The Overpaid Army

I suppose it's self-evident that the Supreme Court Senate nominating process is an excellent illustration of Bourdieu's notion of "censorship," that is, of how rare it is to ever see anyone ever say anything other than what they are authorized to say according to the prevailing politics of the field in which they are playing. Like, duh. Or are we supposed to believe that anyone really gives a shit about the "wise Latina" crap? Sotomayor is a very moderate, if slightly "liberal" judge, and everyone knows it, but we must have the theater! Just like we did with Alito and Roberts.

The difference with Alito and Roberts, though, is that there was a concerted wingnut attempt to pretend they were moderates, though they're pretty far right. With Sotomayor, there is a concerted wingnut attempt to pretend she's radical, though she's not all too far to the left. That both sets of attempts equal in intensity what they exhibit in ludicrousness tells us a lot about our polity, which is, namely, that it's stupid, because I have to say, the media and the administration show lots of buy-in for the wingnut frame. Just saying. 

On another issue, just to make clear, yeah, Jonah Goldberg really does believe he isn't a joke. For instance:

I can’t begin to tell you how edifying it is to hear stories, almost on a daily basis, about how the book is being included in college courses. I’ve spoken to university seminars on it. College kids are constantly writing me for papers they’re doing, and civics teachers are incorporating stuff from the book. That feels so much more concrete to me than bestseller lists and blog spats.

He doesn't even know he's a mark. Impressive, really.

Comments

[Douglas Watts]

I suppose it's self-evident that the Supreme Court Senate nominating process is an excellent illustration of Bourdieu's notion of "censorship," that is, of how rare it is to ever see anyone ever say anything other than what they are authorized to say according to the prevailing politics of the field in which they are playing.

So ... umm ... you didn't hear Sen. Beauregard Sessions?

Oh wait ... he proves your point.

[DrDick]

though they're pretty far right

Once again proving that Thers is the master of understatement. I guess you could say that Dr. Mengele was "pretty far right" as well.

Pantload is living proof that John Stuart Mill was wrong, and far too generous. Conservatives really are all profoundly stupid.

[Thers]

So ... umm ... you didn't hear Sen. Beauregard Sessions?

Exactly.

You put a quarter in the jukebox, you know what song you're gonna get.

I love it when Sessions get passionate. Puts me in mind of Foghorn Leghorn reciting the Gettysburg Address.

[SteveB]

This morning on NPR, Dana Milbank was talking about her "blink rate."

I have nothing more to add.

[NonyNony]

The difference with Alito and Roberts, though, is that there was a concerted wingnut attempt to pretend they were moderates, though they're pretty far right.

One thing that kind of frightens me is the thought that the wingnuts really weren't pretending and that they really do think that Alito and Roberts are moderates.

The wingnut wing of the GOP has shown time and time again that they are incapable of believing that their politics are anything but the majority view of the country - even in the face of overwhelming evidence to the contrary. The idea that they're actually arguing in "good faith" about Sotomayor being a radical or Roberts and Alito being moderates is not outside the realm of possibility - as horrifying as that possibility is.

[aimai]

Yes, one so longs for her to be able to lean forward and ask Sessions whether having to ask her questions about her presumed racism brings up bad memories of his own senator refusing to allow him to be nominated for a federal judgeship because of Sessions own support for the KKK and his refusal to do his damned job with respect to civil rights issues when he was a DA.

But if you want the brass ring, you have to ride on the merry go round.

aimai

[DrDick]

NonyNony -

I think that you are exactly right and it really is a bit scary that we have that many crazy people running around loose in America.

[Danny Mason Keener]

Well, yeah, but, like, both sides have to play. The Democrats can't come out and counter the allegations that Sotomayor is "far left" by saying "Look. We've elected a milquetoast, stand pat, center-right, really smart, dreeeeaaaaammmmmmy dude President. We have Senate and House leadership who will reach over and grab their ankles whenever their corporate sponsorship tells them to assume the position. The idea we would nominate a "far leftist" to anything is lunacy.

[atheist]

This shit is funny in an embarrassing kind of way, sort of like an extra-long Larry David joke.

[lostmypassword]

Hehehe...
Professors included Pantloads book in their courses as an example of what NOT to write.

[SFAW]

This morning on NPR, Dana Milbank was talking about her "blink rate."

Ms. Milbank is such a dick.

The wingnut wing of the GOP ...

It's no longer a wing, it's damn near the whole f'ing bird.

He doesn't even know he's a mark.

They never do. How I wish I could get him into one of my 3-Card Monte games.

If I had one.