Original written and printed by Free Press 4 years ago, prior to 2016 election.

Definitions of Terms Used in this Column:

A cult of personality arises when a country's regime uses the techniques of mass media, propaganda, the big lie, spectacle, patriotism, and organized mass demonstrations and rallies to create an idealized, heroic, and worshipful image.

A cult leader is a dynamic leader whose authority is respected and unquestioned. Obedience to the leader is often required, even when it involves deviant or unhealthy activity. Usually, a cult leader is a person of tremendous charisma who makes followers feel loved and accepted. Cult leaders use brainwashing tactics to attract and keep followers.

A sociopath is a person whose behavior is antisocial, often criminally greedy, and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility, empathy or social conscience. Sociopaths never sincerely apologize nor are they capable of exhibiting remorse for wrongs that they have committed. They always lie to cover their past misdeeds or future ulterior motives.

The above photo shows one of the two Twin Towers on 9/11/01, obviously exploding into fine dust (it is not “burning” down). The explosions were obviously caused by pre-planted explosives in an obviously controlled demolition operation, which means that many weeks – even months - of expert work involving well-trained demolition experts had to have taken place. (In 2001, only a handful of demolition companies in the world could have accomplished the task, but investigations into what actually happened on 9/11/01 were officially prevented, so that even the investigations into those companies did not take place. 

Note that the arrow in the photo above points to one of the many “squibs” of exploding gas which are commonly seen with controlled demolitions. 

Disturbing a Crime Scene is Itself a Federal Crime and Rudy Giuliani is Yet to be Charged

Friday, September 4, 2020, 1:00 PM
An effective public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes mandatory limits on public gatherings, mask-wearing, and social distancing. To what extent should the content of these measures be shaped by what we know, or think we know, about the social and political consequences of trying to enforce them? What can explain the widespread skepticism and non-compliance that these recommendations have met with in the United States? Panelists: Denise Jamieson (Emory, Chair of Gynecology and Obstetrics), Thomas Wood (Ohio State, Political Science).  Moderator: Emma Saunders-Hastings (Ohio State, Political Science). Register for the webinar here. 

The CDC announced on September 1 a moratorium on residential evictions nationwide through the end of the year. While it falls short of what activists have asked for, it is a welcome relief to many. This order comes in the wake of massive political unrest, a spike in evictions and homelessness, and a looming wave of evictions working their way through the courts, brought on by millions of people losing income in the COVID crisis.

In Columbus alone, there have been hundreds of eviction hearings per week for the last month, with eviction courts being moved to the Convention center to allow for COVID precautions and to handle the increased workload. Activists have been working overtime, trying to get information, assistance, and masks to people facing evictions in crowded hearing schedules.