- David Brooks on how authoritarians have momentum, because liberalism doesn’t appeal to people’s needs for a higher metaphysical meaning;
- Biden and Trump: appearance and reality;
- Double standards at Fox News about Butker and James;
- Republicans about Trump: loyalty vs. principles;
- Yet another Ten Commandments mandate; what is the point?
NY Times, David Brooks, 16 May 2024: The Authoritarians Have the Momentum [gift link]
David Books consistently includes himself among “we liberals” even while espousing a lot of traditionalist notions, especially the need for shared values in a large society. Here he tries to explain that, even though liberalism should be “winning,” it isn’t, for reasons. He opens: