- What do the Taliban have in common with high schools? They both hand out diplomas. Thank you, Pakistan.
- In related news: CPAC allows homophobic bigot to take the stage, and the results are predictable. Unbelievable.
- Megan McArdle, “The Majesty of the Law” – from the article: I’ve read a lot about prohibition, but I never read about the government’s deliberate effort to make industrial alcohol undrinkably poisonous. Thousands of people seem to have died as a result. (A few of you have asked about this, so I need to clarify. I am for the war on drugs. But I know it can be conducted a lot more humanely and with far more respect for people’s liberties.)
- Charles Krauthammer, “Excuses for Obama’s Failure to Lead” – I don’t think he appreciates the situation in regard to entitlements sufficiently, but I could be mistaken. Still, an awesome op-ed that captures how much left-of-center punditry is hyping up how radical America is for purely partisan purposes. The difference between me and many who decry the Right couldn’t be starker: they have policy outcomes they want. I want better citizens.
- Paige Williams, “Dolly, Rejection and Radiohead Journalism” (h/t Josh) – read the whole thing, and note that her online presence before the article was probably smaller than mine is now, yet her work went “viral.” I’m thinking a large part of that is that she asked for donations. Somehow, when we feel like “money” is related to something, it’s a lot more important. That donation button might be going up soon.
-
About Ashok
I am a graduate student in political science at the University of Dallas who thinks the media is dumb for the most part, yet am immersed myself. I am looking to break my addiction, and this blog is part of the solution: Why not try to see what the past can tell us about the present, as opposed to seeing what the present has to say about the present only?
Currently residing in Cherry Hill, NJ. Facebook. Contact me.
-
OK, I’m sold. What should I read here?
- Analysis of The Gettysburg Address: Is Democracy Feasible?
- Analysis of Lincoln's "Second Inaugural:" Where do American virtues lie?
- Commentary on the Book of Jonah
- On "Batman Begins"
- From Love to God: On Hopkins' "As Kingfishers Catch Fire"
- On Emily Dickinson's "These are the days when birds come back..."
- The Coming Age: Macbeth and the Birth of the Modern World
- On Polemarchus: Commentary on the Republic of Plato, 331d-336a
- A Reading of Plato's "Crito"
- Towards a Nietzschean Understanding of Politics: Notes on "The Case of Wagner"
-
Archives
-
Meta
I was at CPAC. My feeling after returning to normalcy? The prospects are tough here. It is a tough crowd to work with – especially those surrounding Ron Paul and his “Campaign for Liberty.” Thomas DiLorenzo – the “scholar” – authored several books including “The Real Lincoln” and “Lincoln Unmasked,” both of which serve the secessionist, “Lincoln was the worst president ever” cause.
Their position is simply incoherent. When I told them that no, I wasn’t planning on buying the book – just investigating sophistry – one of them told me that it might be good to open my mind to some “views” contrary to Lincoln’s own. I told them that I had already read Stephen Douglas’ speeches and Judge Taney’s opinion.
@ thag – I’ve met Tom DiLorenzo personally (yes, he was a nice guy). The University of Dallas held a debate in which he participated. It was not much of a debate. He and another professor pretty much talked about how the Supreme Court might try to ban Christianity – I shit you not – and secession is therefore something that needs to be considered.
Part of the problem with blogging is that I cannot convey in words just how much right-wing extremism I’ve experienced front-and-center.