Benjamin WachsWhere Did The Uncrossed Ethical Lines That Saved Democracy Come From?As that most toadying of Attorney Generals, Bill Bar, announces his resignation, it is fascinating to consider just which Republican…Dec 18, 2020Dec 18, 2020
Benjamin Wachs“Defund the Police?” How about “Defund the Schools?” — No, they’re not the sameA friend of mine recently tried an experiment — telling people that because of the failures of the education system, he wanted to “defund…Dec 10, 2020Dec 10, 2020
Benjamin WachsYes, They Were Always Crazy and Awful — The Apocalypse Cabaret Newsletter for Dec. 5, 2020“Americans on the average do not trust intellectuals, but they are cowed by power and stunned by celebrity.” — Viet Thanh NguyenDec 5, 2020Dec 5, 2020
Benjamin WachsHas “Brain Drain” created government and hyper-partisan politics?Back in the day I was a reporter in mid-sized metro areas, and the fear of “brain drain” was significant: our children go to college and…Dec 3, 2020Dec 3, 2020
Benjamin WachsBlue States Aren’t “Socialist” — They’re Better At Capitalism (The Apocalypse Cabaret Newsletter…In a previous newsletter I described what is happening now as an attempted coup that is not serious, but is no less dangerous for being…Nov 23, 2020Nov 23, 2020
Benjamin WachsNot So Useful Idiots — What Our Intellectuals Have Misunderstood About Our Political ConflictWe have seen an extraordinary political reversal: in just 30 years, “conservatives” have become full-on postmodern nihilists, denying that…Nov 12, 2020Nov 12, 2020
Benjamin WachsUnserious People Are Dangerous Are The Most Dangerous Kind — The Apocalypse Cabaret newsletter…I think one of the most common assumptions liberals have been making has been holding back their political success, and it needs to be…Nov 10, 2020Nov 10, 2020
Benjamin WachsOur Election Epistemic Dread — Apocalypse Cabaret Diary for November 5, 2020On election night, the feeling was raw terror at the possibility of rising fascism. It was not considered or curious or even remotely…Nov 7, 2020Nov 7, 2020
Benjamin WachsApocalypse Cabaret Diary, May 18Time, for many people, has become a blur. We lose track of where it’s gone and how we’ve spent it. Days and hours pass through each other…May 24, 2020May 24, 2020
Benjamin WachsApocalypse Cabaret Diary, May 1Replacing a used roll of toilet paper now has a ceremonial quality, as if a dirge were being played at the changing of the seasons and a…May 8, 2020May 8, 2020