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Study: Trump Has Made White People More Hateful | Digby on the Conservative Cult of Victimhood

The spike in hate crimes and everyday harrassment of people of color since Trump announced his candidacy has been referred to as "The Trump Effect." Thus far, it's largely been based on anecdotal evidence. But that's no longer the case. This week, we speak with Brian Schaffner, a political scientist at Umass Amherst, about his new study which lends empirical support to the claim. 

 

Then we're joined by Heather "Digby" Parton to talk about Kevin Williamson's incessant whining about censorship, a ludicrous Congressional hearing on Diamond and Silk and a conspiracy theory about Facebook suppressing conservative voices and the right's embrace of a powerful victimhood narrative. 

 

Playlist:
Superorganism: "Everybody Wants to Be Famous"
General Trees: "Raggamuffin"

Political Scientist: Dems Need to Start Fighting Dirty for American Democracy

This week, we're joined by David Faris, a political scientist at Roosevelt University who authored a new book titled, It’s Time to Fight Dirty: How Democrats Can Build a Lasting Majority in American Politics. Faris argues that Republicans have exploited every institutional power to create an anti-democratic partisan electoral advantage, and Democrats need to fight fire with fire if they want to move the country forward.  

 

Then we speak with Evan Weber, co-founder of the Sunrise Movement, about the "Sunrise Semester" program -- his organization's plan to train dozens of young climate activists across the country to take time off to help save our planet. 

 

Finally, we go back to the archives for an interview with Jeffrey Swanson, a professor of psychiatry at Duke University, about a fascinating and troubling study he conducted which found that a significant number of gun owners also have anger and impulse control issues. 

 

Playlist:
Cream: "SWLABR"
Rolling Stones: "She Smiled Sweetly"
Patsy Cline: "Back in Baby's Arms"