Letters to the Editor
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And that's why Glenn Reynolds and the guys at Powerline
Having everything you write be subjected to instantaneous critiques from smart, informed people -- even when (especially when) they tell you how wrong you are -- is one of the principal advantages of blogging.
-- GlennGreenwald
Have never tried it. Blogging, I mean.
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Holly and J. Belinda
If for no other reason, the mood swings here are a sorta rush and reason to stay?
The mood swings come and go.
Ya's get a momentary suffering?
It's a motion sickness ailment.
We'll be okay if we stay merry.
Okay. Never get married tho?
No have too sad mood swings.
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WT's post
Symbology
Near the end of the last thread, ToneinDC, in response to an earlier comment of mine, referred to the Potomac as being not much to see -- green sometimes, brown at others -- he made it seem pretty unsavory.
From his handle, I imagine that he sees it in or near the city. The urban vantage point isn't usually the best place to see any river. Stuff gets thrown into it, and the sky above it rarely casts auspicious reflections.
When I spoke of the Potomac, I was thinking of looking down from the top of a grass-covered hill with Mount Vernon behind me, which gave me quite a different perspective, even though I was very conscious of the slave quarters just on the other side of the main house from me.
I was speaking symbolically, of course, and symbols often seem simply disruptive to people who must deal on a daily basis with a more mundane reality. As with the Potomac, so also with the rest of Washington. The great themes of American history, and American political theory are from a time in this country when everything seemed both new and possible. That is no longer the case.
When Glenn and others try to apply such themes to present day Washington, they are brushed away. They aren't -- or don't seem -- relevant to the current meeting with a lobbyist about the upcoming appropriations bill, or to the latest gossip about which Senator has just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar, or up the skirt of one of his interns.
The great busy machinery of a million ambitions grinds on, and no one bothers to look up. Everyone knows that the river is green, and probably has sewage in it. They'll get 'round to it in due course. In the meantime, how could anybody have anything to offer who isn't up to his elbows in the current project? No city appreciates amateurs, and Washington appreciates them less than any other city I can think of.
Frankly, I don't see much symbolic difference between a Cheney who thinks that we don't understand the true glories of war and civilization, and a Charlie Rose who's somehow incorporated an embarrassingly obsequious shuck and jive into the very roots of his personality. Both are servants of a master which can't be located, yet exists nevertheless.
The poisonous certainties of the status quo aren't invulnerable, especially over time, but they're difficult to attack from outside the citadel. One way which shows promise is to attack the logical fallacies inherent in their daily compromises, as Glenn does. Another is to attack the symbolic perversions which they rely on for their justification. The former works best with those already trapped inside, I think. The latter works better with those who aren't already committed to the warren of low expectations, and in looking at their own lives, wonder exactly what it's all for.
-- William Timberman
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I enjoyed your post, WT. And your point is taken.
I don't wax poetic very much. I am here in this city. Not far from the old hospital from which my parents carried me home. I've lived here most of my life.
My idealism could use some work. I've been to Mount Vernon, and ridden past the grist mill and then on to Fort Belvoir. I don't see things the same way that you do, but I can understand your point of view. I don't have that kind of sight right now. Your post reminded me of Churchill's speeches, the few that I've read or heard. I admit I have little in common, rhetorically or otherwise, with the Prime Minister.
When I look at my city, my vision isn't what it might be. They found pfisteria in that river, and who knows what else. I'll be able to look with more optimism in November. I hope. Hillary or Barack will improve my vitreous humor. ;-)
Seeing Junior continue his life's work of completely ruining anything and everything he touches would mess up anyone's vision.
Again, great post.
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1:45 minutes of wasted time..
The editor dropped the ball on this one. Mr. Rose could have saved us all a lot of trouble by just airing the 15 plus minutes of the Iraqi pundits. They put everything in perspective beginning with America's previous support of Sadaam to the destruction of Iraq's infrastructure in 1990, to the debilitating effects of the sanctions. If you really want to know what we are doing overseas, you are usually better off asking those affected by our actions. But, no one will really listen to those two gentlemen. Instead, too much will be made of the banter and accusations of the American "experts". You see, the press is not entirely the blame when it comes to our understanding the world. All the information we need is out there if we are willing to look - and listen.
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@Bucky
Is there a place on the face of planet Earth that is safe from American intervention?
Sweden? Only because they don't have a US base on their soil. Although I'm sure we can bomb them from a more accommodating and friendly neighbor, especially after President Obama uses his Foreign Policy Magic Wand and makes it so that our friends don't think we are jerks when we use their rooftop to spread DU all over their neighbor's yard.
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Tone in DC.
In DC you need skin as deep as a smelly pink tuna?
I hope DC residents don't have 'pfisteria' fish sores.
W.T. is getting old. He forgets what 'diddy-wah-diddy' means?
It can't be true? I heard a condom can come through a DC H20 faucet.