The hottest Political Extremism Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Is Elon Musk Actually Evil?

Erik Examines • 179 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Leadership Media Public Opinion Political Extremism
  1. Elon Musk has been accused of mean and hurtful behavior, including mocking people with disabilities and making offensive comments online. This kind of attitude raises questions about his character.
  2. People often overlook the bad actions of powerful individuals if they have also done good things. Just because someone achieves great advancements doesn't mean they are a good person overall.
  3. True leadership involves caring for others and being present in family life, something many believe Musk fails to do despite his public image as a successful entrepreneur.

Bad Weather

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 6949 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Middle East Conflict International relations Political Extremism Human Rights
  1. The author reflects on the unpredictability of storms and the feeling of imminent apocalypses in the midst of bad weather.
  2. There is a discussion about political figures and international affairs, focusing on the potential consequences and implications of their actions.
  3. The narrative transitions between personal reflections, societal observations, and historical analogies, all within the context of turbulent weather and its implications.

Rhinos All The Way Down

Bulwark+ • 7291 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Trump administration Political corruption Republican party Election Analysis Political Extremism
  1. Republican leaders continue to support Trump despite alarming behavior, leading to a disturbing transformation in the political landscape
  2. The comparison to absurdist literature suggests a prophetic quality in the current political climate
  3. The metaphor of 'rhinos all the way down' reflects the deepening entrenchment in supporting controversial figures
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He's Transformed Himself From Mild-Mannered Pastor to Extremist. He's Also Running Unopposed.

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper • 2468 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legislation Lawmakers Rights Political Extremism
  1. Ben Baker, a Missouri GOP State Representative, has transformed from a mild-mannered pastor to an extremist and is running unopposed in elections.
  2. Baker is the Missouri State Chair for ALEC, a group that influences state laws with 'model bills' often benefiting corporations.
  3. Baker has filed controversial bills like restricting diversity training, banning care for trans kids, and forcing loaded guns into churches without a Democratic opponent.

My Family Was Hunted by Nazis. But I Was Fired After ‘Defending Hitler.’

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 5499 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism Social media Political Extremism Discourse Freedom of Speech
  1. The author was fired from their job at _The Seattle Times_ after a Twitter post comparing Lenin and Hitler, leading to accusations of defending Hitler.
  2. The author's work as a journalist focused on stories of structural oppression in Asia, including sexism and neo-Nazi trends, driven by personal family history.
  3. The situation highlights the challenges of engaging in divisive discussions online and the impact of social media controversies on personal and professional life.

Yes, Republicans are burning books

The Signorile Report • 1218 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Book Bans Censorship Political Extremism
  1. Some Republican politicians have been publicly burning books as part of a book ban crusade.
  2. Governor Ron DeSantis defended against criticism of book bans in Florida, claiming the comparisons to censorship were a hoax.
  3. A Republican secretary of state candidate in Missouri burned LGBTQ and sex education books, inciting hate and promoting extremist views.

The Manhattan Institute Deleted This Article

Karlstack • 472 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Cancel Culture Online Harassment Academic Freedom Media influence Political Extremism
  1. A man named Oliver D. Smith has been targeting academics in the field of intelligence research, using online trolling and legal threats to disrupt their careers.
  2. The Manhattan Institute removed an article critical of Smith after he reached a private settlement with them, raising questions about his influence and tactics.
  3. Smith's actions have led to real harm for academics, including job losses, by promoting misinformation about their work on platforms like RationalWiki.

Child abuse and extremist politics

Disaffected Newsletter • 379 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Extremism Child abuse Social Issues Mental health Activism
  1. There is a connection between having a difficult childhood and joining extremist groups. Many people in these groups have faced trauma early in life.
  2. The discussion includes personal stories from former members of groups like Antifa. Understanding their backgrounds can help us see why they joined these movements.
  3. Exploring these connections can lead to better support for those affected by childhood trauma. It's important to address these issues to prevent them from escalating.

The Case for Centrism

Castalia • 299 implied HN points • 24 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political theory Governance Electoral Politics Political Extremism Party Dynamics
  1. Centrism is a political approach that aims to find a balance between different views. It's about governing from the middle ground rather than extreme positions.
  2. Understanding the center of politics is crucial for effective governance. Good leaders can also shift the center to align with the needs of the people.
  3. Recent politics show a strong divide between extremes, which makes centrist policies more important. A focus on the middle can lead to real progress on important issues.

Proposals to ban Alternative für Deutschland gain support within the German political establishment, as our domestic spy agency prepares a new assessment of the party's political wrongthink

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 184 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Democracy Elections Government Policy Political Extremism
  1. Key German politicians are considering banning the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party. They believe that recent assessments from the domestic spy agency may support their case.
  2. There is increasing support within the political establishment for this ban, with some previously opposed leaders now willing to reconsider. This change may be influenced by the AfD's growing popularity.
  3. Critics argue that banning a political party goes against democratic values. They point out that criticism of media and state institutions should be part of a healthy democracy, even if some view it as wrong.

Berlin police investigate possibly fascist inflatable snowman, band sings "Fuck the AfD" on national TV, and the president of Eintracht Frankfurt demands that people vomit in the faces of AfD voters

eugyppius: a plague chronicle • 216 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Political Extremism Political Tensions
  1. German political climate is intense with strong emotions and extreme actions
  2. Public figures making controversial statements against a far-right political party
  3. Absurd incidents like a police investigation on an inflatable snowman show the heightened sensitivity in the society

Cheney versus Crazy

Diane Francis • 279 implied HN points • 01 Feb 21
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political parties Elections Political Ideologies Political Extremism Party Dynamics
  1. The Republican Party has splintered into many groups with different beliefs, making it hard to find common ground. Liz Cheney represents the traditional side, while Marjorie Taylor-Greene shows the more extreme views.
  2. Trump's influence still looms large over the party, creating fear among many Republicans about opposing him. Some members are more concerned about their re-election than sticking to their principles.
  3. The future of the Republican Party looks uncertain, and moderate Republicans may need to work with Democrats to achieve goals. A third-party split could also change the political landscape significantly.

The Case for Muddling Through

The Permanent Problem • 7 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Crisis Democracy Policy Political Extremism Media influence
  1. The author argues that there is a sense of transition and uncertainty facing modern societies, but history shows that resilience and renewal are possible.
  2. Technological advancements, especially in AI, present opportunities for progress but also raise concerns about automation and job displacement.
  3. There is a discussion about the crisis of inclusion, with evidence showing some progress in reducing income inequality in the U.S. through policy measures and economic trends.