fluxt [née fluxed]
@fluxt.bsky.social
Journalism. Ethics. Propaganda. Art. History. Transit. Urban Planning. Politics. Disinformation. Climate. Science. Technology. Creativity. Photography. Media. Met Henry Mancini+Derek Jarman. Played snooker with a Sex Pistol. Non-theist. 44.9778° N 93.2650°
From a reddit user, commenting on the words "Defend the Homeland" emblazoned on an ICE vehicle parked in downtown Minneapolis:
"The irony of being parked under the 'You are on native land' banner on the lightpost."
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
"The irony of being parked under the 'You are on native land' banner on the lightpost."
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
December 20, 2025 at 3:44 AM
From a reddit user, commenting on the words "Defend the Homeland" emblazoned on an ICE vehicle parked in downtown Minneapolis:
"The irony of being parked under the 'You are on native land' banner on the lightpost."
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
"The irony of being parked under the 'You are on native land' banner on the lightpost."
www.reddit.com/r/Minneapoli...
Bannon seems to like that word, "metastasize."
He applies it here to "jihadist Islamic fascism," in the context of a discussion of his right-populist critique of the state of things in 2014.
He applies it here to "jihadist Islamic fascism," in the context of a discussion of his right-populist critique of the state of things in 2014.
December 20, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Bannon seems to like that word, "metastasize."
He applies it here to "jihadist Islamic fascism," in the context of a discussion of his right-populist critique of the state of things in 2014.
He applies it here to "jihadist Islamic fascism," in the context of a discussion of his right-populist critique of the state of things in 2014.
Interesting and instructive. And as an illustration of the changed media environment we reside in at present, at the time of its publishing (1974), sizeable excerpts from Marks' and Marchetti's book on the C.I.A.'s hijinks were widely syndicated in daily newspapers throughout the U.S. and elsewhere.
December 20, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Interesting and instructive. And as an illustration of the changed media environment we reside in at present, at the time of its publishing (1974), sizeable excerpts from Marks' and Marchetti's book on the C.I.A.'s hijinks were widely syndicated in daily newspapers throughout the U.S. and elsewhere.
"Mr. Freud, please explain to the jury how Ms. Wiles was able to wield outsize influence on Mr. Trump, and by extension, on the members of the Cabinet."
December 20, 2025 at 2:30 AM
"Mr. Freud, please explain to the jury how Ms. Wiles was able to wield outsize influence on Mr. Trump, and by extension, on the members of the Cabinet."
The most economical solution might be the removal of just one letter, which is in itself kind of a neutering or a negation…
December 19, 2025 at 9:47 PM
The most economical solution might be the removal of just one letter, which is in itself kind of a neutering or a negation…
“Named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, it is the sole national memorial to the martyred President…”
The psychological dimensions of Trump’s compulsion to plaster his name on the front of this edifice are interesting, to say the least.
The psychological dimensions of Trump’s compulsion to plaster his name on the front of this edifice are interesting, to say the least.
December 19, 2025 at 6:05 PM
“Named the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, it is the sole national memorial to the martyred President…”
The psychological dimensions of Trump’s compulsion to plaster his name on the front of this edifice are interesting, to say the least.
The psychological dimensions of Trump’s compulsion to plaster his name on the front of this edifice are interesting, to say the least.
In the 1889 essay, he allows that while it may be "desirable theoretically" that "it is a nobler ideal that man should labor, not for himself alone, but in and for a brotherhood of his fellows," it's too scary and inconvenient to contemplate revolution — and anyway, capitalism is where we're at...
December 18, 2025 at 3:48 AM
In the 1889 essay, he allows that while it may be "desirable theoretically" that "it is a nobler ideal that man should labor, not for himself alone, but in and for a brotherhood of his fellows," it's too scary and inconvenient to contemplate revolution — and anyway, capitalism is where we're at...
He liked a progressive death tax, saying that for those with "enormous fortunes" who die, "one half goes to the state."
He said: "The average man who makes a million makes paupers as well. He has taken more than a fair share of the products of labor and wealth, and pauperism is one of the results."
He said: "The average man who makes a million makes paupers as well. He has taken more than a fair share of the products of labor and wealth, and pauperism is one of the results."
December 18, 2025 at 3:48 AM
He liked a progressive death tax, saying that for those with "enormous fortunes" who die, "one half goes to the state."
He said: "The average man who makes a million makes paupers as well. He has taken more than a fair share of the products of labor and wealth, and pauperism is one of the results."
He said: "The average man who makes a million makes paupers as well. He has taken more than a fair share of the products of labor and wealth, and pauperism is one of the results."
Andrew Carnegie was no Communist, obvs, but he did speak this in a church appearance in 1892 (riffing on his 1889 essay, "The Gospel of Wealth"):
"Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community from which it was derived."
"Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community from which it was derived."
December 18, 2025 at 3:48 AM
Andrew Carnegie was no Communist, obvs, but he did speak this in a church appearance in 1892 (riffing on his 1889 essay, "The Gospel of Wealth"):
"Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community from which it was derived."
"Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community from which it was derived."
"All In The Family" producer Norman Lear, in 2022 (he died a year later, at 101):
www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/o...
www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/o...
December 15, 2025 at 4:25 PM
"All In The Family" producer Norman Lear, in 2022 (he died a year later, at 101):
www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/o...
www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/o...
JFC, indeed.
$10 says he has way more than a >10% concentration in that nebulizer. If it's a 40/60 or 50/50 mix on a regular basis he's possibly in very deep trouble. How careful would this guy be to think through the nuances of proper concentration?
$10 says he has way more than a >10% concentration in that nebulizer. If it's a 40/60 or 50/50 mix on a regular basis he's possibly in very deep trouble. How careful would this guy be to think through the nuances of proper concentration?
December 14, 2025 at 6:35 AM
JFC, indeed.
$10 says he has way more than a >10% concentration in that nebulizer. If it's a 40/60 or 50/50 mix on a regular basis he's possibly in very deep trouble. How careful would this guy be to think through the nuances of proper concentration?
$10 says he has way more than a >10% concentration in that nebulizer. If it's a 40/60 or 50/50 mix on a regular basis he's possibly in very deep trouble. How careful would this guy be to think through the nuances of proper concentration?
In the same 1978 piece above, Cronkite himself says he once considered closing the evening news with, "and
for further details, read your newspaper." He goes on to say the network news should "merely whet the appetite for more details."
In this more probing piece on Cronkite from 1974, he said...
for further details, read your newspaper." He goes on to say the network news should "merely whet the appetite for more details."
In this more probing piece on Cronkite from 1974, he said...
December 14, 2025 at 5:52 AM
In the same 1978 piece above, Cronkite himself says he once considered closing the evening news with, "and
for further details, read your newspaper." He goes on to say the network news should "merely whet the appetite for more details."
In this more probing piece on Cronkite from 1974, he said...
for further details, read your newspaper." He goes on to say the network news should "merely whet the appetite for more details."
In this more probing piece on Cronkite from 1974, he said...
1978: Richard Salant, head of CBS News, was "openly disturbed by statistics that show the majority of the people rely on television as a major news source."
"A terrible statistic. It takes an informed public to run the government and they can't be really informed if we're the sole source of news."
"A terrible statistic. It takes an informed public to run the government and they can't be really informed if we're the sole source of news."
December 14, 2025 at 5:52 AM
1978: Richard Salant, head of CBS News, was "openly disturbed by statistics that show the majority of the people rely on television as a major news source."
"A terrible statistic. It takes an informed public to run the government and they can't be really informed if we're the sole source of news."
"A terrible statistic. It takes an informed public to run the government and they can't be really informed if we're the sole source of news."
In 1974, largely as a result of Watergate coverage, Walter Cronkite of CBS was rated "most trusted" TV newscaster, and "most objective" by both liberals & conservatives. Interestingly, at the bottom right of the last chart you can see that 19% of conservatives said all anchors were "not objective."
December 14, 2025 at 5:52 AM
In 1974, largely as a result of Watergate coverage, Walter Cronkite of CBS was rated "most trusted" TV newscaster, and "most objective" by both liberals & conservatives. Interestingly, at the bottom right of the last chart you can see that 19% of conservatives said all anchors were "not objective."
At the same time, the California State Democratic Chairman, Robert L. Coate, accused Ronald Reagan of "being front man for various right-wing extremist groups."
"Coate yesterday challenged the GOP gubernatorial candidate 'to stop deploring bigots and start kicking them out of your campaign.'"
"Coate yesterday challenged the GOP gubernatorial candidate 'to stop deploring bigots and start kicking them out of your campaign.'"
December 14, 2025 at 12:15 AM
At the same time, the California State Democratic Chairman, Robert L. Coate, accused Ronald Reagan of "being front man for various right-wing extremist groups."
"Coate yesterday challenged the GOP gubernatorial candidate 'to stop deploring bigots and start kicking them out of your campaign.'"
"Coate yesterday challenged the GOP gubernatorial candidate 'to stop deploring bigots and start kicking them out of your campaign.'"
From Reagan's 1966 gubernatorial campaign, in the context of the John Birch controversy:
"'I see nothing wrong with denouncing extremism,' Reagan told a news conference Friday. 'But it would be wrong for us to set ourselves up as a judge and jury and try to decide what constitutes extremism.'"
"'I see nothing wrong with denouncing extremism,' Reagan told a news conference Friday. 'But it would be wrong for us to set ourselves up as a judge and jury and try to decide what constitutes extremism.'"
December 14, 2025 at 12:15 AM
From Reagan's 1966 gubernatorial campaign, in the context of the John Birch controversy:
"'I see nothing wrong with denouncing extremism,' Reagan told a news conference Friday. 'But it would be wrong for us to set ourselves up as a judge and jury and try to decide what constitutes extremism.'"
"'I see nothing wrong with denouncing extremism,' Reagan told a news conference Friday. 'But it would be wrong for us to set ourselves up as a judge and jury and try to decide what constitutes extremism.'"
Rousselot, from this 1964 piece (in which he said the extremism controversy helped Birch):
"Who's to say what's more important, the Negro's civil rights or property rights guaranteed by the Constitution? Property rights are a basic human right. You can't separate property rights from other rights."
"Who's to say what's more important, the Negro's civil rights or property rights guaranteed by the Constitution? Property rights are a basic human right. You can't separate property rights from other rights."
December 13, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Rousselot, from this 1964 piece (in which he said the extremism controversy helped Birch):
"Who's to say what's more important, the Negro's civil rights or property rights guaranteed by the Constitution? Property rights are a basic human right. You can't separate property rights from other rights."
"Who's to say what's more important, the Negro's civil rights or property rights guaranteed by the Constitution? Property rights are a basic human right. You can't separate property rights from other rights."
The CA Dem. state chairman asked the GOP chairman that year to submit a resolution "disowning the John Birch Society and other extremist elements that have permeated the Republican Party," warning that he feared the GOP would be taken over by a "neo-fascist political cult."
Flash forward, 2025...
Flash forward, 2025...
December 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
The CA Dem. state chairman asked the GOP chairman that year to submit a resolution "disowning the John Birch Society and other extremist elements that have permeated the Republican Party," warning that he feared the GOP would be taken over by a "neo-fascist political cult."
Flash forward, 2025...
Flash forward, 2025...
For the record, Ronald Reagan, in the heat of that 1966 race for Governor of California, offered up a response that criticized Birch Society founder Robert Welch in very general terms for his views, but offered considerable wiggle room for rank-and-file members of the group (AKA potential voters).
December 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
For the record, Ronald Reagan, in the heat of that 1966 race for Governor of California, offered up a response that criticized Birch Society founder Robert Welch in very general terms for his views, but offered considerable wiggle room for rank-and-file members of the group (AKA potential voters).
When Birchers offered either support or opposition to Ronald Reagan's gubernatorial effort, "whichever helped," humorist Art Buchwald said the Birchers were against so many things that average Americans liked, that they must be a Communist plot to boost leftists.
(Et tu, Candace Owens? sez MAGA...)
(Et tu, Candace Owens? sez MAGA...)
December 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
When Birchers offered either support or opposition to Ronald Reagan's gubernatorial effort, "whichever helped," humorist Art Buchwald said the Birchers were against so many things that average Americans liked, that they must be a Communist plot to boost leftists.
(Et tu, Candace Owens? sez MAGA...)
(Et tu, Candace Owens? sez MAGA...)
A 1964 look at the John Birch Society's helpful outreach to inquisitive Americans concerned for their freedoms — suggesting people (and their children) stock up on guns "NOW!", preferably unregistered ones, and study underground warfare. Also available, a "violently anti-Negro cartoon sheet."
December 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
A 1964 look at the John Birch Society's helpful outreach to inquisitive Americans concerned for their freedoms — suggesting people (and their children) stock up on guns "NOW!", preferably unregistered ones, and study underground warfare. Also available, a "violently anti-Negro cartoon sheet."
In 1965, national GOPers led by Senate Republican Leader Everett M. Dirksen, of Illinois, put up a resolution denouncing membership "in any radical or extremist organization," but they couldn't bring themselves to mention the John Birch Society by name because there wouldn't have been enough votes.
December 13, 2025 at 10:15 PM
In 1965, national GOPers led by Senate Republican Leader Everett M. Dirksen, of Illinois, put up a resolution denouncing membership "in any radical or extremist organization," but they couldn't bring themselves to mention the John Birch Society by name because there wouldn't have been enough votes.