Letters to the Editor
-
That's what I call an AWESOME display...
...of hubris.
Anybody familiar w/ SpongeBob?
Not-so-Bright sounds just like PLANKTON!
-
The American "Right" has always been "Enemy" driven.
This is a theme I have explored quite a bit. Being from the "Right" myself I now see how much of the modern American "conservative" movement is driven by "enemies". Myriad enemies actually.
It is what drives the organized right in this country.
And along side this "enemy" driven agenda is ironically, the totally anti conservative notion of their pureness and goodness. They are angelic sinless victims of myriad enemies. And not just normal equal enemies. But Devils and demons- that have absolutely no reason to hate them but that they are just evil inherently. They don't respect their enemies. In even defending their countries from American aggression for example- they are actually attacking goodness and advancing evil and are thus not deserving of the least consideration (kill their women and children- torture them, murder them, nuke them- no restraints should be used against this "evil.")
A total lack of empathy marks the American right. They are absolutely incapable of seeing anything from the perspective of their enemies (or anyone actually.)
Look at the concept of "Anti Americanism". Not only the right embraces this fuzzy throw away meaningless word. Our entire mainstream does. "Anti Americanism" isn't based upon anything America does. It is just something that exists because foreigners are jealous evil haters of America. Our media and elites act as if "Anti Americanism" is a virus or cold people catch and that can be cured by the right mixture of propaganda cocktails.
Couple essays that explore and touch upon these topics are here:
"American Conservatism is Uncool"
http://thedailyburkeman1.blogspot.com/2007/12/american-conservatism-is-un-cool.html
And "American Self Image, A delusion that runs deep"
http://thedailyburkeman1.blogspot.com/2007/05/american-self-image-delusion-that-runs.html
-
Jkalos.
I sure hope this is my last thought for awhile. There was a George Bird Grinnell (1840-1939) who was born in Brooklyn and studied at Yale, where he got a PhD.
He accompanied Custer's last expeditions in the Black Hills as a naturalist and entered Yellowstone. He traveled into Alaska and edited 'Forrest and Stream' magazine. He founded the first 'Audubon Society' and helped organize the 'New York Zoological Society' in addition to advocating for preserved national parks.
He served President Cleveland and Theodore Roosevelt and negotiated with Indian tribes.
He wrote many books: Scarface, When Buffalo Ran, and 'Blackfoot Lodge Tales...etc.,
He wrote of healing, celestial powers, and the origin of the Indian Medicine Lodge. Jkalos, since you enjoy 'ole Nhat Hanh, I'll mention to you I did a old fashion Indian Sweat Lodge 'gig' on a full Moon night. The facilitator is a serious follower of 'Tai' (teacher) Nhat Hanh from South America. A good Memory. If you ever meet 'Tai' ask him to go out for a long pass and see if he will do a run-back toward you? If he agrees, go easy with the tackle. He walks so slow. heh.
P.S. The age now sure is dark. But I believe in the Light.
-
Am I the only one
getting brightstar confused with ProWar?
Have I lost my moral compass?
Never fear, scooter will send me a sign.
*****
Someone raised the question of "Right" vs "Left." My old understanding of "left" vs "right" was that conservatives favor strengthening the state over the individual, while liberals favor strengthening the individual over the state. That's fine as far as it goes---both valid perspectives---and that simple formula still applies a little bit. There always was a private vs public difference as well, which paradoxically runs counter to the guns vs butter divide. At the far end of each, then, you have the private state (autocrats) vs the people's dictator (you know who).
But at least 3 gaps have opened up between traditional conservative rhetoric and current neocon action:
(1) The state is being weakened and its stature diminished by the purchase of "guns," the use of guns, and policies based on the use of guns. This is less an incompetence issue, although it is that, than it is an issue of ideologues being handed free reign by greedy Dominionists and angry businessmen.
(2) The state is practically being sold off to the private sector, in the sense that outsourcing government functions means we may never govern ourselves again. I include both legal and corrupt contracting and leasing as well as election-year bribing.
(3) The individual used to be paid at least some lip service by the conservative. But now the only individuals who have any rights appear to be members and supporters of the administration. This is no more than a retreat from true conservative republicanism to pure aristocracy.
I think one difference that has arisen to form the current right-left opposition is that the corporation is now more powerful and flexible than ever before in history. This explains both (1) and (2), and even to some degree (3). It also explains the abandonment by the Right of individual rights in favor of corporate ones, while the Right still tries to suggest that being Black is a form of hedonism not worthy of public support.
So try this formula---forget the state:
"Conservatives favor strengthening the corporation over the individual, while liberals favor strengthening the individual over the corporation."
One could argue that plenty of Democrats also support the corporations over the individual, but then we already did know there was something wrong there ...
-
art g? Ya's making a turned bowl? You need to go to the wood shop? It's safer.
Ya's a good pecan nut.
Don't saw your toes off.
Be careful twirling pecan shells.
Peace.
-
whoa
In my neighborhood, we have more than the average share of those who wander the streets having conversations (or, more often than not, arguments) with people who are not there, at least on this plane of existence.
Entertaining as they often are, I've learned not to challenge them. They can get worked up.
backing slowly away, no sudden movements...
-
@Chris Dowd
Only read the first post so far, but it was excellent, and in line with my own experience in many ways. Thanks!
-
Olbermann FISA Special Comment Tonight
Off-topic, but for those interested, Keith Olbermann will deliver one of his "special comments" this evening about the FISA immunity push:
Tonight at 8PM ET tune in for Keith's Special Comment about the President who would rather protect the telephone companies from the law than the American people from the terrorists.
http://thenewshole.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/01/31/626420.aspx?CommentPosted=true#commentmessage