Monthly Archives: October 2010

Moderates Rally for “Sanity”?

Posted on October 30, 2010 by David S. Meyer

Is it sane for “moderates” to take their politics outdoors? The Comedy Central Rally on the Washington Mall, led by Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert, apparently outdrew (I’ve seen estimates of 200-250,000 participants) each of the previous three large Washington … Continue reading →

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Constitution classes for Congress

Posted on October 30, 2010 by David S. Meyer

Another entry in our ongoing “if people only knew more, they would agree with me” series: Minnesota Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann, founder of the House Tea Party Caucus, has announced that she will organize classes on the Constitution for the … Continue reading →

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What Glenn Beck knows (part II)

Posted on October 29, 2010 by David S. Meyer

Again, it’s not American history.  Beck does know, however, that people like to find authorities who agree with them.  The fact that people who like what Glenn Beck, uh, teaches, can log onto Amazon and find real books (bound and … Continue reading →

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What Glenn Beck knows

Posted on October 28, 2010 by David S. Meyer

It’s not what he says he knows: American history or the  Constitution.  The factual errors in his history lessons appear routinely, draw criticism or correction, and then vanish into the ether.  They don’t appear to bother him, audience, or his … Continue reading →

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What happens on Facebook stays on Facebook

Posted on October 25, 2010 by David S. Meyer

I wish that line was mine, but it’s not.  Caroline Lee, skeptical about the potential impact of of social media on democracy in general and social movements specifically, offered the summary evaluation–along with some observations. The question is whether all … Continue reading →

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Strikes in France

Posted on October 21, 2010 by David S. Meyer

French citizens are taking to the streets in response to large cuts in social spending, most notably, an increase in the retirement age from 60 to 62.  Nicolas Sarkozy, like leaders in most of Europe, has pressed for these cuts … Continue reading →

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A March is not a Movement

Posted on October 19, 2010 by David S. Meyer

Fifteen years after the Million Man March, it’s hard to find any kind of substantial effect.  At The Root, Jon Jeter writes that Black community is more divided than it was in 1995, and that, as a group, Black men … Continue reading →

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Democratizing Inequalities

Posted on October 18, 2010 by David S. Meyer

At some point, the call for “power to the people” transmographied into calls for “empowerment.”  Demands for influence were answered by offers of inclusion or dialogue or deliberation. So, what does all this talking lead to? The question is whether … Continue reading →

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How are GLBT activists getting along? Don’t Ask.

Posted on October 12, 2010 by David S. Meyer

Federal Judge Virginia Phillips today issued an injunction banning the military’s enforcement of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell globally.   The decision is all over the news, of course.  Judge Phillips was responding to a suit filed by the Log Cabin Republicans … Continue reading →

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More on Westboro

Posted on October 7, 2010 by David S. Meyer

If you can find a remotely credible source that credits Westboro Baptist Church with even a hundred members, you’re a more energetic or skilled researcher than I am.  When Pastor Phelps describes his congregation as family, he’s not really stretching … Continue reading →

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