Guys, the central point is that there's no critical mass of politically active voters acclimated to real hardship. The poor are not what you'd call an active political constituency, and compared to the rest of the population, there are comparatively fewer of them.
"I wasn’t suggesting that the island of Guam would literally tip over," said Johnson. "I was using a metaphor to say that with the addition of 8,000 Marines and their dependents – an additional 80,000 people during peak construction to the port on the tiny island with a population of 180,000 – could be a tipping point which would adversely affect the island’s fragile ecosystem and over burden its already overstressed infrastructure.
"Having traveled to Guam last year, I saw firsthand how this beautiful – but vulnerable - island is already overburdened, and I was simply voicing my concerns that the addition of that many people could tip the delicate balance and do harm to Guam."
I don't think that passage is talking about resource allocation. There's a clear moral difference between deciding person X shouldn't get a hip transplant because we need to feed 10,000 starving people and deciding person X needs to be sacrificed to achieve some socialist utopia.
No one ever accused Koestler of nuance, but I won't apologize for being intensely moved by that passage. Some of it was context - it's hard not to be touched by anti-totalitarianism when you're visiting a country that still bears the scars of a brutal Soviet occupation. But some of it is taking comfort in knowing that human dignity is important, and a fierce belief that human beings shouldn't be treated instrumentally.
As a recent college grad, my financial position is already shaky (to say the least). But if Wisconsin goes out to Wofford, my children's children will be consigned to penury. FML.
I'm probably not doing justice to Blond's critique, Dan. I'll post the video when they put it up online. That might give you a better sense of what he's talking about.
Blond isn't a collectivist, which is why he explicitly describes himself as a "classical liberal." When he refers to "radical individualism," he's critiquing a society that views personal choice as the ultimate public good. But clearly, his vision of civil society leaves plenty of room for individual autonomy.
Good post. As I said, I think it's undeniable that assimilation has diluted Irish-American culture. I think the trade-off is worth it in this particular context, but it's worth acknowledging that we've lost something in the process. This old post from TAS is also worth reading:
On “New Blog Announcement”
That Dierkes guy is a real hack. Other than that, looks good!
On “The Surge – it worked!”
Just as soon as Republicans acknowledge that invading Iraq was a stupid idea, I'd wager.
On “Not too late!”
Best. Meme. Ever. The complete lack of overlap between the four lists from the League is also pretty amusing.
On “Tennis-track versus wrestling-track Democrats”
Word. We basketball fans feel like an embattled minority.
On “Auserity Measures”
Guys, the central point is that there's no critical mass of politically active voters acclimated to real hardship. The poor are not what you'd call an active political constituency, and compared to the rest of the population, there are comparatively fewer of them.
"
The qualifier "few" is in there for a reason, Mike.
On “Headline of the Day”
Actually, this sounds pretty plausible when you look at the full transcript:
http://corner.nationalreview.com/post/?q=NDkyMTkzMGNkNTYwMzE3ZWI0Nzg0MWZkNTBjMmY4YmU=
"
Johnson clarifies:
"I wasn’t suggesting that the island of Guam would literally tip over," said Johnson. "I was using a metaphor to say that with the addition of 8,000 Marines and their dependents – an additional 80,000 people during peak construction to the port on the tiny island with a population of 180,000 – could be a tipping point which would adversely affect the island’s fragile ecosystem and over burden its already overstressed infrastructure.
"Having traveled to Guam last year, I saw firsthand how this beautiful – but vulnerable - island is already overburdened, and I was simply voicing my concerns that the addition of that many people could tip the delicate balance and do harm to Guam."
Stay thirsty, my friend.
On “____, baby, ____!”
You just publicly admitted to following Sarah Palin's twitter feed. So much for your highbrow street cred, Rufus.
On “A few books that have made me”
I don't think that passage is talking about resource allocation. There's a clear moral difference between deciding person X shouldn't get a hip transplant because we need to feed 10,000 starving people and deciding person X needs to be sacrificed to achieve some socialist utopia.
"
Just caught this, Kyle, and that's hilarious. I'm jealous you got to take a class with him.
"
No one ever accused Koestler of nuance, but I won't apologize for being intensely moved by that passage. Some of it was context - it's hard not to be touched by anti-totalitarianism when you're visiting a country that still bears the scars of a brutal Soviet occupation. But some of it is taking comfort in knowing that human dignity is important, and a fierce belief that human beings shouldn't be treated instrumentally.
"
Indeed!
"
Tell me true, Mike Schilling. Did you really find Howard Roark totally unappealing?
On “The League of Ordinary Madness (II)”
What a freaking game.
On “Friday Night Jukebox”
Good call, Tim.
On “The League of Ordinary Madness (II)”
The Catamounts? Go Vermont!
On “Blond at Georgetown”
I was also confused by Blond's choice of terminology. But it may be that I've just horribly mangled his presentation.
On “Freedom Scam?”
Maybe not: http://spectator.org/blog/2010/03/19/did-schlussel-smear-hannity
On “The League of Ordinary Madness (II)”
Gents -
As a recent college grad, my financial position is already shaky (to say the least). But if Wisconsin goes out to Wofford, my children's children will be consigned to penury. FML.
On “Blond at Georgetown”
I'm probably not doing justice to Blond's critique, Dan. I'll post the video when they put it up online. That might give you a better sense of what he's talking about.
On “Freedom Scam?”
I'm torn between my disdain for Sean Hannity and my belief that Schlussel is abso-fucking-lutely bonkers.
On “Blond at Georgetown”
Dan -
Blond isn't a collectivist, which is why he explicitly describes himself as a "classical liberal." When he refers to "radical individualism," he's critiquing a society that views personal choice as the ultimate public good. But clearly, his vision of civil society leaves plenty of room for individual autonomy.
On “The League of Ordinary Madness (II)”
Crap, sorry Mike. ESPN won't let me unlock the damn group.
On “St. Patrick’s Day & Liberal Culture”
Good post. As I said, I think it's undeniable that assimilation has diluted Irish-American culture. I think the trade-off is worth it in this particular context, but it's worth acknowledging that we've lost something in the process. This old post from TAS is also worth reading:
http://theamericanscene.com/2009/03/17/don-t-kiss-me
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.