George Will and the silver lining...

[jetmonkey]

'Those' people? Which 'those' people? The ones who were for slavery? The ones who wanted women in the kitchen and not voting? The ones terrified of gay people? The ones who thought Social Security and the Great Society were good ideas? The ones who interred Japanese Americans, born in the US citizens?

Maybe the ones that thought Europe's endless squabbles were worth the lives of 180,000 US troops dead and millions more crippled for life in 1918, many of who had intentionally left those squabbles behind, or thought they did?

Just who are 'those' people?

The ones who would shoot you in the face if they caught your hand in their pocket. The ones who figured out they need to elect weasles to do the stealing for them do avoid getting shot in the face.

 

[Larry Gude]

The ones who would shoot you in the face if they caught your hand in their pocket. The ones who figured out they need to elect weasles to do the stealing for them do avoid getting shot in the face.

Like the loyalists in 1775, some full third of 'Americans', who were ALL for King
George because it was better for them? The ones who took up arms against the third of 'us' that figured it would be better without a king? And the third of 'us' that sat on the sidelines, tried to stay out of the shooting, and wait things out until they could discern who was winning? Them?

Ah, so, the 'ones' we've had all along?


It's a fascinating thing, the idea that NOW everything is going to hell in a hand-basket and the good old days were all that. I just spent some great time with my grandfolks, both well into their 80's and my grandfather was saying just that "Why, I fear for tomorrow for the first time in my life. I used to be hopeful and optimistic but, things are soooo bad now..." all the while my grandmother would just laugh and say "Yup, that's what my dad said 80 years ago..."

If we are to be free, then we're stuck with the we, the people we have. The totalitarian impulse that everything sucks now because everyone else is an idiot is not new nor novel. Freedom is messy. Totalitarianism is not messy. Well, at the beginning and end it is but, the middles is great for those who think everyone else is the problem.

I'll take messy and free and win some lose some rather than have it all for awhile and then lose it all. Or never have it at all.

 

[jetmonkey]

Like the loyalists in 1775, some full third of 'Americans', who were ALL for King
George because it was better for them? The ones who took up arms against the third of 'us' that figured it would be better without a king? And the third of 'us' that sat on the sidelines, tried to stay out of the shooting, and wait things out until they could discern who was winning? Them?

Ah, so, the 'ones' we've had all along?


It's a fascinating thing, the idea that NOW everything is going to hell in a hand-basket and the good old days were all that. I just spent some great time with my grandfolks, both well into their 80's and my grandfather was saying just that "Why, I fear for tomorrow for the first time in my life. I used to be hopeful and optimistic but, things are soooo bad now..." all the while my grandmother would just laugh and say "Yup, that's what my dad said 80 years ago..."

If we are to be free, then we're stuck with the we, the people we have. The totalitarian impulse that everything sucks now because everyone else is an idiot is not new nor novel. Freedom is messy. Totalitarianism is not messy. Well, at the beginning and end it is but, the middles is great for those who think everyone else is the problem.

I'll take messy and free and win some lose some rather than have it all for awhile and then lose it all. Or never have it at all.

I agree that 'the people' have always been idiots. But used to be, you could shoot an idiot in the face

 

[MarieB]

I just got around to reading George Will's piece tonight. I try to read his column when I have time. I"m not sure it was what I expected - it was interesting and made me more optimistic. He has a way of pointing out different views

 

[MarieB]

I think this is an interesting article about the future implications (and past examples) of the ruling when it comes to state sovereignty.

Limits on Spending Power Seen as Health Ruling