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crickets
crickets's Journal
crickets's Journal
October 1, 2023
What a destructive little man.
Newt Gingrich happened.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newt_Gingrich#Role_in_political_polarizationA number of scholars have credited Gingrich with playing a key role in undermining democratic norms in the United States, and hastening political polarization and partisan prejudice.[6][7][8][67][68][69][70][71][9][72][73][10] According to Harvard University political scientists Daniel Ziblatt and Steven Levitsky, Gingrich's speakership had a profound and lasting impact on American politics and health of American democracy. They argue that Gingrich instilled a "combative" approach in the Republican Party, where hateful language and hyper-partisanship became commonplace, and where democratic norms were abandoned. Gingrich frequently questioned the patriotism of Democrats, called them corrupt, compared them to fascists, and accused them of wanting to destroy the United States. Gingrich furthermore oversaw several major government shutdowns.[74][75][76][54]
University of Maryland political scientist Lilliana Mason identified Gingrich's instructions to Republicans to use words such as “betray, bizarre, decay, destroy, devour, greed, lie, pathetic, radical, selfish, shame, sick, steal, and traitors” about Democrats as an example of a breach in social norms and exacerbation of partisan prejudice.[6] Gingrich is a key figure in the 2017 book The Polarizers by Colgate University political scientist Sam Rosenfeld about the American political system's shift to polarization and gridlock.[7]
University of Maryland political scientist Lilliana Mason identified Gingrich's instructions to Republicans to use words such as “betray, bizarre, decay, destroy, devour, greed, lie, pathetic, radical, selfish, shame, sick, steal, and traitors” about Democrats as an example of a breach in social norms and exacerbation of partisan prejudice.[6] Gingrich is a key figure in the 2017 book The Polarizers by Colgate University political scientist Sam Rosenfeld about the American political system's shift to polarization and gridlock.[7]
What a destructive little man.
September 23, 2023
More background:
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/strange-tumultuous-life-solar-power-white-house
(Lots more about the history of Carter's solar panels earlier in the article. It's pretty interesting.)
Obama took care of that!
Surprisingly, the first restoration of solar power to the White House came from W.
In 2003, George W. Bush, seemingly acting out of character, brought solar back to the White House. American City and Country reported on the development a decade ago:
With the Obama administration’s latest additions, the White House will increase its solar capacity with 20 to 50 new panels, USA Today reports. The administration added that the installation should pay for itself within eight years.
The National Park Service, which manages the White House complex, installed a nine kilowatt, rooftop solar electric or photovoltaic system, as well as two solar thermal systems that heat water used on the premises.
Two solar thermal systems, one to heat the pool and spa and one to provide domestic hot water, were also installed.
“With solar systems popping up on homes, businesses and farms across the country, it’s most appropriate to have solar providing energy for America’s most recognizable home,” said Glenn Hamer, executive director at the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA).
With the Obama administration’s latest additions, the White House will increase its solar capacity with 20 to 50 new panels, USA Today reports. The administration added that the installation should pay for itself within eight years.
More background:
https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/strange-tumultuous-life-solar-power-white-house
When the Obama administration installed new solar panels on the roof in 2013, they were well aware of the symbolism of their actions. The installation coincided with President Obama’s pledge that the federal government would get 20 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.
President Obama was actually the third US President to install solar. President George W. Bush was the first to install a solar electric system at the White House, powering parts of the White House grounds, but he did so quietly. A second installation by Bush helped warm the presidential swimming pool.
President Obama was actually the third US President to install solar. President George W. Bush was the first to install a solar electric system at the White House, powering parts of the White House grounds, but he did so quietly. A second installation by Bush helped warm the presidential swimming pool.
(Lots more about the history of Carter's solar panels earlier in the article. It's pretty interesting.)
September 22, 2023
Questions re Skinner mode, main page
EarlG, I am loving the new site - thanks so much for all of your hard work! After trying all of the different modes, Skinner mode is easiest on the eyes, with one exception. On both my PC and phone, unvisited links are purple, with visited links showing a slightly pinker hue that is very difficult to distinguish. Is this normal? Would it be possible to have colors closer to the usual unvisited blue/visited purple colors on DU3? or even the white/gray option from Night mode?
Just in case:
PC (Asus Laptop)
Windows 10
Brave v 1.58.129
Phone (Pixel 3a xl)
Android 12 Build SP2A.220505.008
Brave v 1.5.62
I'm loving the main page layout, but one major change is a little jarring. Is there any reason why LBN headlines are at the bottom of the page now? I kinda miss 'em at the top. I'm so sorry if any of this is too nitpicky. Latest Videos thumbnail blocked in below image so I could fit everything in.
______
DU4 (Visited Canada link)
DU3
September 14, 2023
2nd footnote on p2.
Found through rawstory (I know) and their link to a twitter thread by legal analyst Lisa Rubin.
https://www.rawstory.com/cannon-documents-no-delay/
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1702080142762230140.html
Eta - Yikes, I am so slow. I do not like trying to browse and post on my phone. 🤭
Found a link to the pdf
https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/67490069/153/united-states-v-trump/2nd footnote on p2.
Found through rawstory (I know) and their link to a twitter thread by legal analyst Lisa Rubin.
https://www.rawstory.com/cannon-documents-no-delay/
https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1702080142762230140.html
Eta - Yikes, I am so slow. I do not like trying to browse and post on my phone. 🤭
