Some supporters of the current administration have accused the intelligence agencies of attempting to wage a deep state coup against the President. Meanwhile, some critics of this “Loser President” open embrace such activity.
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Glenn Greenwald of The Intercept explains what the deep state is and critiques the idea and implications of a deep state coup, warning that such a development signals the end of democracy.
The “truth” or a “right” position is often not as cut and dried as we would like to believe. What do you feel when you read something like this: “[Richard] Spencer has used his right to free speech to call for “peaceful ethnic cleansing” — presumably this entails scaring people into fleeing and/or using the legal system to forcibly purge all people of color and indigenous peoples from the United States”? Do you—taking the position of a free speech purist or absolutist–believe this person (Spencer) has the right to speak such words in a public forum? On the other hand, do you resonate more with a position like “Unlimited tolerance must lead to the disappearance of tolerance. If we extend unlimited tolerance even to those who are intolerant, if we are not prepared to defend a tolerant society against the onslaught of the intolerant, then the tolerant will be destroyed, and tolerance with them.” ~Mirah Curzer
Akin to a seekingGood posting regarding objectivity and neutrality, Julia Serano, author if Whipping Girl, presents a challenge to our ideas regarding free speech.
While Ms. Serano posted the original article a couple weeks ago, the response was so strong, on the 19th of Feb, she posted a follow-up.
(Posted by Academe Blog)
Most of us are unaware of the many layered aspects of language. The relative absence of such awareness can often cost us in ways of which we will never be aware. When attempting to influence opinion using words (or sometimes behaviors) in the public sphere, a heightened awareness of our use of language can significantly increase the success of our efforts. In a Feb 07, 2017 Travis Smiley interview, George Lakoff, a distinguished linguist, shared some ideas for effectively reaching the broadest spectrum of individuals. You can also read Lakoff’s comments from July 2016 regarding the current president during the campaign.
An article to appear in the March 2017 issue of The Atlantic considers the possible state of the U.S. in the year 2021 after four years of the new regime in Washington. The lead story entitled “How to Build an Autocracy” presents a possible scenario by which this country could become “illiberal”. The article, by David Frum can also be assesses as an audio recording.
Seeking Good 