Tag Archives: J.D. Vance

Sane-Washing Vance and Mac the Knife

By Robin Bates | Published: October 8, 2024

As I watched Vance sane-wash both Trump and himself in the debate, I thought of the sane-washing that occurs in Gay’s “Beggar’s Opera.”

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J.D. Vance Is No Barbara Kingsolver

By Robin Bates | Published: October 7, 2024

For a genuine depiction of Appalachia, read Kingsolver’s “Demon Copperhead,” not Vance’s “Hillbilly Elegy.” Vance just engages in “poornography.”

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Judge Invokes Handmaid’s Tale in Ruling

By Robin Bates | Published: October 2, 2024

A Georgia judge has invoked “Handmaid’s Tale” is ruling against a six-week abortion ban, testifying to the power of literature.

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Bunyan on Fiction vs. Lying

By Robin Bates | Published: September 17, 2024

Camus wrote that “fiction is the lie through which we tell the truth.” J.D. Vance has tried the same defense for his Haitian lies.

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Biden and Harris as Earthsea Characters

By Robin Bates | Published: July 25, 2024

Le Guin’s “Farthest Shore” has insights applicable to the Biden-Harris succession.

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J.D. Vance Dreams of Gilead

By Robin Bates | Published: July 17, 2024

Trump’s selection of J.D. Vance makes “Handmaid’s Tale” more timely than ever.

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Borges on Conspiracy Theories

By Robin Bates | Published: July 15, 2024

With Republicans attempting to blame Democrats for the Trump shooting, let’s look at what Borges says about conspiracy theories.

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GOP Veepstakes and Pope’s Dunciad

By Robin Bates | Published: July 14, 2024

The current candidates for Trump’s V-P are behaving like Alexander Pope’s dunces.

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A GOP Senator as Doctor Faustus

By Robin Bates | Published: September 17, 2023

Mitt Romney has accused Sen. J.D. Vance for selling himself “so cheap.” Think of the “Hillbilly Elegy” author as Faustus.

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