Although I can see some definite similarities during Adam’s presidency to our present situation, I would also point out that not only are our demographics distinctly dissimilar, considering there were only a handful of states on the Eastern Seaboard at that time period, but the population, which was sparse unlike today, was in addition n…
Although I can see some definite similarities during Adam’s presidency to our present situation, I would also point out that not only are our demographics distinctly dissimilar, considering there were only a handful of states on the Eastern Seaboard at that time period, but the population, which was sparse unlike today, was in addition not mesmerized by social media or FOX.
We had the availability of Substack both during the election and before. Do I need to remind that it wasn’t enough? We already had one term of stressful horror with Trump obviously without it making a meaty impression on those in the Middle and Southern states.
I mean, what the hell does it take to wake people up, anyway? Over 76 million people dismiss all evidence placed in their lap that this former person was convicted of felonies, on and on, etc.,etc. The list of his misdeeds seems to go on forever, but to no avail. A great deal of the South and Midwest still defend him. It’s not from lack of information availability they CHOSE to view and believe FOX AND X. They LIKE his policies and politics, and they are obviously still willing to flirt with this level of danger with our collective futures.
Many like Bernie, but hate socialism. They like Trump but don’t trust big business or the rich. They want to clean up the swamp but trust known and convicted felons, cheats and those who promote either peaceful or violent overthrow of our way of life and Constitution.
Perhaps we need to add to the list of social injustices, disparities and grievances that at least 76 million by in large Southern or Midwest citizens who voted for our newly elected president also endures a distinct lack of reasoning power.
The ironies and inconsistencies abound. Good explanations which clearly point to significant and demonstrable ideas and theories are hard to come by. If Trump has the kind of power he claims to have, he will shut down Substack and anything like it quickly. You are right that many people have chosen Trump and fascism because that is what they want or believe in because of ignorance and contempt for others, including or especially, liberals.
Thom seems to believe that if we just had brought back civics and history classes in public schools that everyone (or some appreciable proportion of students) would therefore be conversant with how government works in a democracy and this situation could thereby have been avoided. That is utter nonsense. What people need to see and comprehend is how a demagogue gains attention, approval, and power and how his interests and actions conflict with their own interests and the welfare of the people generally. People need to know the difference between real facts, data, statistics, and information with regard to a variety of issues, and the kind of manipulated information, lies, and deception which Fox and other right-wing media and bought-off politicians dish out by the trainload. People need to have a fundamental capacity for discerning motives and human behavior and the ability to think critically. I’ve said it here at least a dozen times; one does not learn critical thinking in a class, and a class in critical thinking is a waste of time for the most part because it is not a skill that can be taught as one teaches algebra or history. Furthermore, to gain authentic knowledge in history, algebra, or any other subject students must be fully engaged VOLUNTARILY, and must be able to get beyond abstraction and academic role-playing to incorporate (create) knowledge which is useful and personal. Thom is stuck in reverse when it comes to education and schooling and sees everyone who criticizes schools as a reactionary trying to destroy schools. That is very sad. The first and most critical issue is compulsory attendance law and the authoritarian bureaucracy it necessitates. The only possible outcomes are mis-education, demoralization, anti-intellectual attitudes, sclerotic policies and practices, and frustration.
Although I can see some definite similarities during Adam’s presidency to our present situation, I would also point out that not only are our demographics distinctly dissimilar, considering there were only a handful of states on the Eastern Seaboard at that time period, but the population, which was sparse unlike today, was in addition not mesmerized by social media or FOX.
We had the availability of Substack both during the election and before. Do I need to remind that it wasn’t enough? We already had one term of stressful horror with Trump obviously without it making a meaty impression on those in the Middle and Southern states.
I mean, what the hell does it take to wake people up, anyway? Over 76 million people dismiss all evidence placed in their lap that this former person was convicted of felonies, on and on, etc.,etc. The list of his misdeeds seems to go on forever, but to no avail. A great deal of the South and Midwest still defend him. It’s not from lack of information availability they CHOSE to view and believe FOX AND X. They LIKE his policies and politics, and they are obviously still willing to flirt with this level of danger with our collective futures.
Many like Bernie, but hate socialism. They like Trump but don’t trust big business or the rich. They want to clean up the swamp but trust known and convicted felons, cheats and those who promote either peaceful or violent overthrow of our way of life and Constitution.
Perhaps we need to add to the list of social injustices, disparities and grievances that at least 76 million by in large Southern or Midwest citizens who voted for our newly elected president also endures a distinct lack of reasoning power.
The ironies and inconsistencies abound. Good explanations which clearly point to significant and demonstrable ideas and theories are hard to come by. If Trump has the kind of power he claims to have, he will shut down Substack and anything like it quickly. You are right that many people have chosen Trump and fascism because that is what they want or believe in because of ignorance and contempt for others, including or especially, liberals.
Thom seems to believe that if we just had brought back civics and history classes in public schools that everyone (or some appreciable proportion of students) would therefore be conversant with how government works in a democracy and this situation could thereby have been avoided. That is utter nonsense. What people need to see and comprehend is how a demagogue gains attention, approval, and power and how his interests and actions conflict with their own interests and the welfare of the people generally. People need to know the difference between real facts, data, statistics, and information with regard to a variety of issues, and the kind of manipulated information, lies, and deception which Fox and other right-wing media and bought-off politicians dish out by the trainload. People need to have a fundamental capacity for discerning motives and human behavior and the ability to think critically. I’ve said it here at least a dozen times; one does not learn critical thinking in a class, and a class in critical thinking is a waste of time for the most part because it is not a skill that can be taught as one teaches algebra or history. Furthermore, to gain authentic knowledge in history, algebra, or any other subject students must be fully engaged VOLUNTARILY, and must be able to get beyond abstraction and academic role-playing to incorporate (create) knowledge which is useful and personal. Thom is stuck in reverse when it comes to education and schooling and sees everyone who criticizes schools as a reactionary trying to destroy schools. That is very sad. The first and most critical issue is compulsory attendance law and the authoritarian bureaucracy it necessitates. The only possible outcomes are mis-education, demoralization, anti-intellectual attitudes, sclerotic policies and practices, and frustration.