The NRA Pamphlet and the Right Wing Authoritarianism Personality
Tue Jan 02, 2007 at 08:56:08 PM PDT
I was looking at the F'ed up NRA pamphlet the other day. Besides being so messed up that it is amusing, it really shows how far to the right the GOP has gotten, and how far removed from reality they have gotten. It wasn't a mistake that all of the people trashed in that pamphlet were democrats. It really illustrates the social science theory of Right Wing Authoritarianism effectively.
To see what I am talking about, look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/...
Restorative Justice -- I Love You and Miss You, Narnie
Sat Nov 11, 2006 at 11:11:16 AM PDT
In November, 2002 I wrote a paper for my Human Services and The Helping Process class toward my Associate in Science, Behavioral Studies. I love to write stories--experiential ones come most easily--as an introduction to the research.
In light of the ruin of this country both domestically and foreign-policy wise over the last several years, and particularly in light of the wonderful resurgence of the American spirit, democracy, integrity, and constitutional fortitude for which we all (most) stand, I couldn't help but want to share this paper with you all.
more...
Cracks In The Wall, Part I: Defining the Authoritarian Personality
Mon Aug 14, 2006 at 10:10:53 AM PDT
Note: This is a cross-post of the first installment of a series now in progress at Orcinus.
We need to stop this. We have gone on too long assuming that our right-wing opponents are, in all times and places, unchangeable and unchanging. Yes, their arguments are confoundingly short on evidence and fact. Yes, their logic loops are closed up so tight as to be frustratingly impervious to reason. Yes, they absolutely do mean to do us -- and our democracy -- grievous harm.
But there is good news. That Great Wall that separates our little reality-based community from The Fantasyland Next Door is not a monolith. Nor are the inmates of that Otherworld necessarily locked in there for all time and eternity. There's evidence -- from scientists, from experience, from history -- that there are cracks in that wall.
John Dean Reflecting on Why Nixon Was Not As Bad as Bush/Cheney
Sat Jul 29, 2006 at 11:53:27 PM PDT
This weekend I had a chance to see John Dean talk about his new book
Conservatives Without Conscience at the Capitola Book Cafe in Capitola, California. I'd picked up my copy of his book a couple of weeks ago, and had finished reading it before I went to his talk. He is a very articulate and entertaining speaker and one can see why he is in demand on the public speaking circuit, especially when they need someone to talk about impeachment or the overreach of government figures.
His new book is quite interesting and timely. He believes that it was necessary to warn the country and Republicans about the dangerous road on which they are embarking when they allow the authoritarians to take control. He adds much to my own picture of what is happening with these fanatical power-hungry people.
Kossack Exclusive from John Dean
Wed Jul 19, 2006 at 12:48:43 PM PDT
John Dean was particularly helpful to me as I worked to usher Glenn Greenwald's How Would a Patriot Act? into the world. I asked him for a blurb. To give one, he said, he would have to fact-check the entire book before lending his name. Ahh...integrity! Grateful for his time and the eventual blurb, I offered to read his new book, Conservatives Without Conscience[
http://www.amazon.com/...], and told him that, if I found it worthy, I'd want to help spread word about the book to the blogs.
I find it worthy--and then some. I'll be posting on FireDogLake a full review, but wanted Kossacks to have a first read of a short Q&A that Mr. Dean put together especially for DailyKos. I'll also pose some follow-up questions to Mr. Dean for a post here later this week, so if you've got a question, please send it on.
Father Knows Best?
Thu Jul 13, 2006 at 05:45:13 PM PDT
John Dean's new book, Conservatives Without Conscience, reminds me of the 1950s TV show "Father Knows Best".
There have been many diaries written here about what the Democratic Party lacks in the way of ideas and slogans. But I've been thinking lately that what the Democratic Party urgently needs is a face. The republicans have their father figure in the persona of George W. Bush, a loveable idiot and the mother figure of Laura, appearing slightly smarter while playing the part of the enabling stepford wife.
23% of Us are Fucked!
Mon Jul 10, 2006 at 10:46:44 PM PDT
Tonight former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean discussed his intriguing new book "Conservatives without Consciences" as the lead story on Keith Olbermann. In it he described how his discussions with the late Barry Goldwater, the nominal father of the modern conservative movement, evolved from talking about just how far afield that movement has grown to a discussion of how authoritarianism has crept in and taken over the Republican Party.
Sparked by Goldwater, Dean continued to research on the subject with various scholars looking into the psychology of authorianism and found a wealth of information on the subject.
Acording to his findings, a vast majority of Conservatives are drawn into the Leader/Follower archetype, where the Leaders are considered infallable, and the loyalty of the Followers is completely unshakable. About "23% of the populace falls into the follower category" said Dean. "These people are impervious" to fact, rationality and reality. And their "Numbers are growing".
Let's just face it, 23% of us are basically fucked in the head.
Video and Transcript of the Segment.
