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Smart people saying smart things (12.19.24)

Smart people saying smart things (12.19.24)

Last updated on: December 19, 2024 at 4:21 pm by Fred Clark

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Smart people saying smart things (12.19.24) 2024-12-19T16:21:52-05:00 Fred Clark

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Scott M. Coley, “If Voters ‘Get What They Asked For’ It’s More Likely to Cause a Fascist Death Spiral Than a Lesson Learned”

This is the fascist death spiral of right-wing populism—a disaffected, economically insecure electorate that will not spend the next four years learning just how much none of their problems are caused by feminism, immigration, or civil rights. They didn’t arrive at this opinion through a careful consideration of evidence, they don’t hold this opinion because of evidence, and the evidence of the next four years isn’t going to change their minds.

As downward mobility accelerates, traditionally (or aspirationally) privileged groups will take refuge in the politics of “law and order,” which promises to secure their privilege at the expense of disfavored groups. But because disfavored groups aren’t the actual cause of anyone’s economic problems, these economic problems will only deepen. A downwardly mobile electorate will heap yet more blame and punishment on disfavored groups, while the wealthiest people in our society rob us all blind.

Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, “The Red Heifer, Christian Zionism, and the Dangers of Now”

As far as I can tell, both Christian Zionist fundamentalists (some of whom are, you know, also white supremacist Christian nationalists glad there’s somewhere to send the Jews) and Jewish fundamentalists are glad to use each other, each thinks the other’s vision of the Final Whatever will prove incorrect so why not exploit shared goals? Take that Christian cash/ make the Jews do the thing you want to have happen /etc ? At least– I am under the impression that it’s that cynical.

Kat Abughazaleh, “No Trump, Dems Aren’t Executing Babies”

Robert Allen Warrior, “Canaanites, Cowboys, and Indians”

No doubt, the story is one that has inspired many people in many contexts to struggle against injustice. Israel, in the Exile, then Diaspora, would remember the story and be reminded of God’s faithfulness. Enslaved African-Americans, given Bibles to read by their masters and mistresses, would begin at the beginning of the book and find in the pages of the Pentateuch a god who was obviously on their side, even if that god was the god of their oppressors. People in Latin American based communities read the story and have been inspired to struggle against injustice. The Exodus, with its picture of a god who takes the side of the oppressed and powerless, has been a beacon of hope for many in despair.

Yet, the liberationist picture of Yahweh is not complete. A delivered people is not a free people, nor is it a nation. People who have survived the nightmare of subjugation dream of escape. Once the victims have been delivered, they seek a new dream, a new goal, usually a place of safety away from the oppressors, a place that can be defended against future subjugation. Israel’s new dream became the land of Canaan. And Yahweh was still with them: Yahweh promised to go before the people and give them Canaan, with its flowing milk and honey. The land, Yahweh decided, belonged to these former slaves from Egypt and Yahweh planned on giving it to them — using the same power used against the enslaving Egyptians to defeat the indigenous inhabitants of Canaan. Yahweh the deliverer became Yahweh the conqueror.

Betty Cracker, “Delay, Deny, Defend”

Shooting the people who are responsible for setting up these endless goddamn hoops for sick people to jump through prior to receiving clearly necessary medical care isn’t the solution. I know that. But boy do I understand where all the “fuck that motherfucker” energy came from when the UHC CEO got murdered in broad daylight. He was a cog in an evil fucking machine.

Olufemi O. Taiwo, “Donald Trump and His Allies Don’t Really Care What Kind of Leftist You Are”

Keep in mind, though, that when you are recruited by people and projects to Be a Thing and others that want you to Do a Thing, join the doers. It will not always be easy, at the outset, to tell which team is recruiting you. Most organizations, collectives, and friend groups will at least mention concrete goals, and many groups organized around ideology do important, meaningful political work. But pay attention: If the actions of the people surrounding you are oriented in maintaining a particular political posture, internal standard of correctness, or some other goal rather than a tangible victory, you may have ended up on team Be a Thing. …

Being “the right kind” of progressive or feminist or socialist can easily become its own goal, rather than winning concrete victories that match the values and goals behind these labels. Unfortunately, this has been a common response in recent decades among those who have long fought against the overwhelmingly powerful, well-funded right wing in the United States. As victories in central fights against well-resourced opponents become more and more remote, focusing on branding or infighting among comrades becomes more and more attractive. Organizers can be content to exist as a subculture — again, “the right kind” of progressive, feminist, or socialist — while being indifferent or even hostile to attempts to move beyond that.

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