Ken Burns: America May be Living Through its Worse Crisis | Drudge Retort

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Tuesday, January 19, 2021

Ken Burns: America May be Living Through its Worse Crisis

COVID-19, White Supremacy And Misinformation. Filmmaker Ken Burns has spent his career documenting American history, and he always considered three major crises in the nation's past: the Civil War, the Depression and World War II. Then came the unprecedented "perfect storm" of 2020 -- and Burns thinks we may be living through America's fourth great crisis, and perhaps the worst one yet.

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..."We're beset by three viruses, are we not?" he explains. There's "a year-old COVID-19 virus, but also a 402-year-old virus of white supremacy, of racial injustice. ... And we've got an age-old human virus of misinformation, of paranoia, of conspiracies."

Burns has no intention of making a documentary about the Trump years, but he says history can help us navigate the years ahead. After the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol by rioting Trump supporters, Burns wrote an essay for Politico trying to bring a historical view to this political moment. He looked through his massive archive of interviews to identify some ideas that might provide some perspective. He shares a few with us below....

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2021-01-19 12:09 PM | Reply

There isn't anything attached.

I'm a big Burns fan....I'd love to see what he has to say.

#2 | Posted by eberly at 2021-01-19 12:33 PM | Reply

@#2

Thanks for catching that. I thought I provided the link. Oh well.

In any case, here it is: www.npr.org

#3 | Posted by LampLighter at 2021-01-19 12:43 PM | Reply

Thanks Lamp...good read.

#4 | Posted by eberly at 2021-01-19 03:02 PM | Reply

Ken Burns- GO BLUE!

#5 | Posted by bocaink at 2021-01-19 07:39 PM | Reply

Actually I take that back, his dad taught at Michigan and he went to high school in Ann Arbor, but he actually went to college out of state. I didn't know that because we treat him like a favorite son in Ann Arbor.

#6 | Posted by bocaink at 2021-01-19 07:42 PM | Reply

Finally, a voice we all have depended on to speak the TRUTH! How refreshing!

#7 | Posted by Yodagirl at 2021-01-19 08:18 PM | Reply

Thank you Lamp!

#8 | Posted by Yodagirl at 2021-01-19 08:19 PM | Reply

It is laughable that the MSM gives so much attention to 'White Supremacy'. Seriously, where do you rate 'White Supremacy' among the top 10 concerns you have? It is in the top 10, your problem in not white supremacy, it is mental illness. You might as well fear attacks by tigers or stampeding elephants as you are much more likely to be killed or even effected by them.

We all know the truth - white supremacy is the Left's crutch to explain away their failings in life. The only job they could find with their 4 year gender studies degree was as a barista because of white supremacy. Nothing to do with the face tats, purple hair, and aversion to basic hygiene - nope, it is all because some unemployed Southern guy with literal 'negative white privilege' is somehow holding them down from his trailer.

You want to know what is scary? It is when people with deep racist beliefs are given positions of power. Like this classic:

Kristen Clarke
"Five: Melanin endows Blacks with greater mental, physical and spiritual abilities"something which cannot be measured based on Eurocentric standards."

That is as racists as it gets. With the MSM 2016-2020 drawing comparisons to 1984, this woman is making the Turner Diaries a reality.

#9 | Posted by MensaMan at 2021-01-19 09:53 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

A new ------- or an ------- retread? You decide.

#10 | Posted by Hagbard_Celine at 2021-01-19 10:30 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

#10 | POSTED BY HAGBARD_CELINE

Is this racist?

"Kristen Clarke
"Five: Melanin endows Blacks with greater mental, physical and spiritual abilities, something which cannot be measured based on Eurocentric standards."

How about this version?

"Five: Melanin hinders Blacks leading to lower mental, physical and spiritual abilities, something which cannot be measured based on Afrocentric standards."

For me, a person stating either should not be holding a position in government.

#11 | Posted by MensaMan at 2021-01-19 11:12 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Perhaps Mensakook?

#12 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-19 11:17 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

#12 | POSTED BY MADSCIENTIST

I will give you a shot to answer it as well - surely they taught you about such things while getting your degree at University of Subway.

Is this racist?

"Kristen Clarke
"Five: Melanin endows Blacks with greater mental, physical and spiritual abilities, something which cannot be measured based on Eurocentric standards."

How about this version?

"Five: Melanin hinders Blacks leading to lower mental, physical and spiritual abilities, something which cannot be measured based on Afrocentric standards."

For me, a person stating either should not be holding a position in government.

#13 | Posted by MensaMan at 2021-01-19 11:27 PM | Reply

Definitely not a Mensa.

It's Kook.

#14 | Posted by bocaink at 2021-01-19 11:38 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

GFY Mensadupe and stop posting unatributed partial quotes completely out of context like your butt buddy Tucker Carlson spoon fed you.

The second attack Carlson waged against Clarke has to do with a letter she wrote to the Harvard Crimson in 1994 touting "the genetic differences between Blacks and whites" and explaining that "melanin endows Blacks with greater mental, physical and spiritual abilities." At the time, views touted by Richard Herrnstein and Charles Murray in the book The Bell Curve were being used to question the intellectual ability of Black students. Clarke explained that she was attempting "to express an equally absurd point of view - fighting one ridiculous absurd racist theory with another ridiculous absurd theory." That might not have been a wise strategy, but of course, Carlson didn't want his viewers to know the truth about the context of her remarks.

washingtonmonthly.com

#15 | Posted by tonyroma at 2021-01-19 11:41 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 4

Mensakook, I don't respond to ad hominem attacks. Sorry. Rephrase your question as an adult or go to a long walk off a short pier.

#16 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-19 11:46 PM | Reply

#10 Retread.

#17 | Posted by Gal_Tuesday at 2021-01-19 11:47 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

However, this once I'll give you an ad hominem response you'll not soon forget:

If I had to "prove" something to you every time I referenced something that you know
nothing about, I'd do nothing else. Because you're an idiot.

So, get thee behind me, pestiferous imbecile. Keep up your unlateral attacks on me and we'll soon se who's last standing. You'll end up looking ilke a peg-leg in a termite farm.

#18 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-19 11:50 PM | Reply

"GFY Mensadupe and stop posting unatributed partial quotes completely out of context
#15 | POSTED BY TONYROMA "

You are trying to whitewash her racist statements and nothing it out of context. Her explanation NOW is just that - her excuse for writing such horrible racist propaganda. But, you don't have to take my word on it, here is left wing Newsweek to answer the question:

www.newsweek.com

"Despite Clarke's recent assertions that her 1994 co-authored article for The Harvard Crimson was meant to "express an equally absurd point of view," it is not stated in the article that her and Kennedy's claims on Black vs. white genetics were not serious at the time."

So, eat a bag of dicks you liar.

#19 | Posted by MensaMan at 2021-01-19 11:50 PM | Reply

So, eat a bag of dicks you liar.

You beat me to it.

#20 | Posted by tonyroma at 2021-01-19 11:52 PM | Reply

#19

It's smack dab in the middle of the article you pathetic liar.

Watching this kook try to understand academic discussions reminds me of a bad night at the Apollo.

RCade, it's time to send in the clowns.

#21 | Posted by bocaink at 2021-01-19 11:55 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

The crux or denoument of the arguments with these guys frequently ends up being about bags of dicks.

Things that make you go hmmmmm.

#22 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-20 12:00 AM | Reply

You really are nothing more than a putrid POS. Did you bother to read your own link, idiot?

The Claim

Carlson said that while Clarke was president of Harvard University's Black Students Association, she compared Black vs. white genetics in an article she wrote for the student newspaper, The Harvard Crimson.

The Facts

Clarke addressed recent criticism following Carlson's show in an interview with The Forward on Wednesday night when she again said that her article Blacks Seek an End to Abuse was a direct response to The Bell Curve.

The Forward reported Clarke saying that The Bell Curve "was generating wide acclaim for its racist views," so she introduced her article "with an absurd claim that Black people are superior based on the melanin in their skin" in order to "hold up a mirror to reflect how reprehensible the premise of Black inferiority was set."

"It was meant to express an equally absurd point of view "fighting one ridiculous absurd racist theory with another ridiculous absurd theory," Clarke told The Forward.

Although she did not address Carlson's criticisms directly, she claimed in her interview that conservative outlets are "putting out a lot of false and twisted information."

The Ruling

True.

Despite Clarke's recent assertions that her 1994 co-authored article for The Harvard Crimson was meant to "express an equally absurd point of view," it is not stated in the article that her and Kennedy's claims on Black vs. white genetics were not serious at the time.

Of course it's true, she wrote it and never denied that she wrote it. The fact checker's conclusion is based on what Clarke didn't write at that time - I guess Marnin has some omniscience allowing her to discern a person's intent from decades in the future - and if indeed that were Clarke's true feelings, wouldn't there be more evidence of such in the last 37 years?

Nothing but a race baiting piece of BS - exactly what Carlson deals in daily.

#23 | Posted by tonyroma at 2021-01-20 12:01 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Excuse me, 27 years.

#24 | Posted by tonyroma at 2021-01-20 12:03 AM | Reply

RCade, it's time to send in the clowns.
#21 | POSTED BY BOCAINK

We're already here :)

#25 | Posted by ClownShack at 2021-01-20 01:12 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

POSTED BY MENSAMAN

This troll derailed this thread pretty quickly.

RCade should ban the account and delete all post after #8, including this one.

#26 | Posted by ClownShack at 2021-01-20 01:18 AM | Reply

"Keep up your unlateral attacks on me and we'll soon se who's last standing.
#18 | POSTED BY MADSCIENTIST "

Seems University of Subway didn't stress using spell check.

#27 | Posted by MensaMan at 2021-01-20 01:21 AM | Reply

"Of course it's true, she wrote it and never denied that she wrote it.
#23 | POSTED BY TONYROMA "

Exactly, it is true and not disputed she wrote that disgusting trash. The only thing new is her making up a story to try to explain away her racist views so she is more acceptable for a government position. It is like Democrats don't understand the space time continuum. Like Joe's statements about his 3 degrees, top half of his class, scholarships, etc - all 100% proven false. Or Harris claiming to smoke pot while listening to 2Pac before he released his music. Are the Democrat leaders that stupid or are they just trolling their base to force you to explain the unexplainable?

#28 | Posted by MensaMan at 2021-01-20 01:24 AM | Reply

"it is not stated in the article"

Except it is.
The article is titled "in response to those who defend The Bell Curve."

#29 | Posted by snoofy at 2021-01-20 01:32 AM | Reply

Mensakook: *Golf Clap*

#30 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-20 01:42 AM | Reply

"Except it is.
The article is titled "in response to those who defend The Bell Curve."
#29 | POSTED BY SNOOFY"

Your argument is with Newsweek, not me -------. In whining about them, I would probably advise you to not take a portion of their response out of context while complaining that is what Tucker did. If you take the entire statement by Newsweek "it is not stated in the article that her and Kennedy's claims on Black vs. white genetics were not serious at the time" you will see that they are not debating whether she the piece in response to the Bell Curve, it is that she does not identify the piece as satirical at any point in time. That claim by Newsweek is 100% correct.

#31 | Posted by MensaMan at 2021-01-20 01:45 AM | Reply

Mensakook, I was wondering, are you staying at least 2000 feet from all schools, playgrounds, and day care centers like the good Judge told you to? Or are you living life footloose and fancy-free, throwing caution to the wind?

#32 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-20 01:46 AM | Reply

#31

At least you got the "doubling down" thing nailed.

If you noticed, doubling down on bullshart isn't working so well right now

#33 | Posted by bocaink at 2021-01-20 01:53 AM | Reply

MensesMan Mao?

#34 | Posted by Corky at 2021-01-20 01:54 AM | Reply

Nah, Mao say dung was much smarter.

#35 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-20 01:56 AM | Reply

He won't last much longer tonight. The bottle is empty and the waning inebriation has started to set in on him.

#36 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-20 01:58 AM | Reply

I do have a a recipe for him for stir-fried walrus d--k. Take one red bell pepper, one onion, broccoli florets (blanched), water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, fish sauce, and 500g of walrus d--k. Stir fry and add blanched broccoli florets. Plate and serve. Incidentally, as a bonus, the walrus' baculum makes an excellent toothpick.

#37 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-20 02:03 AM | Reply | Funny: 1

Nah, this is Mensakook thinking we are all idiots like him/her (assuming it's a him because most women have some sense of respectability)

#38 | Posted by bocaink at 2021-01-20 02:07 AM | Reply

Seems University of Subway didn't stress using spell check.
#27 | POSTED BY MENSAMAN

Womp womp.

Did your dad teach you the art of the retort?

#39 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2021-01-20 02:07 AM | Reply

I'd wager his dad taught him something, but this is a family website and I wouldn't want to speculate as to what form of abuse was taken out (in?) on him.

#40 | Posted by madscientist at 2021-01-20 02:12 AM | Reply

The Turd Reich is over at noon.

*Sigh of relief*

#41 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2021-01-20 02:52 AM | Reply | Funny: 3

I don't know about the rest of you but I'm convinced. This guy is definitely MENSA material. Probably the Grand Dragon or some such.

AFTA
I read the article and went through a few of the hotlinks. Burns didn't say what the headline says he did. Not even close. This tendency to over simplify, over exaggerate, put words in people's mouths for clicks and likes is part of the problem, not a solution to it.

The Civil War and The War bring home the silverware, but Unforgivable Blackness is IMNHO his masterpiece. www.youtube.com

And just because I cant hear the name Ken Burns without thinking Joe Medicine Crow whipping a krout draft horse across the Siegfried Line singing a war cry: www.youtube.com
Gets you right in the feels..

#42 | Posted by BluSky at 2021-01-20 04:19 AM | Reply

The Turd Reich is over at noon.

The turd just got on the plane...

#43 | Posted by REDIAL at 2021-01-20 09:21 AM | Reply

It's alright. A Dem is in office. All of our problems are over. Articles like this are irrelevant now.

#44 | Posted by humtake at 2021-01-20 11:49 AM | Reply

It's alright. A Dem is in office. All of our problems are over. Articles like this are irrelevant now.

#44 | POSTED BY HUMTAKE

You mistake gladness over real leadership taking office as "all our problems are over."

Can you taste the stupid when you write this claptrap?

#45 | Posted by jpw at 2021-01-20 11:56 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"it is that she does not identify the piece as satirical at any point in time."

^
Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" does not identify itself as satirical either.
You're supposed to be smart enough to figure that out for yourself, Mr... (checks username) MENSA Man.

#46 | Posted by snoofy at 2021-01-20 02:58 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

#44 | POSTED BY HUMTAKE

Your hyperbole is duly noted and will be considered in future conversations. Hope the feels aren't too sore.

God speed.

#47 | Posted by rstybeach11 at 2021-01-20 04:48 PM | Reply

It is laughable that the MSM gives so much attention to 'White Supremacy'. Seriously, where do you rate 'White Supremacy' among the top 10 concerns you have?

#9 | Posted by MensaMan

Well considering white supremacy led to the election of a moron who got more americans killed than all our foreign wars combined, I'd say white supremacy is our number 2 problem right behind environmental catastrophe.

#48 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2021-01-20 09:35 PM | Reply

It's alright. A Dem is in office. All of our problems are over. Articles like this are irrelevant now.

#44 | Posted by humtake

Smart. Set up an impossible standard for dems to meet so you can say they failed.

You think they'll manage to get nearly as americans killed as your stupid cult leader did?

#49 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2021-01-20 09:36 PM | Reply

And considering that white supremacists are, according to the FBI, the DOJ, and Homeland Security, the largest perpetrators and threats of domestic terrorism in America, one wonders why that poster, whomever he used to be, has so little concern about them.

Perhaps he's one of them? That would be one explanation.

#50 | Posted by Corky at 2021-01-20 09:40 PM | Reply

Articles like this are irrelevant now.

#44 | POSTED BY HUMTAKE

All of your deplorable lies are irrelevant now.

#51 | Posted by donnerboy at 2021-01-21 04:49 PM | Reply

"Kristen Clarke
"Five: Melanin endows Blacks with greater mental, physical and spiritual abilities, something which cannot be measured based on Eurocentric standards."
How about this version?
"Five: Melanin hinders Blacks leading to lower mental, physical and spiritual abilities, something which cannot be measured based on Afrocentric standards."
For me, a person stating either should not be holding a position in government.

#11 | POSTED BY MENSAMAN

First, yeah that would be racist if she meant it.

Second, she didn't. The article was in The Harvard Crimson in 1994 using the same logic, backwards, from The Bell Curve...which literally said these things about White People. The WHOLE point was to be absurd about how The Bell Curve treated genetics to support White Supremacy by using the same arguments backward to satirically promote Black Supremacy. The Harvard Crimson is a daily student news paper at Harvard, not a research or legal journal.

Third, do you know WHY this wasn't an issue in 1994 at Harvard? Because people understood the point the article was making: Using random genetic markers and making random claims about them makes no sense but anyone can do it.

How is it people in 1994 got it but idiot Trumpers today somehow missed the point?

#52 | Posted by Sycophant at 2021-01-21 06:03 PM | Reply

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