How do we make sense of the descent of Trump supporters, including people we know, into outright sedition? People who grew up reciting the Pledge of Allegiance are now actively betraying “the flag of the United States of America and the republic for … [Continue reading] about The Psychology of Sedition
Trump’s Pardons Aren’t Just Corrupt, but Corrupting: of Justice and Democracy
Before Trump, presidents based most clemency decisions on what they thought would best serve justice. But in pardoning war criminals, allies who refused to "flip" on him, or the simply well-connected, Trump is serving only himself. The damage goes … [Continue reading] about Trump’s Pardons Aren’t Just Corrupt, but Corrupting: of Justice and Democracy
COVID “Libertarians:” That Word Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means
The mask and social distancing refusers who claim to be libertarians don’t seem to understand what a libertarian is. Let’s check with John Stuart Mill, a primary authority on the topic, and one of history’s most influential moral philosophers. Mill … [Continue reading] about COVID “Libertarians:” That Word Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means
What’s Seen and What’s Summoned
Many people can’t understand why Joe Biden talks so optimistically about the American people, like he did again today. After all, nearly half of Americans have stuck with Trump, even after four years of corruption, cruelty, and incompetence. I … [Continue reading] about What’s Seen and What’s Summoned
Bread, Circuses, and Covid
The argument over mask-wearing and social distancing is a mess, one that exemplifies the state of our democracy. The argument is confused three ways: Most liberals don’t understand the conservative definition of freedom.Most conservatives don’t … [Continue reading] about Bread, Circuses, and Covid