was about to write something of the kind Mattieu, but you beat me to it. The fact she is wearing 2 masks just places her. I was reading a book that was good until one third in, where they proclaim how off the medical world was, and then said that we should have all worn masks... I don't know if I will continue reading !
It took me a while to understand the degree to which activism is/has been captured by people who are intensely interested in their parochial status games and not so interested in enduring political realities.
In hindsight, I didn't want to know. I was hoping that there was something, some social good, with sufficient innate power to foster and—if necessary—enforce enlightenment. In other words, I was looking for magic...
I've been thinking about this thread. I used the word "magic" in a derogatory sense, but reflection suggests a basic misunderstanding on my part. There is a Dao, a rhythm of life, which many people would consider magic—and they would be right to do so. Thanks for provoking some thought on this, Mickey!
I've been a conservative for most of my life. My first job after college was as an aide to Rudy Giuliani on his first mayoral campaign. I've been obsessed with history going back even further, when I stumbled upon "I, Claudius" on PBS in the mid-70s. I have to tell you, the fanaticism bubbling up now on both fringes is comparable to Weimar Germany in the early 30s. Or, if you prefer, America in the late 1850s. Or Rome at the end of the Republic.
Will America go exactly the same way as in the above scenarios? Of course not. As Twain said, history never repeats. BUT it does often rhyme. The rising fanaticism on both extremes has to be taken seriously. America needs a thorough political detox.
Joe, I found myself very much nodding in agreement. Regardless of which "side" people choose (if they feel they must), the extremes have reached a fever pitch of fanaticism. Social media algorithms are designed to foment and sustain such schisms. Fortunately, each of us has the power and ability to choose independent thought.
True. Unfortunately, our independent thoughts and actions are often meaningless in the context of a nation of 330 million souls. Especially when that nation is on the verge of tearing itself apart.
Thomas Paine had the right idea. I'd change a few words to make it more relevant to the current crisis. "Tyranny" becomes "Tribalism." "Freedom" becomes "The Republic."
To quote Paine:
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. ...”
“I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it.”
I can't trust anyone who shouts Trump! Trump! Trump! but not Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!
Nor can I trust anyone who shouts Hillary! Hillary! Hillary! but not Trump! Trump! Trump!
Nor can I trust anyone who thinks protest is effective as a partisan thing. Good for massaging your self righteousness I suppose, but otherwise contributing to a general sense of apathy and helplessness.
There has never been a revolution that ignored the will of the greater public.
One of the key points - both "left" and "right" - CNN & Fox - owned by BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street globalist elite bankers in background, pulling the strings...
Lol
I laughed at the last sentence. Hahaha Good point about getting out of the blue/red hamster wheel.
Thanks, Matthieu!
was about to write something of the kind Mattieu, but you beat me to it. The fact she is wearing 2 masks just places her. I was reading a book that was good until one third in, where they proclaim how off the medical world was, and then said that we should have all worn masks... I don't know if I will continue reading !
I hear you, Ingrid. Living in NYC, I see enough real-life masks so I would also shy away from content that promotes this madness.
It took me a while to understand the degree to which activism is/has been captured by people who are intensely interested in their parochial status games and not so interested in enduring political realities.
You're not alone, my friend. 😕
In hindsight, I didn't want to know. I was hoping that there was something, some social good, with sufficient innate power to foster and—if necessary—enforce enlightenment. In other words, I was looking for magic...
I hear you, loud and clear. But, for the record, I fully believe magic exists...but it is mostly self-generated.
I've been thinking about this thread. I used the word "magic" in a derogatory sense, but reflection suggests a basic misunderstanding on my part. There is a Dao, a rhythm of life, which many people would consider magic—and they would be right to do so. Thanks for provoking some thought on this, Mickey!
😇
I've been a conservative for most of my life. My first job after college was as an aide to Rudy Giuliani on his first mayoral campaign. I've been obsessed with history going back even further, when I stumbled upon "I, Claudius" on PBS in the mid-70s. I have to tell you, the fanaticism bubbling up now on both fringes is comparable to Weimar Germany in the early 30s. Or, if you prefer, America in the late 1850s. Or Rome at the end of the Republic.
Will America go exactly the same way as in the above scenarios? Of course not. As Twain said, history never repeats. BUT it does often rhyme. The rising fanaticism on both extremes has to be taken seriously. America needs a thorough political detox.
Joe, I found myself very much nodding in agreement. Regardless of which "side" people choose (if they feel they must), the extremes have reached a fever pitch of fanaticism. Social media algorithms are designed to foment and sustain such schisms. Fortunately, each of us has the power and ability to choose independent thought.
True. Unfortunately, our independent thoughts and actions are often meaningless in the context of a nation of 330 million souls. Especially when that nation is on the verge of tearing itself apart.
Thomas Paine had the right idea. I'd change a few words to make it more relevant to the current crisis. "Tyranny" becomes "Tribalism." "Freedom" becomes "The Republic."
To quote Paine:
"These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. ...”
“I call not upon a few, but upon all: not on this state or that state, but on every state: up and help us; lay your shoulders to the wheel; better have too much force than too little, when so great an object is at stake. Let it be told to the future world, that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive, that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet and to repulse it.”
I can't trust anyone who shouts Trump! Trump! Trump! but not Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!
Nor can I trust anyone who shouts Hillary! Hillary! Hillary! but not Trump! Trump! Trump!
Nor can I trust anyone who thinks protest is effective as a partisan thing. Good for massaging your self righteousness I suppose, but otherwise contributing to a general sense of apathy and helplessness.
There has never been a revolution that ignored the will of the greater public.
(New subscriber. Found your site via Sage Hana.)
Welcome, William...and thanks for the cogent comment!
P.S. I'm not sure who Sage Hana is...
https://sagehana.substack.com/
Crazy in the best kind of way, and generating quite a conversation.
Thanks for the suggestion!
One of the key points - both "left" and "right" - CNN & Fox - owned by BlackRock, Vanguard, State Street globalist elite bankers in background, pulling the strings...
Bingo.