Maddog's wry look at economics, history, society, culture, and politics

Hoffer: The prescient Longshoreman Philosopher

2/28/2017

The “longshoreman philosopher” saw Trump coming in 1970, writes Reuven Brenner

[Here is a link to Hoffer's book The True Believer in print, and online: book Links Please take the time to read his books, they are necessary reading to understand the modern world.]

"'Scratch an intellectual, and you find a would-be aristocrat who loathes the sight, the sound and the smell of common folk.” Those words might have been written last year, as an explanation for Donald Trump’s rise or a rejoinder to Hillary Clinton’s denunciation of “deplorables.”

In fact they were published in November 1970 and written by Eric Hoffer, the “longshoreman philosopher,” who was best known for his slender 1951 classic, “The True Believer: Thoughts on the nature of Mass Movements.” The 1970 essay, under the headline “Whose Country Is America?,” eerily anticipated not only the political events of 2016 but the tone and language of last year’s campaign and the anti-Trump hysteria since Election Day."

More below.

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Boiled Beef and cabbage?

2/28/2017

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Why Did Danish Vikings Move to England? | RealClearScience

I was going to say Haggis but that's Scots.

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This should shake up the all the Hipsters with BA degree's

2/28/2017

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Moonbattery » Starbucks Brand Takes Major Beating After Announcement It Would Hire Islamic Refugees Instead of Americans

Bu . . . bu . . . bu . . . where will I work?

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Mon Dieu!?!?!

2/28/2017

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Police Sharpshooter Accidentally Opens Fire At President Hollande Speech, Two Injured

"A police sharpshooter accidentally opened fire during a speech by French President Francis Hollande, injuring two people in the process, AP reported. The incident happened on Tuesday afternoon in Villognon, Charente in western France where Hollande was preparing to reveal the LGV high speed rail line, when a shot was clearly heard in the background of event, prompting the French president to stop and look around concerned.

"I hope that wasn't serious," Hollande said nonchalantly after the loud shot rang out, before continuing with his speech at the unveiling of the LGV high speed rail line."

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And the winner of the Pension Destruction Derby?

2/28/2017

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NY Teamsters Pension Becomes First To Run Out Of Money As Expert Warns "Pension Tsunami" Is Coming

The New York Teamsters Road Carriers Local 707 Pension Fund!

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The UK is not serious about domestic violence

2/28/2017

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Violent husbands let off with a handshake and apologies

I am dumbfounded.

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Roiling law!!!

2/28/2017

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The BigLaw Massacre Approaches

"Bad news for the tens of thousands of newly minted lawyers who pass the bar every year and hope to get associate positions at big law firms sorting through documents for corporate clients: Robots are taking your jobs. Bloomberg reports:

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WAIT, HAVEN'T WE SEEN THIS BEFORE?

2/28/2017

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Spain appoint SEX TSAR to boost country's declining population

Why yes we have!!!

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Just wait till they pair the software with sexbot hardware . . .

2/28/2017

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My New Girlfriend Alexa

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The modern criminal

2/28/2017

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30 days jail for operator of drone that knocked woman unconscious

The incompetent drone pilot.

I would prefer this be civil, unless the operator does not voluntarily, and immediately come forward, the make it criminal.

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Hoffer: The prescient Longshoreman Philosopher

Boiled Beef and cabbage?

This should shake up the all the Hipsters with BA degree's

Mon Dieu!?!?!

And the winner of the Pension Destruction Derby?

The UK is not serious about domestic violence

Roiling law!!!

WAIT, HAVEN'T WE SEEN THIS BEFORE?

Just wait till they pair the software with sexbot hardware . . .

The modern criminal

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