Comments on: Does the Earth belong to the Living? On Jefferson’s Letter to Madison, Sept. 6, 1789 http://www.ashokkarra.com/2008/12/does-the-earth-belong-to-the-living-on-jeffersons-letter-to-madison-sept-6-1789/ On Poetry, Politics and Philosophy - A Sketch, An Intersection Thu, 09 Feb 2012 05:44:12 +0000 hourly 1 By: amanda http://www.ashokkarra.com/2008/12/does-the-earth-belong-to-the-living-on-jeffersons-letter-to-madison-sept-6-1789/comment-page-1/#comment-1677 amanda Sun, 28 Dec 2008 03:42:36 +0000 http://www.ashokkarra.com/?p=1706#comment-1677 Aww, I was gonna jump up in my defense over your comment, but somebody's beaten me to it. Not that I'm actually a Libertarian or that you aren't right about the many many people who don't factor the unpleasantness of the world into their, um, ideology, or defend it, or celebrate it. I prefer to overlook it, but know very well it's there. And true that some debt has been necessary because of that unpleasantness. I hope your trip is going well!! Aww, I was gonna jump up in my defense over your comment, but somebody’s beaten me to it. Not that I’m actually a Libertarian or that you aren’t right about the many many people who don’t factor the unpleasantness of the world into their, um, ideology, or defend it, or celebrate it.

I prefer to overlook it, but know very well it’s there.

And true that some debt has been necessary because of that unpleasantness.

I hope your trip is going well!!

]]> By: thag http://www.ashokkarra.com/2008/12/does-the-earth-belong-to-the-living-on-jeffersons-letter-to-madison-sept-6-1789/comment-page-1/#comment-1672 thag Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:54:46 +0000 http://www.ashokkarra.com/?p=1706#comment-1672 I say that about Burke because I think he would definitely say the dead are owed something... I say that about Burke because I think he would definitely say the dead are owed something…

]]> By: thag http://www.ashokkarra.com/2008/12/does-the-earth-belong-to-the-living-on-jeffersons-letter-to-madison-sept-6-1789/comment-page-1/#comment-1671 thag Sat, 27 Dec 2008 22:53:39 +0000 http://www.ashokkarra.com/?p=1706#comment-1671 I remember listening to a lecture on this once that was very similar to this synopsis. Jefferson must have talked about this a lot because the lecture was over a letter he wrote to Sam Kercheval. I sort of agree with machinepolitick's defense of the Libertarians, though I must admit that every time I think of that group I immediately am reminded of Judge Douglas circa 1850s. This is a very interesting letter, especially considering the utility of original intent, and of higher things like "justice." It would be nice if you could do something on Burke soon - from his Reflections on the Revolution in France - just for the sake of contrast. There are some good little nuggets in there, too. I remember listening to a lecture on this once that was very similar to this synopsis. Jefferson must have talked about this a lot because the lecture was over a letter he wrote to Sam Kercheval. I sort of agree with machinepolitick’s defense of the Libertarians, though I must admit that every time I think of that group I immediately am reminded of Judge Douglas circa 1850s. This is a very interesting letter, especially considering the utility of original intent, and of higher things like “justice.”

It would be nice if you could do something on Burke soon – from his Reflections on the Revolution in France – just for the sake of contrast. There are some good little nuggets in there, too.

]]> By: machinepolitick http://www.ashokkarra.com/2008/12/does-the-earth-belong-to-the-living-on-jeffersons-letter-to-madison-sept-6-1789/comment-page-1/#comment-1649 machinepolitick Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:26:27 +0000 http://www.ashokkarra.com/?p=1706#comment-1649 A very well written synopsis. Interesting as usual, because it brings up points I might not have otherwise considered. I have to disagree with you on the point about Libertarians, although I will concede that many of us are annoying. As with all philosophies, the ones who yell loudest are the wack jobs who make the rest of us look bad. All Libertarians are not potheads, as all Republicans are not religious zealots. As a Libertarian, I think people should be free to govern themselves, with as little federal intervention as possible, provided noone is harmed or divested of their property. I see the need for government, but like our founding fathers, believe that it should be constrained as much as possible. I believe Socrates put it best by saying: justice is “minding your own business.” Keep up the good work. I hope you had a great Christmas. A very well written synopsis. Interesting as usual, because it brings up points I might not have otherwise considered.
I have to disagree with you on the point about Libertarians, although I will concede that many of us are annoying. As with all philosophies, the ones who yell loudest are the wack jobs who make the rest of us look bad. All Libertarians are not potheads, as all Republicans are not religious zealots.
As a Libertarian, I think people should be free to govern themselves, with as little federal intervention as possible, provided noone is harmed or divested of their property. I see the need for government, but like our founding fathers, believe that it should be constrained as much as possible. I believe Socrates put it best by saying: justice is “minding your own business.”
Keep up the good work. I hope you had a great Christmas.

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