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How is the most unpopular and divisive president on his way to a second term? – theguardian.com
It’s the economy, says David Smith. Also, unlike 2016, Trump is running a highly organized, well-funded campaign. And Trump’s opposition is split.
On that last point: The Republicans are a minority party and, paradoxically, that is their strength. Every Republican is signed on to their agenda of white supremacy, xenophobia, gun fetishization, sex policing, preserving property rights, and their version of Christianity, which conveniently leaves out the bits about loving the stranger and least fortunate.
Whereas the Democrats are an unruly coalition of white moderates, second- and third-generation Eastern and Southern European immigrants, first-generation immigrants, Jews, African-Americans, minorities, socialists, LGBTQs, feminists and I’m probably missing some. Some of those groups disagree. For example, immigrants and African-Americans tend to be socially conservative, which puts them at odds with the LGBTQs and feminists. Those white moderates can’t stand the socialists, and vice versa. And yet they’re all supposedly one party.
The Story of Two Monks and a Woman: A parable about letting go of the past. kottke.org
Ode to San Rafael: my unremarkable hometown [Carolyn Jones/SFChronicle.com]
I had a vision recently: I’m at a little market buying cream soda and Ding Dongs. Bathed in luscious, late-afternoon amber light, I head out to the levee and perch on some rocks. Seagulls soar overhead. Somewhere in the distance, a Camaro blasts “Frampton Comes Alive.”
Now and then, I have the same nostalgia for Long Island. Hearing “Frampton Comes Alive” does it.
Scary Sea Monster Really Just Hundreds of Tiny Fish in a Trench Coat [kottke.org]
As a defense against predators, these juvenile striped eel catfish from Jemeluk Bay near Bali organize themselves into an ambling, pulsating sea creature that looks like something out of a Miyazaki film.
Copyright was designed to serve creators, but instead it serves big business against creators [Cory Doctorow/Boing Boing]
Expecting more copyright to help artists beat a concentrated industry is like expecting more lunch money to help your kid defeat the bullies who beat him up on the playground every day.
No more free rides: US seeks to limit emotional support animals on planes [Joanna Walters/The Guardian ]
Some animal lovers and nervous fliers may squawk but the US government wants a definitive “neigh” to the question of passengers bringing rabbits, turtles, birds, miniature horses and other unusual emotional support animals on planes in future, especially free of charge.
The head of ICE says he will deport DREAMers if the Supreme Court ends DACA - vox.com
To Trump and his supporters, cruelty is not an unfortunate by product of his policies. They are the point. These are people who believe government should be putting children in cages.