Talked w/Rick Perlstein about RFJ Jr.
... and a whole lot more.
Hey, all —
Historian Rick Perlstein (“Before the Storm,” “Nixonland,” “The Invisible Bridge”) joined me last week. We discussed Rick’s recent columns on RFK Jr.'s rhetoric, linking it to far-right ideologies and incipient fascism. We also explored the historical roots of "purity of essence" beliefs in conservative movements, tracing back to the 1950s and 60s.
Rick highlighted the opportunistic use of humanitarian language by conservatives to hide control-driven policies. Other topics included the widespread distrust of experts, particularly in public health, the dangers of conspiracy theories, the importance of democratic transparency, and the perils of charismatic figures who exploit public fears for personal gain.
It's bizarre to me how the same people making "cult of personality" critiques so often focus on personality aspects themselves.
How about discussing the actual issues instead? For example, should everybody have to deal with unwanted and unfilterable fluoride in their drinking just because it can supposedly reduce the incidence of tooth decay? Is there actually some sort of magic level of fluoride exposure for which its supposed tooth decay reducing benefits always outweigh its clear neurotoxic and dental fluorosis downsides for each and every individual, no matter how many other sources of fluoride this individual is exposed to?
And how about the mercury amalgam teeth fillings, which we are still assured are perfectly safe and beneficial (just like fluoride) by the ADA to this day? Is it true that the only safe place for mercury in our entire environment is in the "full containment" of the mouths of all little kids on Medicaid?
Of course, to dare to ask such any questions is to court the "dangers of conspiracy theories," such as the obviously conspiratorial idea that capitalists often work together to generate and/or protect capital. And the next thing you know, we have become the unwitting tools of the reich wing because daring to ask such questions damages our trust in the experts who so clearly always have the public interest at heart. Right?
RFKjr's book on Fauci is well worth reading.And you know,I need some new conspiracy theories.My older ones are now facts.