buzzsawmonkey 8/14/2020 6:43:29 AM

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Back around the beginning of the 20th century, the IWW had a slogan; "Building the new society within the shell of the old."  Possibly unconsciously channeling memory of this slogan, I have referred in recent years to the Left "hermit-crabbing" various slogans, institutions, and concepts:

They "hermit-crabbed" the estimable slogan and concept of the Common Core of learning instituted by Hutchins at the University of Chicago, re-purposing the name to their Leftist pedagogy;

They've been hermit-crabbing Lincoln since at least the Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War, through the commemorative plaque to "Abraham Lincoln, Democrat" on the wall of a building at Northeastern Illinois University (the "Land of Lincoln," yet!), through today's turncoat-Republican "Lincoln Project";

They've hermit-crabbed the concepts of anti-fascism and opposition to racism to justify fascist and racist behavior.

Listening to NPR this morning, to their "Story Corps" sequence which recorded the touching reunion of a "transgender" son with his conservative/religious father, I was struck at how avidly the Left has been, indeed, abiding by that old IWW slogan of "building a new society within the shell of the old"---of "hermit-crabbing" so much of society that they all but live in an entirely alternate universe.  This excerpt from today's Morning Sedition broadcast struck me particularly, as it has someone formerly in the intelligence community, fired by Trump, extremely artfully trashing him and his competence while subtly reviving, yet again, the old "Russia collusion" line.

Also, on the NPR "OZY" feed, I learned the reason that Kamala Harris was chosen as Biden's running mate; they have an article about how the "racist birther theory is revived, about Harris this time."  She is the stalking horse to keep the drumbeat going that Trump is a "racist" and a "birther" (harking back to the questions about Obama, which of course underscores the "racism"); while there are genuine issues about her eligibility as a "natural-born citizen"---about which, of course, nothing will be done---her value is that these issues provide a means for attacking Trump, and thereby avoiding having to deal with any of Biden's, or Harris's, actual positions. 

If these people were not despicable in every way, one could almost admire their skill and dedication in the pursuit of mendacity.

lucius septimius 8/14/2020 7:30:30 AM

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In #1 buzzsawmonkey said: If these people were not despicable in every way, one could almost admire their skill and dedication in the pursuit of mendacity.

Their weakness, though, is their insularity.  By adding a whole bunch of stuff that the vast majority of people think is bunk to their message, they have a hard time gaining new converts.  "Russia Russia Russia" may make the home crowd smile, but it won't gain any new voters.  As for identity politics, there was a story a couple of days ago about the use of "Latinx".  Apparently three quarters of Hispanics had never even heard the term and only 3% use it.  Yet every Democrat genuflects to it.

Meanwhile I saw that Knee-Pad Harris's approval rating among blacks is around 50%.  

lucius septimius 8/14/2020 7:31:31 AM

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JCM 8/14/2020 7:52:08 AM

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Officials: U.S. seizes Iranian oil heading for Venezuela

Venezuela has to import gasoline. That indicates their production and refining is at near standstill.

Iran is desperate for cash.

Trump is playing the economic game quietly, taking a page from the Reagan v. Soviet playbook. 

doppelganglander 8/14/2020 8:35:46 AM

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In #3 lucius septimius said: Took my morning walk -- 74 degrees and 91 % humidity.  

Sounds more like a morning swim.

doppelganglander 8/14/2020 8:59:41 AM

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If you've been wondering why conspiracy nuts on the left are claiming Trump is sabotaging the postal service, the WSJ is here to help.

I saw several tweets this morning claiming that Trump (personally, I presume) is removing mail sorting machines to slow down service and prevent mail-in ballots from reaching their destination. It doesn't occur to them that machines get old and break down, or might be moved from one facility to another that has higher volume. For an orange moron, Drumpf is incredibly devious and clever.

JCM 8/14/2020 10:31:17 AM

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UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE NINTH CIRCUIT

The panel affirmed the district court’s summary judgment in favor of plaintiffs challenging California Government Code § 31310, which bans possession of large capacity magazines (“LCMs”) that hold more than ten rounds of ammunition; and held that the ban violated the Second Amendment.

Occasional Reader 8/14/2020 11:10:47 AM

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In any event, I think we can put aside partisan differences and celebrate president Joe Biden having skillfully negotiated the normalization of relations between Israel and the united Arab emirates.

/

Occasional Reader 8/14/2020 11:11:21 AM

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Reply to JCM in 7:

The ninth circus did this?! I must repair to my fainting couch.

Occasional Reader 8/14/2020 11:15:41 AM

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Reply to JCM in 4:

“If it’s all the same to you, I’ll drive that tanker.”

-Mad Don

JCM 8/14/2020 12:19:51 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 9:

No kidding! The 9th has had a few good rulings recently.....

Occasional Reader 8/14/2020 1:07:18 PM

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Reply to JCM in 11:

but I am seeing that this was a decision of a three judge panel, that could be reversed en banc.

JCM 8/14/2020 2:56:47 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 12:

Fairly rare, en banc reversals. I'm sure CA will ask for an en banc ruling.