Monthly Archives: February 2007

Macbeth and Manliness

Looking over the Macbeth essay for the 85,000th time, I cannot help but note that while I am very clear in alluding to the inversion of Christ through Malcolm, I am not clear on the tearing apart of Macbeth through different notions of love. (It should be noted that while I hold Lady Macbeth symbolizes …

February 18, 2007 – 8:08 am | By ashok | Posted in politics | Tagged , | Comments (0)

How Not To Do Conservative Media

How to make Conservatives look like stupid, boorish jackassesThanks, Joel Surnow: just because 24 thrives on your utter lack of subtlety and inability to write dialogue, you feel you can be the comedian for the Right by making jokes not unlike Hans Moleman’s film in “The Simpsons” entitled “Man Getting Hit by Football.” I mean, …

February 17, 2007 – 7:24 pm | By ashok | Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged | Comments (1)

Links, 2/16

Not being online means there isn’t much to share. I’m also not feeling particularly well at the moment.1. Amy King’s poem “Never Is Less” is definitely worth a read. Still working on what to say about it, as it is an experience that is well-worth it, but definitely mixed. Bonus points for identifying the painting …

February 17, 2007 – 12:14 am | By ashok | Posted in links | Comments (0)

Connection Problems, and What to Take Seriously

I have not been able to get on the Internet since early yesterday morning because of my ISP (Verizon) – now, for whatever reason, I am on, so I’d better make full use of this time. My apologies to those of you who commented awaiting a response. I expect the rest of the day will …

February 16, 2007 – 2:25 am | By ashok | Posted in plato, politics | Tagged | Comments (1)

How is it that being alone means I’m part of the largest group of people on the planet?

I write about love in some way every day. And I really don’t know what it is, because if I did, I would treat other people better, I would work a lot harder for myself and for them, and I wouldn’t whine just because I know absolutely no women in my area. At some point, …

February 14, 2007 – 4:51 am | By ashok | Posted in love | Comments (3)

Is Politics Reducible to Rhetoric?

The following is only a summary (with some purposely loaded comments) of an aspect of Leo Strauss’ essay “On Aristotle’s Politics,” found in The City and Man, pg. 17-24 Machiavelli held that it was possible for tyrannical power to come about from a “deep knowledge of political things.” The conclusion of the essay on Macbeth …

February 13, 2007 – 3:50 pm | By ashok | Posted in aristotle, politics | Tagged , , | Comments (3)

Links, 2/12

1. A new blog on politics and communications has some thoughtful posts and is definitely worth a look: see Participation(s)2. Barack Obama’s Church, courtesy of PTN.3. Another toy for your blog – this one depends on your ability to write headlines.4. Some expanded thoughts on one of Participation(s) entries.That’s it for today. I’m still rereading …

February 12, 2007 – 3:57 pm | By ashok | Posted in links | Comments (2)

A Very Preliminary Thought on Nature and Convention

According to him [the Athenian stranger in Plato's Laws], these men [sophists] assert that all things which are have come into being ultimately out of and through certain “first things” which are not strictly speaking “things” but which are responsible for the coming into being and perishing of everything that comes into being and perishes; …

February 11, 2007 – 3:41 pm | By ashok | Posted in philosophy, politics | Comments (1)

The Gruesomeness of Emily Dickinson: "I’ve seen a Dying Eye"

“I’ve seen a Dying Eye” Emily Dickinson I’ve seen a Dying Eye Run round and round a Room – In search of Something — as it seemed – Then Cloudier become – And then — obscure with Fog – And then — be soldered down Without disclosing what it be ‘Twere blessed to have seen …

February 9, 2007 – 1:30 pm | By ashok | Posted in dickinson, poetry | Tagged , | Comments (4)

The Fall of Man: On "Children of Men"

For Paul Drozdowski. Spoilers abound, be warned. Our hero’s day job at the Energy Company proves far too nauseating for him, when he sees his fellow employees all at their workstations, each watching the exact same broadcast, and crying. There is nothing nauseating occurring in his mind when he’s bleeding to death at an old …

February 8, 2007 – 12:21 am | By ashok | Posted in love, movies | Comments (9)