On Target

The culture wars are such an exhausting nightmare, usually driven by one side punching down at another group out of some bizarre, misguided, often hateful fear. Why do they keep popping up everywhere? Because insomuch as they get people riled up and draw focus away from more pressing political issues, they often work. Consider that Bud Light sales are still falling. “We’ve lost a whole generation of hardcore Bud Light shoppers. It’s going to take us at least 10 years to try and recapture what we lost in one year.” Meanwhile, Target is dialing back on Pride merchandise after right-wing backlash.

+ Some culture war topics are new. Some have been around for 163 years, and show little sign of letting up. Virginia school board votes to restore names of Confederate leaders to schools.