Crash Course: Democracy and fascism: Empty words on the edge of the abyss

Admittedly, some of the "fascists" may actually be fascists. But the "democracy" we're defending: Where is it? [View in browser](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZ3Qxc2EwcTY2Zy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGNXA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Your daily update from [Salon](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNWVkbWlqNXJvbC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). Democracy and fascism: Empty words on the edge of the abyss We are not, in fact, in the middle of a decisive or apocalyptic battle between democracy and fascism. I mean it — we're not. Let's start there. Those words are at best rough approximations or terms of art, used to describe amorphous sets of phenomena that cannot easily be crammed into two opposing buckets. At worst — and given the political and cultural tendencies of the 21st century to this point, we should always go with "at worst" — they are dangerous oversimplifications, desperate attempts to make a murky situation where no one and nothing is what it seems to be fit into some borrowed or invented template from World War II or the Cold War or the American Revolution or God knows what else. [Read the rest from Andrew O'Hehir.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNGp6cTVvMHdqcC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) With "Mayfair Witches," Anne Rice put a fresh, southern spin on the spellcasters we thought we knew In volumes of [Anne Rice](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvOHV1OGg3MW15eC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo)'s journals, archived in a collection held in the care of Tulane University in New Orleans since her death in 2021, she details the very early workings of what would become one of her most notable series of books, "Lives of the Mayfair Witches." Prior to making any serious headway into the first draft of "The Witching Hour," the first book in the series published in 1990, Rice makes note in one particular journal of a conversation she had with a friend in which she gauged what fans of her previous series, "[The Vampire Chronicles](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZ3h4OXAxNDl2Ny8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo)," would hope to read in a new series about an entirely different set of creatures of the night . . . witches. [Read the rest from Kelly McClure.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvOG5wZXFtbWliOC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Alfonso Bresciani/AMC) Promotion from Morning Brew [Try it now](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdWQyOHNsODJzN1cDc3BjQgpj006x12NqfP0XUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) Become smarter with this free newsletter [Try it now](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdWQyOHNsODJzN1cDc3BjQgpj006x12NqfP0XUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~) - This genius trick will change how you make [oatmeal](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdmgwYWZhcjR0Zi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - Six simple ways to improve your "[sleep hygiene](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMWt5dXNsZnhqNC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo)," according to experts - The superpower of NYT reporter drama ["She Said"](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvaWdub3FoMGJkOC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) is also its undoing: Motherhood - Trump targets "[cult of gender ideology](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvN2tsbHYzZWkzNy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo)" during campaign event in South Carolina - "I don't toot glitter": [Kristin Chenoweth](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvanVkNWJpM3ZoZy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) on embracing her failure, anger and questions for God - The laptop from hell and other stories: Your [guide to 2023 congressional investigations](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvYjNxNGdqM3VjdC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) If you found yourself here without subscribing, sign up for [Crash Course](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNm94d3RhZzlpbi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), so you don't miss anything! Adventures at the Clown Palace: Stand-up comedy helped me confront my depression and cultural taboos This irony isn't lost on me. Our Chinese culture is full of stoicism and saving face. Letting it all hang out on a grimy comedy stage was the furthest thing from that. When sadness and despair take hold, we often turn to shame and hide our emotions. This silence only worsens our mental state and deteriorates our self-worth. Although clearing was awkward, weird and sometimes not even very funny, it forced me to be truthful. [Read the rest from Kuang Lee.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveHQ0MmVmMXVnZy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Getty Images/Adam Taylor) - "Iran says drone attack targets defense facility in Isfahan," [The Washington Post](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvcjM5ZWFod2pkMS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGNXA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "Academy ‘Conducting Review’ After Andrea Riseborough’s Surprise Oscar Nomination," [Variety](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdXZuc2pwamFyMy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGNXA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "Fox Gives Roseanne Barr’s Comedy Comeback Special 'Cancel This!' an NFL Boost," [The Hollywood Reporter](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZDlxbDhjYjhjeC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGNXA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "Tyre Nichols' lawyer urges lawmakers to pass urgent police reforms," [BBC](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvcXViNHk2bTdyeS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGNXA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Why this year's COVID is different, according to experts "The omicron subvariant XBB1.5 is by far the most contagious strain we've seen thus far," says [Alice Benjamin](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveXBmdWNucDloMC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGNXA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), a clinical nurse specialist and the Chief Nursing Officer for [Nurse.org](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvM2xjaXBhb3F4MC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGNXA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). "It is quickly displacing the other omicron variant cousins BQ.1 and BQ.1.1, which dominated a wave of infections over the fall. Omicron variants and sub-variants have acquired both the ability to evade antibodies and an enhanced ability to infect human respiratory cells, making them more adept at spreading from person to person," she explains. Even people who managed to avoid getting sick until now. [Read the rest from Mary Elizabeth Williams.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdHhocDB0anQ5NC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPTNvMHprNWwyOGMmbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKY9NOsddjanz9F1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (BRYAN R. SMITH/AFP via Getty Images) [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRlujZNP0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvY3Jhc2gtY291cnNlL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlP2lkPUAzNTQzOTUyVwNzcGNCCmPTTrHXY2p8_RdSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) Copyright © 2023 Crash Course, All rights reserved. 1000 N. 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