It's not so much "surprise" as it is I don't remember quite where/when everything happens. For instance, I didn't remember that Jaime corners Ned outside the brothel. I remembered that shit begins hitting the fan in earnest about that time, but not the order of things. So that's why I like to keep the books rusty. But yes, everyone should read the books if they haven't or else really, really avoid spoilers.
No doubt it's bad leadership. He's "just a soldier" as Cersei puts it. The Starks are not the smartest bunch, as is made obvious in the books/show time and time again. They are headstrong and honorable, but not nearly as clever as others. Eddard under-estimated the danger and his enemies brutality.
I disagree. A more emotionally flawed, impulsive Cersei would be caught. She has to maintain a high level of control on every aspect of her life - and especially this secret. If anything, I find it more plausible this way.
Ah yes. Well Obama is not the ideal president for a peacenick like myself. Unfortunately, in the end I believe he will be facing another warmonger for the top job.
I agree that the symbolic value is important. But is the cult of personality surrounding him really gone? Don't martyrs play a significant role in the mythology motivating the suicide attackers? I suppose wherever I see signs for optimism, I see some dark twist that makes me doubt.
Also, the sense of achievement, victory, revenge, etc. - it all falls a little short in a way. We've lost so much, killing Osama bin Laden hardly matters anymore. Too little, too late. I realize the symbolic importance, but I will be happier when the Patriot Act is killed.
Honestly, it's not so much the literal 'cheering in the streets' as it is the broader idea that killing Osama means, once again, that We're Number One! Maybe I'm overreacting. I'm glad he's dead, don't get me wrong. I just find the celebration of this event to be somewhat ... bizarre. Or, rather, a bit wrong-headed. Contra Rufus, I don't think most people celebrating his death are thinking at all about civil liberties and the loss of freedom we've experienced since 9/11.
On “Beyond Unions”
Simon, this is an excellent comment. Thanks.
On “Changing Minds”
Yes - exactly.
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Many beliefs are this way. But I know from my own struggles with religion that many beliefs are also much less concrete. At least for me.
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I wasn't taking it quite so literally, I suppose. I'm just quite used to changing my mind on things I guess.
On “Cersei”
I didn't read it that way at all, actually. But I'll have to revisit the text.
On “Game of Thrones Book Club”
It's not so much "surprise" as it is I don't remember quite where/when everything happens. For instance, I didn't remember that Jaime corners Ned outside the brothel. I remembered that shit begins hitting the fan in earnest about that time, but not the order of things. So that's why I like to keep the books rusty. But yes, everyone should read the books if they haven't or else really, really avoid spoilers.
On “Cersei”
No doubt it's bad leadership. He's "just a soldier" as Cersei puts it. The Starks are not the smartest bunch, as is made obvious in the books/show time and time again. They are headstrong and honorable, but not nearly as clever as others. Eddard under-estimated the danger and his enemies brutality.
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But Eddard is loyal to a fault. He had to stay to find out more because of his loyalty both to Robert and the memory of Jon Arryn.
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I disagree. A more emotionally flawed, impulsive Cersei would be caught. She has to maintain a high level of control on every aspect of her life - and especially this secret. If anything, I find it more plausible this way.
On “A Few Good Men”
Thanks for the suggestion but that's just not how we roll.
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I read that as "Buddha" which threw me for a minute.
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Tom, for purposes of discourse, I think you're right. I will refrain from use of the term in so glib a fashion.
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Ah yes. Well Obama is not the ideal president for a peacenick like myself. Unfortunately, in the end I believe he will be facing another warmonger for the top job.
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I choose to remain stubbornly in denial of this line of reasoning.
On “The War on Terror’s Crossroads”
Some funny formatting going on here.
On “The Dead”
Good points. Though beyond this many other causes of continued violence remain.
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Possibly. Then again if you can die a martyr for killing a bunch of innocent people, including women and children, this might not matter much.
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I agree that the symbolic value is important. But is the cult of personality surrounding him really gone? Don't martyrs play a significant role in the mythology motivating the suicide attackers? I suppose wherever I see signs for optimism, I see some dark twist that makes me doubt.
"
Also, the sense of achievement, victory, revenge, etc. - it all falls a little short in a way. We've lost so much, killing Osama bin Laden hardly matters anymore. Too little, too late. I realize the symbolic importance, but I will be happier when the Patriot Act is killed.
"
We're just doing it to protect civilians!
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I hear you. I think maybe blogging has just forever damaged my sense of optimism.
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Oh, was this a holier-than-thou backlash? My apologies if that is the case.
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Honestly, it's not so much the literal 'cheering in the streets' as it is the broader idea that killing Osama means, once again, that We're Number One! Maybe I'm overreacting. I'm glad he's dead, don't get me wrong. I just find the celebration of this event to be somewhat ... bizarre. Or, rather, a bit wrong-headed. Contra Rufus, I don't think most people celebrating his death are thinking at all about civil liberties and the loss of freedom we've experienced since 9/11.
On “Redistribution and the State”
I suggest no such thing. Quite the contrary.
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Unless one understands the many ways liberty is distorted by poverty one is merely a rightwinger.
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