Letters to the Editor
-
Tempests in a Teapot
The ability to separate feelings from thoughts that Obama, Sontag and Kamiya and many other educated people practice, originates from minds that have the capacity to think. In other words, educated minds. One of the grossly under-discussed facts of democracy is the fallacy that we are all equal. No,we're not. Only education can bring about equality. An educated person can build a rocket ship, and uneducated person cannot. An educated person can see where Rev Wright is coming while an uneducated person condemns him to everlasting hell. An educated person can easily see that Rev Wright is not a genius, but his feelings are an authentic part of America,
Barack Obama has a right to live his own life without your approval. You don't have to vote for him, but you might ponder why he might find Rev Wright's forthrightness nourishing. All levels of intellect are important to society but they are definitely not equal. Superior brain power is what drives the evolution of civilization. We study the mental output of educated geniuses, not uneducated laborers.
My point is that there is no point to wasting tons of cybertime arguing anxious nonsense: e.g he does not love America, bla bla." All points of view are subject to the precepts of democracy therefore they must be based on a modicum of thoughtfulness.Uneducated people instinctively praise conformity, and shout down those who disagree. Democracy is predicated on an ability to tolerate diversity, which does not come naturally. We must be educated to tolerate diversity. Too many shouting, uneducated people will ultimately bring a democracy to its knees.
-
@ Valkyrie607
Hear, hear.
And might I say, fine handle you've got there.
:)
-
Thanks...
I was admiring yours, myself.
-
@brunnhilde: American Exceptionalism
Good point. Historical hyperbole. There is the Iroquois Constitution, for a close example.
And I don't intend to further the notion that Americans themselves are more valuable human beings than human beings in other countries.
You're right to point out that Exceptionalism is both immoral and dangerous.
But we do have a pretty remarkable legacy. When MLK made his Dream speech, he spoke of making good on a promise of the Founders (All men are created equal). He was using the logic of the system against itself, but likely also believed it, for this flawed system contained within it mechanisms for improvement.
If we're going to talk about flag pins, let's see if we can't just worm into the conversation what the flag is supposed to represent.
-
@ weeping for brunnhilde
And thank you for your numerous and very intelligent contributions to this thread, most especially your splendid explications of religion vs. nationalism. Well done!
-
@ chimpygo
Absolutely! This country is what it is, and it is remarkable in many ways, of course.
And I know you weren't suggesting any kind of moral superiority. Thanks for taking my gentle admonition in the spirit in which it was intended.
I'm new around here (I've been reading on and off for years, but not posting) and have noticed a lot of acrimony and defensiveness and general antagonism seemingly for the love of antagonism.
So I just want to thank everyone who, despite this caustic climate, has managed to engage in civil, patient and productive discourse.
For God's sake, if we can't even do that, what's the point of any of it?
If we can't even talk to one another about potentially divisive issues, is it any wonder we're so quick to visit violence upon distant lands whose names we can hardly pronounce?
Without empathy, we're all doomed.
-
Still Missing a Major Point
The furor over Dr. Wright is being blown up so that those white people who are afraid of change will view the constant turmoil of an Obama presidency and say, we had better go with the status quo. That's why every time, Obama handles the issues, the Clinton camp plays that sleight of hand to keep mess going. Obama needs to go back to post-racial or transcendent campaign as he is not just running to be a Black American President. We are playing right in the Clinton's hands and continue to do so. By the way, Gary missed the point that the most salacious and egregious statements from the post 911 sermon were an amplifiation of Ambassador Peck on the CNN Crossfire show of 10/8/2001 where Bill Press was trying to calm him down.
Now James Carville comes out and because the numbers jumped back from Wright, they've got to keep him on the ropes until Pennsylvania and damage him for North Carolina.
Let's stop playing into this divisive and deceptive attempt to throw this election. Clintons are changing all the rules to win, but there is a greater good that the people are looking for - restoring sense of family, national pride, and dignity. The damage from the Clinton years and the mindset that "they know best" will keep us from seizing this moment to move forward. Obama can pick great people to help us move forward. Stop being distracted. Dr. Wright is a great man with more sermons on love and grace than hate; his work in that community and area speaks for itself - helping the homeless, educational grants, counselling and putting 8000 people through colleges. God knows what Dr Wright is doing and will judge that. Obama is not Dr. Wright, he is his own man.
-
The Need for Transcendence in the Postmodern World, by Vaclav Havel
Thank you!
Just for fun, here's a speech about globalization, nationalism, and practical metaphors...
http://www.combusem.com/HAVEL.HTM
-
I know I'm crazy to say this...
...but "constant use of patriotic mottos, slogans, symbols, songs, and other paraphernalia" is first on the list of the 14 defining characteristics of fascism, according to Dr. Lawrence Britt. He says: "Flags are seen everywhere, as are flag symbols on clothing and in public displays."
Take a deep breath. Just pretend I didn't say the f-word. Pretend it's "authoritarian." Pretend it's "antidisestablishmentarianism." Distinguish between your emotions and your thoughts. Try it for a second, you might be surprised.
Now you've taken a deep breath, consider: I did not say "America is fascist." I merely pointed out one similarity America is currently exhibiting with fascist regimes, according to a particular scholar, whom you may or may not agree with.
If that's not a good reason to be deeply suspicious of knee-jerk patriotism, and of people who make a big fucking deal out of whether a person wears a flag pin, I don't know what is.
Ye gods... thanks a lot, Jonah Goldberg, for making that post needlessly tedious.