culture wars
Broadly, conservatism vs progressives / social liberties vs authoritarianism / social justice vs elitist marginalisation.
Political Meme of the week: Abbott “explains” things – they just are
ABBOTT: ‘blah blah Gillard govt schoolkid bonus bad blah blah’
REPORTER: ‘How is this different from the Howard govt baby bonus?’
ABBOTT: ‘Well look, they just are.’
Obama interview: “I think same sex couples should be able to get married”
Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently. It doesn’t make sense to them and, frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective.
Stephen King: Tax Me, for F@%&’s Sake!
The iconic writer scolds the superrich (including himself—and Mitt Romney) for not giving back, and warns of a Kingsian apocalyptic scenario if inequality is not addressed in America.
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How turning voters off politics helps US pollies get elected – will it work in Australia too?
Intriguing analysis in this post from Steven Pearlstein in the Washington Post, although Jay Rosen notes that he doesn’t cover the complementary role played in this game by the news media playing up the confected outrage.
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Friday Hoyden: Kathrine Switzer
In 1967 an angry race official tried to stop Kathrine Switzer from running the Boston Marathon. He failed, she changed her society.
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LNP staffer quits after anti-feminist rant in email
He sent an email to a Queensland feminist about the superiority of men, telling her to “get a life” and calling her a “sourpuss” for writing an opinion piece about the need for more women in parliament. Some media advisor, eh?
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Roseanne Barr wants the US presidential debate back on topic #righteousrant
Roseanne Barr on Ann and Mitt Romney and the Mommy Wars: “why bring out this fake issue again now? Could it be to divert the conversation from the continued restrictions being placed on women’s reproductive rights and make us forget that both parties are socialists for their own causes…?” – and Daily Beast puts this righteous rant from a woman who is running for POTUS in the Entertainment section.
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Look what I found: a picture of mass murderer Breivik that doesn’t play to his script
Why can’t you do better than all those fist-salute photos, media? Why are you publishing the shot that he wants people to see?
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Bob Brown retires; Christine Milne now Greens leader
BOB Brown has resigned as leader of the Australian Greens and will quit the Senate, with his former deputy Christine Milne unanimously endorsed by colleagues as Senator Brown’s successor. The Greens’ sole lower house representative, Melbourne MP Adam Bandt, was later elected Senator Milne’s deputy.
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This week in Bizarre-Barf
Glenn Beck has a shiny new toy. He has had a 20 year old movie set of the Oval Office refurbished so that he can use it for a special weekly broadcast to the nation.
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False media narratives: why don’t we talk about “white on white” crime?
White Americans are just as likely to be killed by other whites as Black Americans are likely to be killed by other blacks. In fact, all races in the USA share similar ratios. As the largest racial group, whites commit the majority of crimes in America. In particular, whites are responsible for the vast majority of violent crimes.
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Farewell to Larvatus Prodeo
Australia’s big purple poliblog will no longer be publishing new posts. The archives will remain, and that goodbye post is filling up with nostalgic comments.
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Quick Hit: Read This
Excellent takedown of The Punch’s anti-feminist article by tallulahspankhead at The Lady Garden.
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