Is it a proto-fascist movement?

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

Where’s the critical thinking, Tom?

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

Another hypocrite heard from

by David SafierFrom the Orlando Sentinel: There once was a political operative who loved to tell crowds he had a simple way of explaining to children the difference between Republicans and Democrats. "Republicans get up and go to work," he would tell his son. "Democrats get up and go down to the mailbox to get … Read more

Keeping blacks down?

by David SafierWe can find plenty of motives for the conservative uproar over Obama's talk to school children, most of them purely political. But there's one more aspect. Is this yet another attempt to deny educational opportunities to black children, this time by robbing them of the chance to be spoken to by very possibly … Read more

Vote on Obama’s ed speech on CNN

by David SafierCNN has a daily Quick Vote (right hand column, down the page a ways.) Today's topic: Add your vote if you're so inclined. (Note: the image above is a screen shot. You have to go on the CNN site to vote.)