American swastika
Sally Jenkins, a Washington Post sports columnist, daughter of the South, student of the Civil War, tells us what the Confederate battle flag is really about: “The Confederate battle flag is an American swastika, the relic of traitors and totalitarians, symbol of a brutal regime, not a republic. The Confederacy was treason in defense of a still deeper crime against humanity: slavery. If weaklings find racial hatred to be a romantic expression of American strength and purity, make no mistake that it begins by unwinding a red thread from that flag.”
Grieving Charleston
Kathleen Parker, whose family settled in Charleston more than 300 years ago, says it’s time to grieve for her city. Via The Washington Post.
Power of forgiveness
David Remnick on mercy and a manifesto in Charleston and the history of the miracle of forgiveness. Via The New Yorker.
Dubious donations
A white supremacist linked to Charleston suspect Dylann Roof gave money to Ted Cruz, Rick Santorum and Rand Paul. The New York Times reports that Cruz says he is returning the money. Santorum and Paul spokesmen did not return requests for comment.
Down under
You never know where you might find a bit of wisdom. Try an Australian comic for an expletive-filled hilarious rant on what America’s gun obsession looks like to the rest of the world. Via The Washington Post.
After Obamacare
In laying out his plan for a post-Obamacare America, Jeb Bush points out that the idea for the health-insurance exchanges came originally from Republicans. Via The National Journal.
Turning tide
When the Supreme Court finally makes its ruling on Obamacare — and it will be quite soon — everything will change, whichever way the justices decide. Via The Atlantic.
Poll problems
Pollster and scholar Cliff Zukin tells us what is wrong with polling today. Let’s start with the obvious: It’s worse than you think. Via The New York Times.
They’re back
HBO’s True Detective is back, this time with a badass woman and a long list of neutered man. (WARNING: SPOILERS GALORE). Via The Daily Beat.
Photo credit: AK Rockefeller, Creative Commons, Flickr.
