tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post2328273856686640525..comments2024-03-28T12:10:26.197-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Occidents Don't Just HappenGagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-8697396050047727932007-10-17T10:56:00.000-07:002007-10-17T10:56:00.000-07:00Thanks VanThanks VanAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-566557470287807442007-10-16T19:36:00.000-07:002007-10-16T19:36:00.000-07:00Joseph,I never meant to actually pair you with cho...Joseph,<BR/><BR/>I never meant to actually pair <I>you</I> with chomsky, sorry about that - a poor choice of wording.<BR/><BR/>"A conservative, or classical liberal, would never undermine his economy by becoming completely dependant on a product he could not readily produce himself.<BR/>We are where we are, but let's don't pretend its where the founders would have been."<BR/><BR/>Not a pretense I'd make either.<BR/><BR/>"I happen to find it useful, even if only theoretically, and illuminating to attempt to trace that trajectory from them to us."<BR/><BR/>And well worth examining - almost a necessity for anyone seeking to understand what a Classical Liberal is, and was.<BR/><BR/>"On that note, I've been watching, with my children, a dramatization of the constitutional convention called, "A More Perfect Union". I highly recommend it."<BR/><BR/>I haven't come across that one, but there is an audio recording of "Miracle at Philadelphia" which is thoroughly enjoyable.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-43187657123459317812007-10-16T11:39:00.000-07:002007-10-16T11:39:00.000-07:00Well, I guess it is a compliment of sorts to be mi...Well, I guess it is a compliment of sorts to be mistaken for the Cosmic Swede (or the other way around).Magnus Itlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18445902788427523461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-57473443047994583192007-10-16T11:26:00.000-07:002007-10-16T11:26:00.000-07:00I think the effect of Saudi wealth and ideology is...I think the effect of Saudi wealth and ideology is greatly underestimated. There exist moderate forms of Islam in the world--Albania, for example. Even Turkey is relatively moderate. It is the Saudis, primarily, that fund and promote global jihad. The Saudis were a zero set before we began our relationship with them. Recently we sold them weapons, and their influence on our politics is deep and astounding.<BR/>Now, if those facts should somehow dovetail, accidentally, with Chomsky's ideas, it should be known that I categorically reject his ideology.<BR/>I am not at all suggesting that, today, if we stopped buying Saudi or Middle Eastern oil terrorism would vanish. I am referring to neo-marxist ideology that helped to bring us to this point in the first place. A conservative, or classical liberal, would never undermine his economy by becoming completely dependant on a product he could not readily produce himself. <BR/>We are where we are, but let's don't pretend its where the founders would have been. I happen to find it useful, even if only theoretically, and illuminating to attempt to trace that trajectory from them to us.<BR/>On that note, I've been watching, with my children, a dramatization of the constitutional convention called, "A More Perfect Union". I highly recommend it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-88818464282061716592007-10-16T02:27:00.000-07:002007-10-16T02:27:00.000-07:00Yes, a lot of great comments (James, Julie, Van an...Yes, a lot of great comments (James, Julie, Van and others) on this one!<BR/><BR/>No hard feelings for the mix up with Magnus :)<BR/><BR/>The major conclusion must be that bad metaphysics and natural resources is a very bad combination. <BR/><BR/>USS Ben:<BR/>"blood, sweat and tears to engage Reality"<BR/><BR/>And this correlates to Intuition, Vision, and Inspiration to engage spirituality (which is reality) (thanks, Unknown Friend for revealing this wisdom for me)Johanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16987600170147540619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-1390213840128723212007-10-15T23:50:00.000-07:002007-10-15T23:50:00.000-07:00And what River Cocytus and Rick said!S'O there! :^...And what River Cocytus and Rick said!<BR/>S'O there! :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-54113867588829155372007-10-15T23:47:00.000-07:002007-10-15T23:47:00.000-07:00Heh! What Robin said!Good to hear from you Stu!And...Heh! What Robin said!<BR/><BR/>Good to hear from you Stu!<BR/><BR/>And what Van said!USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-72245706083725183682007-10-15T22:22:00.000-07:002007-10-15T22:22:00.000-07:00Vote early! Vote often!Vote early! Vote often!robinstarfishhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15665546554663005609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-9870556792191181592007-10-15T21:39:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:39:00.000-07:00Ben said "I concur, Stu!However, it is refreshing ...Ben said "<BR/>I concur, Stu!<BR/><BR/>However, it is refreshing to hear from Joseph and James, with a mixed but honestly put forth, bag of ideas.<BR/><BR/>You guys keep us on our toes in a non-trollish manner, and I appreciate that. :^)"<BR/><BR/>Same what Ben said.<BR/><BR/>(Stu!)Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-89778489394290247482007-10-15T21:36:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:36:00.000-07:00Johan said:"Can you therefore blame the oil for th...Johan said:<BR/>"Can you therefore blame the oil for the Middle East muslims failure(s)? I guess not, but maybe you can say it's part of the explanation. All (or almost all) countries that have large oil (or natural gas) findings have a tendency to fall into the hands of dictatorship and barbary (Russia is going there, Venzuela is there already). Isn't there a pattern here? These countries, blessed with these gifts, seems to draw corrupt and populistic politicians to them. Like a bear to honey. Can it be that when countries don't have to rely on real development, driven by real economics, they become lazy? Both in body and mind as in spirit."<BR/><BR/>I agree, Johan. <BR/>Certainly when countries, and individuals I would add, don't have to produce any real effort, as in blood, sweat and tears, to engage Reality, we end up with major corruption!USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-15101735938171636522007-10-15T21:29:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:29:00.000-07:00Time, dammit! 'Bout time!Stupid finger!Time, dammit! 'Bout time!<BR/>Stupid finger!USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-14075371580540910692007-10-15T21:28:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:28:00.000-07:00Aww c'mon you guys and gals! Let's get out the vot...Aww c'mon you guys and gals! <BR/>Let's get out the vote for Bob's tremendouslyiffic blog!<BR/>"Bout timee he won an award, I say!<BR/>Don't make me pull rank! :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-38957649091832964862007-10-15T21:20:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:20:00.000-07:00Stuart said... "Joseph,I don't believe reducing ou...Stuart said... <BR/>"Joseph,<BR/><BR/>I don't believe reducing our dependence on Islamic oil will do much to cull hateful Islamic ideologies. In fact, I don't think it is a matter of funding at all."<BR/><BR/>I concur, Stu!<BR/><BR/>However, it is refreshing to hear from Joseph and James, with a mixed but honestly put forth, bag of ideas.<BR/><BR/>You guys keep us on our toes in a non-trollish manner, and I appreciate that. :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-71189445236089222312007-10-15T21:14:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:14:00.000-07:00Alright Nomo...no need to be cryptic,,,you are amo...Alright Nomo...no need to be cryptic,,,you are among friends here...<BR/><BR/>Whatchoo talkin' 'bout?USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-13300266758174977502007-10-15T21:12:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:12:00.000-07:00Anonymous said... They hint they have a problem wi...Anonymous said... <BR/>They hint they have a problem with political blogs, and judging from this blog it is at least as political as religious, if not more political.<BR/><BR/>Okay, back to the end of the line. <BR/>Yes, it's time to re-read all of Bob's posts.<BR/>Hey, I'm doin' you a favor!<BR/>Yes, time to do some reading.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-36574823055896279032007-10-15T21:10:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:10:00.000-07:00Robin - I have the Answer, but I'm not telling...i...Robin - I have the Answer, but I'm not telling...it's just too dangerous.<BR/><BR/>wv: aimxrsxz (I kid you not)NoMohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01100042056270224683noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-59571692522697078192007-10-15T21:09:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:09:00.000-07:00Great! Great sense of humor! Sheesh!Great! Great sense of humor! <BR/>Sheesh!USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-79482484395602251462007-10-15T21:07:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:07:00.000-07:00Van said... Julie said... "You make a good observa...Van said... <BR/>Julie said... "You make a good observation, Magnus"<BR/><BR/>Heh - Magnus, Johan - Norwegian, Sweede, yeah, they all type alike.<BR/><BR/>DUCK!!!<BR/><BR/>;-)<BR/><BR/><BR/>You didn't! Thank God Magnus and Johan have a greay sense of humor!<BR/><BR/>Right guys? Right? :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-13232266961437381102007-10-15T21:03:00.000-07:002007-10-15T21:03:00.000-07:00So many excellent comments today!Julie said:"If I ...So many excellent comments today!<BR/><BR/>Julie said:<BR/>"If I could have one wish granted, it would not be for world peace (which would likely result in universal death), but rather world Liberty, based upon the same principles this country was founded on."<BR/><BR/>And for that enormous phrase of Wisdom, I nominate Julie as the MVP in today's/tonight's discussion!<BR/><BR/>That is the crux of Bob's post, as I see it. <BR/><BR/>Is America further away from our founding metaphysic principles?<BR/><BR/>Yes, we are. <BR/><BR/>However, our Military continues to draw new recruits who believe just as Julie believes, and just as all Raccoons believe:<BR/>Liberty IS the POINT!<BR/><BR/>Obviously, these new recruits, and those that reenlist, for the most part, and I mean, the vast majority, believe that tenant of faith, if you will, which is to say the Reality and Truth of the matter.<BR/><BR/>They are who and what defines our country, and they are who and what define the Spirit of our Founding Fathers (and vice versa).<BR/><BR/>As long as we have such men and women of Honor, there is Hope! <BR/><BR/>Outstanding post, Bob! <BR/>Thanks for (once again) defining the problems and solutions!<BR/><BR/>And thank you Julie, for the outstanding summary! Your COOnvision is right on!USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-30701651488988209372007-10-15T20:25:00.000-07:002007-10-15T20:25:00.000-07:00Julie said... "You make a good observation, Magnus...Julie said... "You make a good observation, Magnus"<BR/><BR/>Heh - Magnus, Johan - Norwegian, Sweede, yeah, they all type alike.<BR/><BR/><B><I>DUCK!!!</I></B><BR/><BR/>;-)Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-71198597228913030762007-10-15T20:21:00.000-07:002007-10-15T20:21:00.000-07:00Julie said... "Sorry, for the lengthy comment... "...Julie said... "Sorry, for the lengthy comment... "<BR/><BR/>To which I can only say, Thanks for the lengthy comment - well said.<BR/><BR/>Bummed I missed such a good day at OC.<BR/><BR/>Sigh.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-5013724799184442712007-10-15T20:15:00.000-07:002007-10-15T20:15:00.000-07:00James said "...the left doesn't deal with problems...James said "...the left doesn't deal with problems per se, as much as they want to change everyones meta-physics to make a problem disappear."<BR/><BR/>THere you go! That's been what has made the lefties left since the beginning!<BR/><BR/>They want to convince everyone that metaphysics <I>has</I> changed, so that they can be thought to be other than they are.<BR/><BR/>In a very real sense, they want to overthrow the world, and remake it in their image.<BR/><BR/>wv:gxfpkqho - what biting rotten apples tastes likeVan Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-33515436555861854662007-10-15T20:09:00.000-07:002007-10-15T20:09:00.000-07:00James said "...difficult to change our oil depende...James said "...difficult to change our oil dependence simply because there is so much money involved."<BR/><BR/>Come on guys, that's not the way an economy works. There's so much money there because of the need for oil - not the other way around. If you want to free up the immediate dependence on that source, remove the need to seek so much of it elsewhere, organize to push for repealing the greenie laws that force us from getting oil from our own lands, nuclear power, etc.<BR/><BR/>When a breakthrough comes in batteries or hydrogen, or even the 'burning salt water' story a while back - those damn sheiks will be back to sitting on nothing but smelly deposits again.<BR/><BR/>Money comes from production, not the other way around - no matter how difficult it may become to follow the bread crumbs, that is a metaphysical fact, pretending otherwise is just variations of rube goldberg perpetual motion schemes.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-3523625646198509132007-10-15T20:00:00.000-07:002007-10-15T20:00:00.000-07:00Joseph said "...infused by a powerful religious fa...Joseph said "...infused by a powerful religious fanatacism and funded by oil." <BR/><BR/>Joseph... getting a bit carried away there aren't you? That's an equivocation Chomsky could admire.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-89401518475695486492007-10-15T19:56:00.000-07:002007-10-15T19:56:00.000-07:00"How can men who disagree about what the world is ..."How can men who disagree about what the world is for agree about any of the minutiae of daily conduct?..."<BR/><BR/>That's my favorite Weaver quote... a fitting close to a top notch post.Van Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08470413719262297062noreply@blogger.com