The Generalist

One's identity is far more than one's profession.

Recent Posts

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Ordinary Americans Less Polarized

Time Magazine presents evidence that, at its core, America may be less divided than it appears. Ordinary people, when not trying to impress those of like mind with their solidarity, have similar values and priorities.

The article explains how our minds trick us into thinking that something we hear often is the majority [accepted] view. This is an important consideration as we approach the election. If we can focus on issues instead of personalities, we have a better chance of finding common ground.

Kamala and DJT are avatars for two competing political camps. The media loves to liken the election process to a sports event, a race, or a high-stakes game. That frame deflects us from the issues and encourages us to attribute far too much influence on outcomes to those individual personalities. It takes well-coordinated teamwork and skill in negotiation to move a political agenda ahead.

When we vote for either of the personalities in the race, we are voting for a team of people. We are voting for the team’s platform of intentions. We are assessing which would be best for the nation and for us individually. How much does it really matter who leads those teams? Look at what they want to accomplish and who the other players are.

The Polarization Myth
The growing evidence that—even heading into this year’s election—Americans are less divided than you may think.

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Gaming the Media

It grows more difficult to separate truth from lies every day. Sue Mehrtens and I wrote a book on the topic a couple of years ago [Credible]. So, when I saw David Kurtz explanation of how the GOP attack strategy will evolve and how the spin masters will seek to put the Democrats on the defensive I recognized that he is on to something that should be shared and understood by us all.

More than a decade ago, the book “The Fox Effect” demonstrated how Fox could plant a sensational news story that forced less biased media to pivot and give coverage to stuff that should have been ignored.

The dark art of playing the media has, if anything, grown more dark and insidious. Read Kurtz’s essay from Talking Points Memo and become even more savvy in your critical thinking skills.

A Reader’s Guide To The Racist And Misogynistic Attacks On Harris
The initial round of GOP attacks on Kamala Harris have so far been scattershot, inconsistent, self-contradictory, and often comical.

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There is a Terrible Cost to Complacency

Far too many of us are so disgusted with the political process that we have abandoned critical thinking and become complacent. Historian Heather Cox Richardson lays out the picture of what lies ahead. It is grim.

July 4, 2024
Monday, July 1, was a busy day. That morning the Supreme Court handed down a decision in Donald J. Trump v. United States that gives the president absolute immunity for committing crimes while engaging in official acts. On the same day, Trump White House strategist Steve Bannon began a four-month sentence for contempt of Congress at a low-security federal prison in Danbury, Connecticut. Before he began serving his sentence, he swore he would “be more powerful in prison than I am now.”

Heather Cox Richardson analyzes the significance of the upcoming election for Americans. (click)

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Rethinking Economic Beliefs

For many years I was a believer in the idea that taxation throttled back the economy and inhibited prosperity. I bought into the idea that government spending somehow diverted money from those who produced stuff. I was wrong. It’s never been more clear than in recent years when we watched massive tax cuts trickle up as corporations bought back their own stock to enhance the value of executive stock options.

Historian Heather Cox Richardson’s Column concludes, “As the [trickle-down] system comes under increasing scrutiny, Biden’s renewal of traditional economic policies is showing those policies to be more successful than the Republicans’ system ever was. If Americans turn against the Republican formula of slashing taxes and deregulating business, those at the top of the economy stand to lose both wealth and control of the nation’s economic system.”

June 7, 2024
Two big stories today that together reveal a broader landscape. The first is that the Bureau of Labor Statistics today released another blockbuster jobs report. The country added 272,000 jobs in May, far higher than the 180,000 jobs economists predicted. A widespread range of sectors added new jobs, including health care, government, leisure and hospitality, and professional, scientific, and technical services. Wages are also up. Over the past year, average hourly earnings have grown 4.1%, higher than the rate of inflation, which was 3.4% over the same period.

She notes that claims for unemployment insurance were up a bit despite the favorable job numbers. I’d be interested to know if there is a seasonal uptick as schools let out and summer pastimes beckon–but that’s my cynical side speaking.

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Good Political Ad?

I rarely see political advertising that I like. Most of it goes directly to the trash now. Not only is it not credible — disinformation and deception are routine and unremarkable these days — but often it offends my intelligence.

This piece is different. It frames core liberal values in a Thanksgiving dinner metaphor that even the children around the table can get. There’s a chance that a genuine conversation about what matters could be started.

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Dangerous to Democracy

For years I’ve been shocked that so many Americans are willing to excuse or ignore the behaviors that signal that the former president is a menace. Here The Atlantic presents some of the public pronouncements that should be revolting to anyone who loves what our country aspires to be.

Trump Isn’t Merely Unhinged
Many of his recent statements illustrate a profoundly un-American set of ideas.

If the word “Unhinged” bothers you in the title, I suggest you read Steve Nolan’s book American Carnage – An Officers Duty to Warn. Steve passionately believes that the former Commander in Chief would be found mentally unfit for military service were he a soldier. He says, “I would be obligated to discharge [any person who makes certain statements Trump has made] from the military.

People’s statements and actions reflect their character and values. What values do the facts about Trump’s actions and public statements reveal?

This assessment is not news. For more than a decade, those who know the GOP candidate well, know he’s not to be trusted with the levers of power. The danger is real.

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Membership

I have long believed that we are products of our communities. Religious communities were once the norm in America. That’s no longer true and the “nones” (no affiliation) outnumber the members of any other denomination.

I do not advocate for religious dogma, though I do experience that seeking spiritual enlightenment contributes to the quality of my life. Here is my column for Sunday October 15th that illustrates how enthusiastic participation in a community can make life better.

In addition to joyful and uplifting communities, there are communities of fear, hate, and cynicism. The choice of whether we nurture or poison ourselves is ours to make.

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Productive Conversations

I’m left with exasperation, anger, and deep dismay when I try to talk with some people about what’s real and what’s not. The cult of agreement surrounding beliefs held by Trumpists and those who advance conspiracy theories makes productive conversation seem impossible.

The News Literacy Project has taken on the challenge and is offering a seminar for anyone interested in having productive conversations with true believers. Sign up for the webinar using the links in the flyer below.

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Education vs. Indoctrination in Our Schools

If your civic alarm bells are not going off daily, they should be. Here in our local schools propaganda is being introduced as history. Investigative reporter Judd Legum (Popular Information) published this report on the Pennridge School District. It’s shocking.

Pennsylvania school district requires social studies classes to incorporate right-wing propaganda
Last Monday, the Pennridge School Board, located outside of Philadelphia, imposed a new social studies curriculum that will require teachers to incorporate lessons from the 1776 Curriculum, a controversial K-12 course of study developed by Hillsdale College, a private Christian institution that prom…

There is a movement of right-wingers seeking to deceive and corrupt our children and it’s not just in Florida and Texas, it’s here at home in PA.