by David SafierFrom the NY Times: Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, said on “Fox News Sunday,” “It is good to have the president of the United States say to young people across America, ‘Stay in school, study and do your homework.’ ” And Senator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, said on the same show, … Read more
by David SafierTodd offered this comment to the post, Is it a proto-fascist movement? A Canadian Psychologist, Bob Altemeyer, has been looking for years at what makes people more or less likely to adhere to a right-wing authoritarianism. His research has been going on for 40 years and has a wealth of data and has … Read more
by David SafierJoe Scarborough — yes, the conservative Morning Joe guy — sounds a little fed up with his own party, based on a string of twitter feeds. [Truth in advertising: I don't know Twitter from a hole in the wall. I believe these are Scarborough's tweets. If I'm wrong, someone a bit more tweet-savvy … Read more
by David SafierWhen I wrote the post, Mobs and mob psychology, Mike Bryan took me to task for being naive. He wrote in a comment: The reason it felt so unfamiliar is because you were experiencing the populist irrationalism that is the raw material of fascistic movements . . . You don't hang out with … Read more
by David SafierTrue story. Tom Horne contacted Sam Hughes Elementary last spring. He wanted to come to Tucson so he could present the student body their Excellent School certificate personally. Before he came, he called the press to make sure they'd be there. At the assembly, Horne played piano for the students. Then he had … Read more