tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post3841649823199663206..comments2024-03-18T21:33:35.309-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Defending Greatness while Defending Against the GreatGagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-56794381301128287072009-10-14T10:45:04.744-07:002009-10-14T10:45:04.744-07:00And no he didn't say all that, it was my subti...And no he didn't say all that, it was my subtitle interpretation of face + some 'aww' 's. <br /><br />Anyway...Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900344453710081874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-90446631709429567842009-10-14T10:38:24.963-07:002009-10-14T10:38:24.963-07:00And I think emotionally he liked the idea but also...And I think emotionally he liked the idea but also conceptually thought it was cute and warm and fuzzy. Because people would be coming together and cuddling. Sort of a 'cuddle don't bomb', or these days, 'cuddle don't warm the planet' kind of thing. Or something.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900344453710081874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-23707066717795469662009-10-14T10:25:24.344-07:002009-10-14T10:25:24.344-07:00Van said...
"...allows you to behave as if c...Van said...<br /><br />"...allows you to behave as if complete strangers are appropriate people to get in intimate contact with and behave as if an actual basis in history and actual feelings existed there?"<br /><br />Oddly enough, I was talking to one of my card-carrying lefty acquaintances last night and I mentioned Cuddle Parties, kind of in an assumptive mode at how silly it seems. His face immediately lit up almost as if to genuinely say "Really? Those exist? Where? Maybe there's hope." I switched gears from joking about it and asked if people are that detached, and he said in a quick affirmative tone with a small gasp, "Yes". I wonder if materialist politics leads to isolation, or it could be local to his case. But his response, given the fact that we usually disagree about the state of the world - politics, economics, yea, life in general - was interesting. <br /><br />It had me thinking kind of along the lines of what Julie said (I just got to that comment after writing the above paragraph) in the previous comment. This guy's dating views are messed up as well, because he has no spiritual basis or direction for it. <br /><br />Following the conversation about Cuddle Parties he brought up and gave a full-hearted endorsement of Michael Moore's new movie that he just had just seen.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900344453710081874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-47251439274630102552009-10-13T20:43:16.073-07:002009-10-13T20:43:16.073-07:00Van,
What kind of deadness exists...
I can't ...Van,<br /><i>What kind of deadness exists...</i><br /><br />I can't help thinking it is connected, the flipside of the coin perhaps, to the world described <a href="http://reversecowgirlblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/they-shoot-porn-stars-dont-they.html" rel="nofollow">here</a>. (The essay in the first link is the interesting part, but in a horrifying train wreck sort of way. Also, very very graphic, which is why I'm not linking directly to it. I got there via Instapundit.)<br /><br />The behaviors are opposites in one sense, but still they express a serious disconnect between physical and emotional closeness. I can't help wondering if overexposure to the porn side contributes to the excessive physical neediness of the cuddling side. <br /><br />Or, maybe I'm just talking out the wrong side again, that's always a possibility...juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-62326656721093306842009-10-13T18:26:18.738-07:002009-10-13T18:26:18.738-07:00Aside from those cuddle scenes being the perfect s...Aside from those cuddle scenes being the perfect setting to stage a Freddy Krueger revival... I've got to wonder....<br /><br />What kind of deadness exists... what absolute zero comprehension of real affection and closeness, allows you to behave as if complete strangers are appropriate people to get in intimate contact with and behave <i>as if</i> an actual basis in history and actual feelings existed there?<br /><br />Creepy in the extreme.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-75897137220948962372009-10-13T18:04:36.509-07:002009-10-13T18:04:36.509-07:00In passing:
LA Times: Faith and Belief: 'The ...In passing:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/arts/la-ca-karen-armstrong11-2009oct11,0,4977378.story" rel="nofollow">LA Times: Faith and Belief: 'The Evolution of God' by Robert Wright and 'The Case for God' by Karen Armstrong</a>Stephen Macdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474300559219020772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-73313408668445370102009-10-13T17:31:02.171-07:002009-10-13T17:31:02.171-07:00Okay, to make up for the disturbing imagery, how a...Okay, to make up for the disturbing imagery, how about <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_uss_new_york" rel="nofollow">this</a>? Now that's a picture to warm the cockles of the heart.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-72374385175782147282009-10-13T17:28:10.318-07:002009-10-13T17:28:10.318-07:00Anna -
JUST as I was about to write that it's...Anna - <br /><i>JUST as I was about to write that it's all heart-melt in the comments to your blog!</i><br /><br />:D<br /><br />That's different, you guys are all practically family. And some of those <i>were</i> family. <br /><br />But as far as the physical touchy-feely stuff goes, kids, dogs and DH may get as close as they please, and friends and family are welcome to hugs. But strangers? Cuddling? Ugh, the horror...juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-71226458480129107222009-10-13T17:16:12.797-07:002009-10-13T17:16:12.797-07:00Last comment, I promise.
"Ralph Childs, a ...Last comment, I promise. <br /><br />"Ralph Childs, a Nashville licensed professional counselor, isn't a fan either. His advice: Don't cuddle with strangers." <br /><br />Don't take candy from strangers, and don't cuddle with strangers either. How basic do things need to get??Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900344453710081874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-50899792394216673312009-10-13T17:11:46.480-07:002009-10-13T17:11:46.480-07:00Even creepier:
"In fact, Grupke said, some p...Even creepier:<br /><br />"In fact, Grupke said, some people go just to practice saying no."<br /><br />Okay anyway...Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900344453710081874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-31847544600645384052009-10-13T17:11:05.882-07:002009-10-13T17:11:05.882-07:00Julie,
As one porcupine to another, I'm with ...Julie,<br /><br />As one porcupine to another, I'm with you. Creepy.debasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546940741042023260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-16590295449188355192009-10-13T17:09:42.926-07:002009-10-13T17:09:42.926-07:00And, "...a Cuddle Party facilitator."
T...And, "...a Cuddle Party facilitator."<br /><br />Too much.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900344453710081874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-65249361681716957102009-10-13T17:07:38.676-07:002009-10-13T17:07:38.676-07:00"That's where Cuddle Parties come in. For..."That's where Cuddle Parties come in. For the uninitiated, these are basically pajama parties where you cuddle with strangers in a non-sexual way."<br /><br /><br />That's disgusting.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900344453710081874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-64040001236339201622009-10-13T17:05:25.143-07:002009-10-13T17:05:25.143-07:00Julie,
Ah man, JUST as I was about to write that ...Julie,<br /><br />Ah man, JUST as I was about to write that it's all heart-melt in the comments to your blog! Oh great... Well I guess I'll hold my tongue. Oops... I guess I didn't. What's really funny is that in my haste as I looked at the link and clicked back, I thought it said in the Middle East!! The mental images of that for a minute were very interesting. I clicked again and stood corrected - TENNESSEE. Okay.Annahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16900344453710081874noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-5862119689970110152009-10-13T17:05:04.713-07:002009-10-13T17:05:04.713-07:00blink
omg
apocalypse might be preferable.blink<br /><br />omg<br /><br />apocalypse might be preferable.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-87045301403503869862009-10-13T17:03:20.233-07:002009-10-13T17:03:20.233-07:00Julie said "That's one thing that sets th...Julie said "That's one thing that sets the tea party protests apart, I think. They're not calling for death and violence, they just want America back."<br /><br />Julie and Debass, you guys saw the Washington D.C. aftermath pictures comparing the Inaugural, and the Tea Party marches, right? The 'love humanity' crowd left a sea of trash behind... the 'angry biter clingers' left little sign that they'd ever even been there.<br /><br />Says a lot about the heart of each.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-27823065300735948802009-10-13T16:51:45.121-07:002009-10-13T16:51:45.121-07:00Off topic, what in the name of all that is holy is...Off topic, <i>what in the name of all that is holy is this country coming to?!?</i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.tennessean.com/article/20091012/FEATURES01/910120311/Cuddle+Parties+bring+good+vibes+to+Middle+Tennessee" rel="nofollow">Just had to ask</a>. Speaking as someone who is about as approachable and affectionate as a porcupine, with a couple of exceptions, this just kind of makes me want to gag.<br /><br />Anyway...juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-15215673615282455542009-10-13T16:35:14.880-07:002009-10-13T16:35:14.880-07:00That's one thing that sets the tea party prote...That's one thing that sets the tea party protests apart, I think. They're not calling for death and violence, they just want America back.juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-36266408260015036522009-10-13T16:23:25.642-07:002009-10-13T16:23:25.642-07:00Julie,
Thanks for the link. I always had a diffic...Julie,<br /><br />Thanks for the link. I always had a difficult time understanding violent peace protesters. The devaluing of life for the cause. I guess I value human life so much that I would never think of doing anything where someone would get hurt. I don't like crowds and am usually dissappointed by people's behavior. There must be a disconnect from reality like people wearing Che t-shirts. I don't get it.debasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546940741042023260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-6812411217857235492009-10-13T15:30:32.875-07:002009-10-13T15:30:32.875-07:00Debass, you make an excellent point. I've live...Debass, you make an excellent point. I've lived <i>within</i> that particular stream of "progress" my whole life, and so it's easy to forget the long-term, often subtle consequences of the things that happened then.<br /><br />But for a more sobering look at some of the fruits of revolution see this post today by Neo: <a href="http://neoneocon.com/2009/10/13/reading-reading-lolita-in-tehran-and-understanding-revolutions/" rel="nofollow">Reading “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” and understanding revolutions</a>juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-42902413260208967452009-10-13T14:08:04.346-07:002009-10-13T14:08:04.346-07:00(hmmm... that looks a bit snippier than intended.....(hmmm... that looks a bit snippier than intended... it just struck me)Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-66611339215075772582009-10-13T14:07:09.954-07:002009-10-13T14:07:09.954-07:001968? 1989? 1870's? I suspect that the real po...1968? 1989? 1870's? I suspect that the real point may be that Greatness, and the effort to undermine it, and the weighty issues involved, is timeless.<br /><br />I just put up <a href="http://blogodidact.blogspot.com/2009/10/louis-lamour-laconic-law-from-cicero-to.html" rel="nofollow">a short post</a>, about my trying last week to escape thinking on weighty matters for awhile, by reading Louis L'amour's Sackett - it laughed at me and whacked me in the head with those Great 'weighty' matters real meaning - and they are timeless.<br /><br />What I thought would be escapist, shoot 'em up fun, turned out to be a Western plot that converts William Blackstone's commentaries on The Law, into a 'real life' plot, as applicable then as now, as are our responsibilities to understand what that greatness really means. At one point, Cowboy Sackett sums up that responsibility admirably,<br /><br /><i>"Only, the way I figure, no man has the right to be ignorant. In a country like this, ignorance is a crime. If a man is going to vote, if he is going to take a part in his country and its government, then it's up to him to understand</i>. "<br /><br />The Truth of the Law, whispered down the ages, from Cicero, to Seneca, to Blackstone, to the Founding Fathers, to a 'fictional' American Cowboy's lips in the 1870's, still sounds the same in 1968, 1989, and 2009... - what we need to do is take less heed of the particulars and particular years involved, and pay more attention to what is driving them. Revolutions in 1776, the 60's, 80's or 00's, will ultimately mean nothing, if we law abiding citizens don't give the Law (in its full meaning) a place to abide and thrive.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-26993633627005564092009-10-13T14:04:33.000-07:002009-10-13T14:04:33.000-07:00Thanks for the Spengler link, Julie. Don’t know ho...Thanks for the Spengler link, Julie. Don’t know how I missed that one.<br />I’d like to read Dr. Bob’s assessment of Spengler’s assessment of …Rickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10589423819039764711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-60514060884115570752009-10-13T13:28:36.481-07:002009-10-13T13:28:36.481-07:00"’68 was a molehill.”
Well, maybe on a world..."’68 was a molehill.”<br /><br />Well, maybe on a world scale, but monumental for the US. We still have the traitor Hanoi Jane running around free. War criminal and traitor John Kerry almost became Pres. A man who voted to defund the war in Vietnam, leading to the deaths of 2 million people is now Vice Pres.<br />We won every battle in Vietnam but were told we were losing by Walter Crankcase, forever changing the way news is reported by the leftists in the media. Our education system and lamestream media has been taken over by the left making it a propaganda wing of the left. Watching the left do the same to Afghanistan as they did to Vietnam seems like '68 all over again. <br />Having watched my freedom and liberty slowly eroded over time, 1968 means a lot to me.debasshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13546940741042023260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-48270883856067002022009-10-13T13:04:39.250-07:002009-10-13T13:04:39.250-07:00Given the shapers of our culture's minds, is i...Given the shapers of our culture's minds, is it any wonder anniversaries <a href="http://reason.com/archives/2009/10/12/the-unknown-war" rel="nofollow">such as this</a> are glossed over?<br /><br />And speaking of the diabolical elevation of the trivial and trivialization of greatness:<br /><br /><i>The consensus Year of Revolution for most of our lifetimes has been 1968, with its political assassinations, its Parisian protests, and a youth-culture rebellion that the baby boomers will never tire of telling us about. But as the preeminent modern Central European historian Timothy Garton Ash wrote in a 2008 essay, 1989 “ended communism in Europe, the Soviet empire, the division of Germany, and an ideological and geopolitical struggle…that had shaped world politics for half a century. It was, in its geopolitical results, as big as 1945 or 1914. By comparison, ’68 was a molehill.” </i>juliehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15975754287030568726noreply@blogger.com