১০ অক্টোবর, ২০১৮

How can the NYT think this photograph is an illustration of "The Paranoid Style in G.O.P. Politics"?



The article, from 2 days ago, is "The Paranoid Style in G.O.P. Politics/Republicans are an authoritarian regime in waiting" by Paul Krugman. (The phrase "The Paranoid Style" is an invocation of the 1964 essay "The Paranoid Style in American Politics" by Richard Hofstadter.)

The photograph — which is a nice photograph by NYT photographer Damon Winter — shows anti-Kavanaugh protesters. The signs make that clear. Perhaps the idea is that "paranoid" Republicans characterize Democratic protesters as crazier than they really are. The only slightly "crazy" sign is the one that shows angry-face Kavanaugh wearing one of those hats that hold 2 beer cans with a tube feeding beer into the hat-wearers mouth. The protesters' faces look not crazy but — if I had to choose one word — concerned.

I haven't read a Paul Krugman column in a long time, but because the headline/photograph combination raised a question for me, I'm going to read to get my answer.

Krugman begins at a level that I consider rash. He calls Kavanaugh "a naked partisan who clearly lied under oath." This is why I don't read Krugman. It's red meat for readers who are hungry and know what they want. The Supreme Court's "moral authority" is "for the foreseeable future," "destroyed."

If there's one person who should not use the phrase "the foreseeable future," it's Krugman. It's alway a silly phrase. We're not psychics. We don't see into the future. But Krugman is famous for writing, the day after the 2016 election, that the financial markets will never recover from the election of Donald Trump. He should know he got burned and be careful.

Back to this new column. Krugman accuses Republicans — based on their performance during the Kavanaugh hearings — of "contempt for the truth" and "a rush to demonize any and all criticism." He sees Republicans as susceptible to "crazy conspiracy theories" because Kavanaugh accused the Democrats of making "a calculated and orchestrated political hit" and seeking "revenge" for Hillary Clinton's loss of the election. Kavanaugh's statement, according to Krugman,  was a "completely false, hysterical accusation." Completely false? That sounds... hysterical.

Trump made things worse, Krugman says, by "declaring, falsely (and with no evidence)" that some anti-Kavanaugh protesters were getting paid. How can Krugman know that the President has no evidence? How can Krugman know that it's false to say they were paid? Does Krugman have evidence conclusively proving that the protesters were all self-funding? I'd like to see an investigation into the inner workings of the protests, and I do think there shouldn't be accusations without evidence, but criticism of the accusers should model proper concern for evidence, or everyone seems to be putting partisan fervor above scrupulous adherence to the truth.

Midway through the column, Krugman shifts from saying that the GOP uses the "paranoid style" to the announcement: "the G.O.P. is an authoritarian regime in waiting." In Krugman's analysis, when those who hold government power use the paranoid style, it's evidence that they're going for authoritarianism. Krugman lists some things — evidence? —  "investigations," "scandals," "tax cheating," "self-dealing," "possible collusion with Russia," and then asks "Does anyone doubt that Trump would like to go full authoritarian, given the chance?"

Well, of course, many people doubt that Trump would like to go full authoritarian! Why did Krugman write a question in such an extreme form that any intelligent, fair person would have to answer yes? Is he paranoid?

I'm not quick to guess paranoid. I think it's more likely that he's angry, cynical, tired of losing, and aware of his readership. In other words, he's deeply entrenched in the very sort of political discourse he's hoping to critique. It's paranoid when they do it. Uh huh.

His last line is another look into the "foreseeable future": "If you aren’t terrified of where we might be in the very near future, you aren’t paying attention." Be scared! Be very afraid! Be terrified... of the way those other people are spreading fear!

And I still don't know why that's the right photograph. I can only guess that the idea is: Look at these very real, sincere faces. Surely, they paid their own expenses.

ADDED: With an eye out for paid protesters stories, I found "Trump apparently misunderstands ‘Fox & Friends’ joke, makes baffling tweet" (WaPo), which tries to understand a Trump tweet that says "The paid D.C. protesters are now ready to REALLY protest because they haven’t gotten their checks - in other words, they weren’t paid! Screamers in Congress, and outside, were far too obvious - less professional than anticipated by those paying (or not paying) the bills!" WaPo puzzles:
In a literal sense, it’s true that the protesters didn’t get checks, because as far as anyone knows they had not expected any payment. But Trump’s tweet seems to be an elaboration on the original fiction, rather than a retraction of it. As best we can discern, he’s saying the imaginary benefactors of imaginary paid protesters have skipped out on their imaginary obligations and left the imaginary paid protesters with imaginary unpaid wages.

It’s a weirdly specific scenario to conjure out of thin air. We can’t even find any fake news articles to support it....
Some Trumpsters theorized that Trump deliberately said something wrong to trick some protesters into admitting that they did get paid. But "the dominant theory" is that Trump heard Asra Nomani, a guest on “Fox & Friends,” say, "People have sent me lots of messages that they’re waiting for their check." Later, she said it was sarcasm, but whether it was a joke or not, Trump apparently didn't think it was a joke.

২৪৪টি মন্তব্য:

«সবচেয়ে পুরাতন   ‹পুরাতন   244 এর 201 – থেকে 244
Ann Althouse বলেছেন...

"Kavanaugh lied about what, exactly? Now, prove it."

The meaning of boof.

Ann Althouse বলেছেন...

Oh, cool, I got to be #201, the new page starter!

Michael K বলেছেন...

So is "boof" the new test case?

Good grief !

Rick বলেছেন...

Kavanaugh lied about what, exactly? Now, prove it."

The meaning of boof.


I can't tell if you're asserting this or reporting your impression of their beliefs.

Gunner বলেছেন...

In a recent article, Krugnuts said that he rarely hangs out with rich people. Enough said.

Arashi বলেছেন...

So I have done a bit of searching about the 'net - and I can come up with NO diffinitive definition of 'boof' from the early 1980s. There are several references to anal sex, putting contraband up your anus (prison reference from the 2000s), the sound a kayak makes when hitting the water after jumping over a rock pile in a river, some references to it meaning 'screwed', etc. So it measn whatever a bunch of kids in high school writing in their year books want it to mean at the time.

Besides - I seem to remember that when I was in high school, the kids I hung out with used a lot of words without knowing their text book definitions. We were kids - we made krap up all the time, and I am pretty sure Judge Kavanaugh and his friends did the same.

Jim at বলেছেন...

Paul Krugman? They guy who said the Internet would have just as much of an impact as the fax machine?

That Paul Krugman?

Qwinn বলেছেন...

My friends and I play a rule variation of Magic the Gathering called 'Blitzkrieg'. We've been calling it that since the 90's. We *think* it came from an old magazine but no one can find it now.

I am sure no one else in the country ever heard of it.

By the standards used against Kavanaugh, we will be forever barred from high office because our use of the term can have no possible meaning except that we want to engage in tank warfare on behalf of Nazis.

Alex বলেছেন...

It is my dream to wear that beer hat, the one with with 2 cans. That's the High Life.

AllenS বলেছেন...

Go ahead, Althouse, tell everyone what "boof" meant to Kavanaugh and his friends back when they were in high school.

Michael K বলেছেন...

Another warning for the left that they will ignore.

While 83 percent of respondents who make less than $50,000 dislike political correctness, just 70 percent of those who make more than $100,000 are skeptical about it. And while 87 percent who have never attended college think that political correctness has grown to be a problem, only 66 percent of those with a postgraduate degree share that sentiment.

Mounk ends with this sensible warning, which I expect the New York Times and Hillary Clinton will ignore:

The gap between the progressive perception and the reality of public views on this issue could do damage to the institutions that the woke elite collectively run. A publication whose editors think they represent the views of a majority of Americans when they actually speak to a small minority of the country may eventually see its influence wane and its readership decline. And a political candidate who believes she is speaking for half of the population when she is actually voicing the opinions of one-fifth is likely to lose the next election.


Amazingly enough, that was in the Atlantic, that magazine that keeps sending me free copies hoping I will subscribe.

Otto বলেছেন...

This isn't about boof but about a hoax along the lines of tawna brawly, duke lacrosse team and the UV frat house assault.
Yes this now smells.It should be investigated. I am sure Ann agrees.

Arashi বলেছেন...

What is a 'hoax like '... The Prof. Ford charges, or Judge Kavanaughs confirmation to the Supreme COurt?

Ken B বলেছেন...

We had students from that school testify that boof, to them when they went there a few years later, meant farting. So again, where is your proof?

Otto বলেছেন...

@3:39
Of CBF's claim with the 4 people she named at the party saying it never existed.

Arashi বলেছেন...

Otto - gotcha - yeah, it would be intersting to investigate the entirety of Prof. Fords allegations, who paid for her lawyers, when the second door actually got installed, how many times she has 'successfuly' flown on an airplane, who in DiFi's office leaked the letter, etc.

But I am not holding my breath waiting..

Ken B বলেছেন...

Allen S
You have noticed Althouse has used an obsolete meaning of “proof”. It used to mean test or examination, a “look-see”. That is why the proof of the pudding is in the eating. So according to this definition she has proof about boof. Ignore the obvious contradiction.

Amadeus 48 বলেছেন...

I've said it before: when I was in college in the late 60s, "boofer" was a slang term for a fart. I went to a national school where about 20% of the students were from California, and the Cali kids were the ones that said it. It is no great stretch to see that term popping out, as it were, in a DC prep school ten years later.
As long as we're engaging in fantastical speculation, I want to more about Ford and "Squi" Garrett. Her story sounds more like what a drunken, misguided boyfriend (like Garrett) might try rather than something that a relative stranger (like Kavanaugh) might do. Why did they break up? Why wouldn't or couldn't she say Garrett's name at the hearing? Is she really telling about something that happened? Did she re-purpose an event from her life to keep Kavanaugh off the bench? What was in her internet history?
Inquiring minds want to know.

Achilles বলেছেন...

Ann Althouse said...
"Kavanaugh lied about what, exactly? Now, prove it."

The meaning of boof.

Are you joking or serious?

Chuck বলেছেন...

Jay Elink;

Yes, I think that the best "paid protester" story is the detail surrounding the self-confessed (proudly so) elevator-harasser of Senator Jeff Flake. She is Ana Maria Archila, whose regular job is as Co-Executive Director of the Center for Popular Democracy, which is a kind of a collection of former ACORN groups under a new umbrella organization. It is pure, unadulterated left wing activism.

Does she make 170k/yr. at that job? She is leading an organization with about 100 employees, which has a Board and offices in Brooklyn and Washington DC. I'd be very surprised if she didn't make that much. She is a very well paid activist.

Amadeus 48 বলেছেন...

Achilles--she is joking. In fact, it's hilarious. The Dems are tying themselves in knots, acting very serious, pulling their long faces (look at Sen. Leahy) about a fart joke. They want to have an impeachment over a fart joke.
There's only one thing to say about that: "Whoever smelt it, dealt it! I call."

Chuck বলেছেন...

No one can possibly be serious about "boofing." I'm certain Althouse is not trying to be serious.

Here is a young Tom Cruise in Risky Business on "boffing." Not "boofing."

Bilwick বলেছেন...

In reading the NYT and other "liberal" publications, you always have to translate from the Hivespeak to plain English. To "liberals" (and by that I mean of course "tax-happy, coercion-addicted, power-tripping government humpers and State shtuppers") the word "paranoid" means "being overly concerned that someone is trying to take away your freedom." They accuse those of us who value our freedom of being paranoid as they try to take away our freedom.

I believe the kids nowadays call that "Kafkatrapping."

Ken B বলেছেন...

Chuck
Ann went all in on “she feels true”. She can be serious about boof. Hardin can explain it.

AllenS বলেছেন...

Achilles said...
Ann Althouse said...
"Kavanaugh lied about what, exactly? Now, prove it."

The meaning of boof.

Are you joking or serious?


I bother Althouse, and she does not know how to respond to my comments. I think that this goes back to the fact that I know someone that Althouse hates, which means, Althouse can't like
me. No problemo.

Darkisland বলেছেন...


Blogger Bob Boyd said...

Intentional dishonesty is fundamental to Progressive-ism.

True that. But why use the euphemism "Progressive" We should all call it what it is "Fascism". There is no ideological, political, ethical or any other difference between what is called progressiveism and Mussolini's Fascism as spelled out in his Doctrine of Fascism.

They're fascists and fuck them.

John Henry

Darkisland বলেছেন...

Blogger Ann Althouse said...

"Kavanaugh lied about what, exactly? Now, prove it."

The meaning of boof.


Bullshit, Ann. You should be ashamed of yourself. (Unless you are joking)

References to "boof" as a synonym for fart have been found in 1950's joke books. Screenshots were posted online.

"Fart proudly!" As Benjamin Franklin is alleged to have said but probably didn't.

John Henry

Amadeus 48 বলেছেন...

Look, if Althouse is serious about a fart joke, she is not the woman I think she is. She loves fart jokes...for some reason...a certain earthiness in her personality. She grew up when most of us did, and her father kept Playboy on the coffee table.

I am not a fan of Ford's (I think this was an intentional hit job all the way), but we all have feelz. If AA wants to believe Ford is telling the truth, that's her business.

Ken B বলেছেন...

Any word can have a sexual meaning. This is especially true of unusual or made up words. Imagine a meaning for slam, wham, bam, flam, tram, cram, jam, ham. Easy to imagine they all mean something sexual. But it does not mean that any given group of people use it that way and no other. Which is what Ann asserts about boof.

Ken B বলেছেন...

Amadeus 48
It’s her business to believe what she wants but NOT to claim boof is proof of lying. That goes beyond a private belief.

Chuck বলেছেন...

By the way; about "boffing" in the film Risky Business

The film debuted in August 1983. Kavanaugh's Georgetown Prep yearbook was prepared before his graduation in the spring of '83. The supposed party with Dr. Ford occurred in the summer of 1982.

Amadeus 48 বলেছেন...

A lot of law professors seem all hung up about that high school yearbook--you should read David Post over at the Volokh Conspiracy--he is making a fool of himself. I think they feel a lot of peer pressure not to approve of Kavanaugh's confirmation, so they reach for something, anything that they can use to justify what is an essentially an uncritical, irrational, partisan judgment.

I don't put Althouse in that category, but she clearly doesn't like Kavanaugh, so she tilts towards Ford.

Amadeus 48 বলেছেন...

Hey AllenS--I love your comments.

AllenS বলেছেন...

Thank you, Amadeus 48.

Ken B বলেছেন...

Notice Ann isn’t peddling Devils Triangle. It’s so silly there is no chance of getting away with it. Boof is the easier sell.

Otto বলেছেন...

It'a all a diversion to take attention away from the hoax perpetrated by the deep state : CBF, her former FBI friend , lawyer Bromwich and the SSCI which Feinstein is a member of.

Big Mike বলেছেন...

Ted Cruz and Martha McSally are behind in formerly reliable red states.

To my knowledge Ted Cruz has never been behind in any poll except perhaps the one that the media hacks take among themselves in a hotel bar late at night. McSally is ahead, comfortably so, in a poll taken by ABC last week, but 3 points behind in a CBS poll taken in the same time frame. I don't think they're talking to the same "likely voters."

I am hoping that Scott does his usual good job handling the Florida state government in the face of the hurricane named for me (if any hurricane deserves to be called "Big Mike," it's this one), which will put him in front of Nelson in Florida.

Right now I think I will lose my Congresswoman, but I think that Pelosi will not be speaker next January. Keeping fingers crossed. I look for 55-45 Republican in the Senate.

Big Mike বলেছেন...

@Althouse, I lived in Montgomery County in the early 1980s. Kavanaugh is not lying about the meaning of "boof." Now you and Sheldon Whitehouse can get together with Dave Barry and tell fart jokes to each other.

Historical footnote: the oldest known joke has been found written in cuneiform and baked into a clay tablet. It is a fart joke. "Things which have never been seen: a young wife sat on her husband's lap without farting."

I guess it must be in the delivery.

n.n বলেছেন...

We were kids - we made krap up all the time

Today's gold standard for recorded semantic drift, contortion, and creation is "Urban Dictionary." However, language divergence has been a process that achieved a chain reaction sometime in the mid-20th century, with the progress of special and peculiar interests, and deconstruction of the right and center brands (and conversely the elevation of left brands).

Ingachuck'stoothlessARM বলেছেন...

re: Krugman

"are you saying his entire fallacy is wrong??"

Guildofcannonballs বলেছেন...

"Hey AllenS--I love your comments."

I do too. The fact MR. COOPPER chose AllenS to use his "Delete your comment" line was no reason not to respect COOPPER though.

All in all, if Althouse didn't love us she would stop not actively trying to silence us.

You either love someone, or ya hate 'em.

Brando knows.

Guildofcannonballs বলেছেন...

Oh and Nino, Nino knew and Nino still knows.

You've heard it here.

ccscientist বলেছেন...

Trump has been trying to REDUCE regulations and taxes--hardly sounds authoritarian. Obama spied on more journalists and actually deported more people than Trump. It is the Dems who want to regulate straws and plastic bags and gas mileage not the repubs.

stlcdr বলেছেন...

"Any word can have a sexual meaning..."

'That's what she said.'
'Said the actress to the bishop.'

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