heart.)