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The Democratic Party Is Killing Itself

Well, one hopes so.

At American Greatness:

"As the Democrats’ political rhetoric and policy proposals have become more explicitly anti-white and socialistic, naturally white voters will look for a political home elsewhere." —Ian Henderson https://t.co/8WdAFYR3RI

— Brendon Peck 🍎 (@PeckPolitics) July 4, 2018

'Abolish ICE' a Sign of the Left's Rising Extremism

Totally.

At the New York Post:

‘Abolish ICE’ is a sign of the left’s rising extremism https://t.co/hq7sAu8asz

— Newt Gingrich (@newtgingrich) July 5, 2018

Leftist Can't Come to Grips With Loss of Power

It's V.D.H., at I.B.D., "The sudden and unexpectedly loss of power has driven the Left mad":

To progressives, Trump became not an opponent to beaten with a better agenda, but an evil to be destroyed. Moderate Democrats were written off as dense; left-wing fringe elements were praised as clever.

Voters in 2016 bristled at redistribution, open borders, bigger government and higher taxes, but progressives are now promising those voters even more of what they didn't want.

Furious over the sudden and unexpected loss of power, enraged progressives have so far done almost everything to lose even more of it.

And that paradox only leads to more furor.

RTWT.

Looking at the Left at Concordia University

This is an enlightening piece, at Quillette, "Through the Looking Glass at Concordia University."

And interesting is the little Twitter exchange:

Well, it finally happened: a class of mine got singled out in a "horrors of the left" thinkpiece! My friend even got quoted! WE DID IT!https://t.co/nMF9W5wqAQ

— HANSA, the incredible melting man (@hansainallcaps) July 4, 2018

The teacher of said class emailed this article to his former students being like "do you guys even remember this happening???" and I feel like there were maybe better ways to handle that.

— HANSA, the incredible melting man (@hansainallcaps) July 4, 2018

If a student writes an article for a public audience is it kosher for professors to send it out in a mass email to other students for scrutiny? https://t.co/fvJxS6OHMl

— Claire Lehmann (@clairlemon) July 5, 2018

Thanks for the RT, but I'm just gonna take the liberty of blocking you now - I'm not down to inadvertently promote your shitty website, and I'm definitely not interested in debating the flood of randos you've unleashed upon my mentions.

— HANSA, the incredible melting man (@hansainallcaps) July 5, 2018

Alan Dershowitz 'Shunned' by Leftists on Martha's Vineyard

He's supported President Trump and he's got a book out on Tuesday arguing against impeachment, at Amazon, The Case Against Impeaching Trump.

And at Instapundit, "ONE OF THE WAYS YOU CAN TELL THAT LEFTISM IS A RELIGION IS ITS RELIANCE ON SHUNNING APOSTATES: The Martha’s Vineyard Crowd Strikes Back at Alan Dershowitz for His Defenses of Trump."

Oral History of 'The Purge' Franchise

I gotta go see this new "Purge" flick.

I love these movies and I saw the election purge in theaters last time around. They're so accurate, heh.

At LAT, "An oral history of 'The Purge' franchise: From micro-horror breakout to Trump-era cautionary tale":

An oral history of "The Purge" franchise: From micro-horror breakout to Trump-era cautionary tale https://t.co/P2wWVsSuHf pic.twitter.com/GlPxOw4MZ1

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) July 4, 2018

When filmmaker James DeMonaco and his longtime production partner Sébastien Lemercier started working on "an X-rated treatise on violence," they had no idea they would eventually conceive of "The Purge."

"We thought it was going to be an independent Michael Haneke-type of film that would play in one theater in New York," said DeMonaco, who wrote and directed the first three movies in the ongoing "Purge" franchise.

"People were telling us it was way too anti-American,” DeMonaco said of the concept set in a near-future dystopia in which a dominant ultraconservative party, dubbed the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA), has legalized all crime for one night each year. “So our original search for financing was completely independent. We had no thoughts [of] wide distribution or anything."

That all changed after the script landed on the desk of producer Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse Productions. Blum had recently signed a three-year deal with Universal Pictures and was tasked with delivering genre movies that cost $4 million or less to make. He gave DeMonaco and Lemercier $3 million to make their film.
"It's really hard to make low-budget movies resonate, so I always told the filmmakers, ‘We'll worry about a sequel if it's a hit,’ ” said Blum. "Once we're doing sequels, we have a piece of IP that has been proven, so we're willing to invest more. But on the first movie, we don't think about what's going to be our next."

What would come next would be three sequels and a spinoff television show in a franchise that has earned more than $320 million worldwide even before the release of the fourth film, “The First Purge,” on July 4...

More.

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Happy Birthday, U.S.A.!

Seen on Twitter:

So this is how #Texas reporters spend time on Independence Day when stuck in the car in rain. 💞💞💞 https://t.co/5hl3Z8Em4M

— Kathleen McKinley (@KatMcKinley) July 4, 2018

When you’re trapped at a gas station surrounded by flash flooding on #IndependenceDay, there’s only one thing to do! 😄😄🇺🇸🇺🇸 Happy birthday, USA!! #ProudAmerican #GodBlessTheUSA #LeeGreenwood #AClassic #Murica pic.twitter.com/n3q8QkOKK5

— Ivory Hecker FOX 26 (@IvoryHecker) July 4, 2018

I’m proud. Actually heard @TheLeeGreenwood sing the song a week or so ago. Good stuff. pic.twitter.com/di7e3QlRLr

— FreedomIsNoJoke (@freedomisnojoke) July 5, 2018

Facebook Algorithm Flags, Removes Declaration of Independence Text as Hate Speech

This just so so badly, it's un-American.

At Reason, "A post consisting almost entirely of text from the Declaration of Independence was flagged by Facebook, which said the post 'goes against our standards on hate speech'."

A post consisting almost entirely of text from the Declaration of Independence was flagged by Facebook, which said the post "goes against our standards on hate speech." https://t.co/NXlkTypZyy

— reason (@reason) July 3, 2018

Angie Harmon on 4th of July

Flashback, "Angie Harmon: 'I Disagree With Obama'."

Such a great American dream woman patriot.

Happy 4th of July everybody!

Kate Upton in Aruba (VIDEO)

She's so lovely.

Democrats and Leftists Hate America

We're constantly told how politically "polarized" we are as a nation.

Since I teach politics I talk about the phenomenon all the time.

But step away from the desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone --- and enjoy real human interaction --- and life doesn't seem so polarized. One simple solution to the polarization problem is to focus on the things in life that aren't political. I'd submit that many of our current divisions are rooted in our practice of collective digitized news consumption, especially among the young and digitally mobile (and that's following up on my previous entry, "How Our Online Experiences Shape Our Political Identities.") Take away the constant social media political virtue signaling, and regular life becomes more shared and cooperative. Life becomes more like a community. People actually talk to each other.

I'll flesh out these hypotheses in future posts. Meanwhile, take a look at some of the Independence Day polling on patriotism and leftist hatred. Democrats don't love America, they hate America; and such antipathy to the United States predates the Trump administration. Current politics has only accelerated a trend of leftist anti-nationalism and self-loathing that's been building for a while.

See Gallup and USA Today, for instance:

A new USA TODAY/Ipsos poll about patriotism finds an overwhelming majority of those surveyed say they are proud to be Americans. But they're split almost down the middle, 42% to 39%, when asked whether they are proud of America right now. https://t.co/taaeTbpi8N #FourthofJuly pic.twitter.com/gE858zTNNS

— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) July 2, 2018

Gallup: Just 47% are "extremely proud" to be an American, the lowest on record in Gallup polling the question.

The number of Democrats "extremely proud" dropped 11% this year to 32% while the number of Republicans increased 2% to 74%. pic.twitter.com/hEQeHJO3JX

— Josh Jordan (@NumbersMuncher) July 3, 2018

RT CarrieNBCNews: From Gallup: Just 47 percent in the U.S. say they're "extremely proud" to be Americans -- a record low. Among Dems, it's just 32%, compared with 74% for Republicans. https://t.co/GTvUgJmeBO pic.twitter.com/E3AhDQGqMQ

— MTP Daily (@MTPDaily) July 2, 2018

You can read Allahpundit for an analysis of the trends (hint: decline in patriotism is literally an exclusive phenomenon on the ideological left).

In U.S., Record-Low 47% Extremely Proud to Be Americans https://t.co/oMCZ094JA0

— Allahpundit (@allahpundit) July 2, 2018

Now, for some digital youth anti-Amnericanism, I give you Leila Ettachfini and her America-loathing screed at Vice:

The constitution means nothing and being American is embarrassing at best

— Leila Ettachfini (@LeilaEttachfini) June 26, 2018

How to Celebrate the 4th of July When America Is a Constant Disappointment https://t.co/gZT139Y7FU via @broadly

— Zahra Billoo (@ZahraBilloo) July 3, 2018

And from the article:

America has always been bad, no matter who the president is or was. Since Trump’s election, however, the qualities that make America particularly bad—racism, sexism, homophobia, the institutionalized manifestations of each of these, et cetera—have been emboldened, forcing many people to reckon with the ugly reality of their beloved USA. “This is not America,” I keep hearing. But the truth of the matter is that family separation, a disregard for Black lives, homophobia, and every other incarnation of white male supremacy are exactly what America is made of. In light of that, celebrating the Fourth of July in the spirit of patriotism may sound far from appealing. Here are some alternative ways to celebrate the Fourth of July that include less blind nationalism and more uplifting communities that American institutions have so long worked against.

Now if you read the entire essay, you'll find that all of the "alternative ways" to celebrate the Fourth are found in progressive, far-left political activism, including things like asking "fellow guests if they’re registered to vote, and tell them how to do that if they don’t know," and shopping for food and party supplies at businesses "operated by indigenous people or other communities who face systemic disadvantages in the U.S."

When talking about polarization, and especially the generational dynamics of America hatred, reading articles like this one confirms those worries of people who say they're scared for the future of our country.

If one hates America, you won't defend it. Indeed, younger Americans --- the digitized online-identiy generation --- are working assiduously to tear it down.

And with that wonderful news, enjoy your 4th of July!

How Our Online Experiences Shape Our Political Identities

Online culture is predominantly political culture nowadays. I'm really fascinated by this idea and look forward to reading more empirical academic research on it. Meanwhile, leftist culture warriors aren't waiting for the peer-reviewed prognosticators of culture to lay down some existential verities.

Seen just now on Twitter, FWIW:

I had the pleasure of co-editing @VICE Magazine's annual print photo issue, which loosely explores how our experiences online inform our identities. All the writers I commissioned are incredible (!!) and you can read their essays here: https://t.co/q2B6MqfbmU pic.twitter.com/KLlULh4UGf

— Sarah Burke (@sarahlubyburke) June 19, 2018

Rep. Jim Jordan Accused of 'Turning Blind Eye' to Sex Abuse as Ohio State Wrestling Coach

Jim Jordan's a Republican, so naturally leftists would try to destroy him with bogus allegations.

See Gateway Pundit, "Deep State Targets Conservative Favorite Jim Jordan w/ Vicious Smear Campaign After Announcing Speakership Plans."

Deep State Targets Conservative Favorite Jim Jordan w/ Vicious Smear Campaign After Announcing Speakership Plans @CristinaLaila1 https://t.co/eEaj2vuFtZ via @gatewaypundit

— Jim Hoft (@gatewaypundit) July 3, 2018

AMLO the Populist

Third time's a charm for Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO).

He ran in 2006 and 2012, and this year he triumphed --- in a landslide. And he's a populist. A leftist populist, but still. It freaks elitist media types out if you're for the common man. It's better if you're a Bernie-style populist rather than a Trumper. But it's still an issue either way.

At LAT, "With Mexico presidential election, another step in global populism — but this time from the left":

With Mexico presidential election, another step in global populism — but this time from the left https://t.co/Qe2Nfnhmc7 pic.twitter.com/PQT7NtigPd

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) July 2, 2018

The victory of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in Sunday’s presidential election in Mexico is yet another advance for the global march of populism, an ideology that feeds on both fear and hope.

In Mexico, however, populism comes with a twist: Lopez Obrador emerges from a leftist tradition in a sea of right-wing tendencies.

From the election in 2016 in the United States of Donald Trump to the rising leaders in Hungary, Italy and other U.S. allies, populism is posing new challenges to modern democracy.

An often anti-intellectual or xenophobic movement, populism capitalizes on existential worries among middle- and working-class populations who see their jobs being lost to technology or to lower-paid workers.

It can offer unrealistic expectations and often stokes people’s fears of immigrants and outsiders, criminals and terrorists, while railing against an ill-defined traditional elite portrayed as callously distant from the concerns of ordinary citizens.

Those touchstones are clearly part of a Trump playbook. Lopez Obrador also appeals to the common man, but his brand of populism does not employ the same level of negativity or tap into racist or nativist beliefs. It remains to be seen how it will evolve.

The underlying call to action in such a climate is to take a sledgehammer to the system, to “throw the bums out,” or, memorably, to drain the swamp.

Like Trump, Lopez Obrador benefited from a strong current of outrage where many voters felt disenfranchised, left out or overlooked.

His campaign rhetoric did not vary much from his earlier runs for president in 2006 and in 2012. He railed against Mexico's elite and the neo-liberal economic policies embraced by Mexico's leaders, but which many feel have left the working class behind.

What was different this time was the mood of the electorate.

“Mexicans are very angry,” said Genaro Lozano, a professor of political science and international relations at the Iberoamerican University in Mexico City.

It’s not difficult to understand why. Violence is at a modern high and fetid corruption infects seemingly every level of the established, sclerotic government. Around half of Mexico’s population lives in poverty, and the country ranks near the bottom of developed nations for social mobility, the chance to get ahead...

RTWT.

How Trump’s Supreme Court Pick Could Undo Kennedy’s Legacy

There was a lot of eye-rolling over Jeffrey Toobin's tweet the other day, and I gotta admit, it's a bit over the top.

And linked is the whole article, at the New Yorker:

See the new @USSupremeCourt clearly: Abortion illegal; doctors prosecuted; gay people barred from restaurants, hotels, stores; African-Americans out of elite schools; gun control banned in 50 states; the end of regulatory state. My @NewYorker column.https://t.co/ik0fa4XDIK

— Jeffrey Toobin (@JeffreyToobin) July 1, 2018

Collapse of the Never-Trumpers

Here's the original essay, at Am Spec, "The Collapse of the Never-Trump Conservatives."

It's time to move on. https://t.co/mh3GSM5Wpj

— American Spectator (@amspectator) June 29, 2018

And Jonah Goldberg's response, which is a little of the he doth protest too much variety, "Another Lazy ‘Never Trump’ Screed."

Another Lazy ‘Never Trump’ Screed https://t.co/9uKUEvHR5J pic.twitter.com/lOnIN6PAKG

— National Review (@NRO) July 3, 2018

Gaping Void for the Democrats

I'm still just jazzed with the developments in New York's 14th congressional district, and of course nationally.

At WaPo, "Crowley’s loss leaves gaping void for next generation of Democratic leaders":

The fact that Joe Crowley's surprising defeat has created a leadership vacuum for House Democrats -- detailed nicely here by @pkcapitol -- underscores one of the party's problems https://t.co/mxyKBQwonM

— Philip Rucker (@PhilipRucker) June 27, 2018

Rep. Joseph Crowley did not hide his ambition to be House speaker some day. Now, after his stunning primary loss Tuesday, the next generation of Democratic leaders is a blank slate.

The congressman from Queens set out on a mission over the past year to put himself in place to one day, whenever Democrats won back the majority, grab the gavel and run the House.

“I find myself possibly in the position of — where what I’ve attained so far in terms of leadership — that may happen in the future. It may not,” Crowley told The Washington Post last fall while campaigning for several Democrats around Las Vegas.

On Tuesday, that dream came crashing down, with Crowley becoming the latest in an entire generation of Democratic emerging leaders to fail in their quest to seize the mantle from the 70-something trio of liberals atop the House caucus for more than a decade.

Crowley’s crushing defeat came at the hands of an underfunded challenger on his ideological flank in a party primary. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 28, is a former Bernie Sanders campaign organizer who called for the abolition of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency amid the public outcry over President Trump’s migrant separation policy.

Crowley’s loss drew immediate comparisons to the stunning upset of Eric Cantor (R-Va.) four years ago when he was the sitting House majority leader and lost to now-Rep. Dave Brat (Va.) in the GOP primary.

But, in that instance, House Republicans had several other young lawmakers who had the standing and support to rise into top posts, including House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.), who was waiting in the wings for another year to take charge.

Crowley, 56, despite being in his 20th year in office, was considered a relative newcomer to Democratic leadership circles because the other three have been at the top since early last decade, longer than most House Democrats have even served in Congress.

RTWT.

'Families Belong Together' (VIDEO)

I actually watched MSNBC's coverage yesterday afternoon, which was wall-to-wall cheer-leading.