In August, 1941, Harper’s Magazine published an essay by journalist Dorothy Thompson entitled, “Who Goes Nazi?” The essay walks the reader through descriptions of the various attendees at a fictional dinner party and speculates about which of them would “Go Nazi” given the proper social or political circumstances. Some historical background To put the article … Read more
Disinformation is more than simply misinformation, or false information. Disinformation is false information that is deliberately spread in order to deceive. In our day to day lives we tend to trust the people we live with, work with, and worship with. We usually don’t live our daily lives in a suspicious, guarded, fashion. In our … Read more
On January 21,2010 the Supreme Court decided that “Political spending is a form of protected speech under the First Amendment, and the government may not keep corporations or unions from spending money to support or denounce individual candidates in elections.” This was the infamous “Citizens United” decision. People generally don’t know that the organization called … Read more
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24 In 1978, the IRS revoked the tax exempt status of “Christian” Bob Jones University (Greenville, South Carolina) due to its racist policies. The next year, … Read more
Rather than shutting down dissenting voices, these leaders have learned to harness the democratizing power of social media for their own purposes—jamming the signals, sowing confusion. They no longer need to silence the dissident shouting in the streets; they can use a megaphone to drown him out. Scholars have a name for this: censorship through … Read more
Whenever I point out the evil being done by a Republican, or by the Republican Party, the standard defense I hear is usually some variation on, “But both sides do it!” This argument is a logical fallacy called “red herring.” It is a diversionary tactic designed to change the subject. Of course one can find … Read more
Look, it’s simple math. In almost every poll I’ve seen since the Democratic Primary race began, Biden has been ahead of both Warren and Sanders. However, in those same polls, Warren plus Sanders is greater than Biden. Elizabeth Warren was the first Democrat to announce her candidacy on February 19, 2019. I thought then that … Read more
Some moments are defining. For example, one may be a selfish, careless driver – speeding, failing to signal turns, cutting people off during lane changes – and you may get away with it for a while. But what if one hits a parked car with no witnesses around? Do you leave a note with your … Read more