tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post4038498733275515075..comments2024-03-29T06:03:45.545-07:00Comments on One Cʘsmos: Falling at the Speed of PoliticsGagdad Bobhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14249005793605006679noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-36530080776305969942007-08-14T17:13:00.000-07:002007-08-14T17:13:00.000-07:00"Most human beings do not actually crave liberty. ..."Most human beings do not actually crave liberty. As a matter of fact, history demonstrates the opposite -- that human beings by and large find liberty to be repellant, and much prefer security. This is the difference between classical liberals and contemporary "liberals," "<BR/><BR/>Wasn't it depressing when you first realized that? It sure was for me.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-76881537492817430732007-08-14T03:57:00.000-07:002007-08-14T03:57:00.000-07:00Walt said-"In Apollo 13, when Tom Hanks said, "Hou...Walt said-<BR/>"In Apollo 13, when Tom Hanks said, "Houston, we have a problem," should Ground Control have replied, "Major Tom, you're just SO negative"?? <BR/>No, clear formulations of situations provide a basis for understanding, without which, further actions are sure to be skewed. When Governmental Grand Designs are the actions, we are sure to be screwed."<BR/><BR/>Case in point. Whack! He kicks...he scores!USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-18057706130022861812007-08-14T03:50:00.000-07:002007-08-14T03:50:00.000-07:00Thanks Walt!That one's easy to remember. :^)Thanks Walt!<BR/>That one's easy to remember. :^)USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-71219862239985747292007-08-14T03:49:00.000-07:002007-08-14T03:49:00.000-07:00"As Walt would say, you gotta kick 'em when they'r..."As Walt would say, you gotta kick 'em when they're down."<BR/><BR/>I'm glad I've made an impression on you, Ben.walthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388218390016612051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-14397482126141328332007-08-14T03:37:00.000-07:002007-08-14T03:37:00.000-07:00JWM-Thanks! That was interesting. Hitchens is very...JWM-<BR/>Thanks! That was interesting. <BR/>Hitchens is very slippery during the conversation, and deftly avoids the most pointed questions of David Allen White. <BR/><BR/>Although, to be fair, Mr. White couldn't seem to follow through on some points, and even seems to give Hitchens more credit than he earned.<BR/><BR/>IOW, White got some base hits, but he couldn't score.<BR/>As Walt would say, you gotta kick 'em when they're down.<BR/>Not so much because Hitchens would concede anything, but for the benefit of the listeners.<BR/><BR/>The main problem I have seen in these debates, is that the theologians always try to play Hitchens' game, if you know what I mean. For the most part anyway.<BR/><BR/>Now Bob, I'm sure, would knock Hitchens for a loop, and Hitchens wouldn't know what hit him. <BR/>It wouldn't change Hitchens mind, but it sure would leave him shaken and wondering what the hell happened as Bob pitched a no hitter. :^)<BR/><BR/>Be interesting to hear Bob's take on the debate.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-15574950590443051212007-08-14T03:33:00.000-07:002007-08-14T03:33:00.000-07:00This re-post is loaded with great distinctions, ab...This re-post is loaded with great distinctions, about liberty, and its true nature, and source. Doesn't sound like gloom-and-doom to me. In Apollo 13, when Tom Hanks said, "Houston, we have a problem," should Ground Control have replied, "Major Tom, <I>you're just SO negative"??</I><BR/><BR/>No, clear formulations of situations provide a basis for understanding, without which, further actions are sure to be skewed. When Governmental Grand Designs are the actions, we are sure to be <I>screwed.</I><BR/><BR/>I wonder if Father Rose died still believing his 4 steps to be accurate, and in-process? Did he posit a solution to the problem?walthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388218390016612051noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-47922252563764381382007-08-14T03:28:00.000-07:002007-08-14T03:28:00.000-07:00Come to think of it, I never knew Roosevelt was a ...Come to think of it, I never knew Roosevelt was a commie. In the history books he is the great hero who singlehandedly saved the world from the Great Depression.<BR/><BR/>Live and learn, I guess.Magnus Itlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18445902788427523461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-42865176379435726212007-08-14T00:28:00.000-07:002007-08-14T00:28:00.000-07:00the dope's nose said... "Well, I for one don't buy...the dope's nose said... <BR/>"Well, I for one don't buy in to Bob's gloomin' and doomin'. 'Tis a marvelous time we live in, and lefties do not spoil the soup, thank you very much."<BR/><BR/>No, lefties only ensure that the soup is unaffordable, after they tax you into poverty.<BR/><BR/>Have you ever had "free" lefty soup, supplied by Big Sister?<BR/>It sucks. <BR/><BR/>Oh sure, you can "live" on it, if you want to call that living, but you'll never be free, and you'll never be happy, and the "soup" will still taste like crap.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-37065712664103102232007-08-14T00:18:00.000-07:002007-08-14T00:18:00.000-07:00"Roosevelt argued that this actually meant somethi..."Roosevelt argued that this actually meant something new and entirely unprecedented, that is, "economic security, social security, moral security.""<BR/><BR/>IMO, "moral security" is the most inane of the insane "securities" that FDR promised.<BR/><BR/>"Moral security", which is impossible for government to enforce, only results in a perverted "immoral insecurity" that's relative to whoever happens to be in power.<BR/> <BR/>It's definitely the most insane idea that FDR had, but it makes all the other insane ideas he had possible, as we have seen.<BR/><BR/>Anyone who strives to attain to the highest moral standards of God, who has even an inkling of Truth, Goodness and Beauty, would be disgusted by any of FDR's insidious "I-deals".<BR/><BR/>Our Founding Fathers would've tarred and feathered FDR and banished him from America, along with all the other "loyalists".<BR/><BR/>I would venture to say that FDR is one of the worst Presidents we have ever had, because his Faustian Deal wrapped in "feel good" rhetoric, has done untold damage to the US and the world.<BR/><BR/>And the last four decades or so is only a taste of the death and decay that socialism will bring.<BR/><BR/>All the more reason for Classic Liberals, Conservatives, Federalists and Jacksonians, to step up and fight this evil virus masquerading as a vaccine.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-72243592815505528122007-08-13T23:45:00.000-07:002007-08-13T23:45:00.000-07:00"One issue that I was very wrong about was that of..."One issue that I was very wrong about was that of “liberty.” This is such a transcendent spiritual value for me, that I mistakenly believed that it was implanted into the bosom of man, and that it was only for us to remove the obstacles -- say, in Iraq, or San Francisco -- and watch liberty blossom."<BR/><BR/>Actually, there's probably a better chance of liberty blossoming in Iraq than in <BR/>San Francisco.<BR/>At least the Kurds seemed to have adjusted well to liberty, or are at least moving in that direction.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-88054676101100769442007-08-13T23:02:00.000-07:002007-08-13T23:02:00.000-07:00Cosanostradamus-If he's lucky, some Canadian snowg...Cosanostradamus-<BR/>If he's lucky, some Canadian snowgeese will break his fall. <BR/>At least they might have enough to bury, then.USS Ben USN (Ret)https://www.blogger.com/profile/07492369604790651538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-42940601699571764032007-08-13T22:52:00.000-07:002007-08-13T22:52:00.000-07:00Ximeze said- "Oooooh: another reason to hate the F...Ximeze said- <BR/>"Oooooh: another reason to hate the French.<BR/>Pow pow pow: gun the Frog bastard down."<BR/><BR/>Aye, Lass!<BR/>I couldn't say it any better myself!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-45607814744698191132007-08-13T21:34:00.000-07:002007-08-13T21:34:00.000-07:00Well, I for one don't buy in to Bob's gloomin' and...Well, I for one don't buy in to Bob's gloomin' and doomin'. 'Tis a marvelous time we live in, and lefties do not spoil the soup, thank you very much.<BR/><BR/>Many of us are quite religious, prefering some form of Buddhism in most cases.<BR/><BR/>Hitchens aside (and we don't buy into Hitchens as much as you think we do) God is alive and well on the left.<BR/><BR/>Probably not something you want to hear, but there it is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-32916169402995194642007-08-13T20:21:00.000-07:002007-08-13T20:21:00.000-07:00"How are you today, my little smart aleck?," mutte..."How are you today, my little smart aleck?," muttered Raynbald Ferland to a trembling raccoon"<BR/><BR/>Oooooh: another reason to hate the French.<BR/>Pow pow pow: gun the Frog bastard down. <BR/><BR/>Want to swipe that cool drawing. Like it as much as the head-in-peanutbutter-jar one on Ricky's site.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-32051656976438667952007-08-13T20:14:00.000-07:002007-08-13T20:14:00.000-07:00Bob,I'd be curious what most non-religious classic...Bob,<BR/><BR/>I'd be curious what most non-religious classical liberals really think about the mentions of the Creator in the Declaration of Independence. Given the increasing stridency of atheism along with the specter of Islam, is agnosticism really an option any more?vogzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04777803276210863997noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-54950512643252451792007-08-13T20:01:00.000-07:002007-08-13T20:01:00.000-07:00Odorous sardine and marshmallow bait! Discerning ...Odorous sardine and marshmallow bait! <BR/><BR/>Discerning coonsters wearing six shooters will not be enticed.<BR/><BR/>Cool alert Smoov.Mizz Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02325435271880036807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-77398680874076477012007-08-13T18:56:00.000-07:002007-08-13T18:56:00.000-07:00I am simply dumbstruck!Not to mention apoplectic a...I am simply dumbstruck!<BR/><BR/>Not to mention apoplectic and vibrating uncontrollably!!<BR/><BR/>See for yourselves:<BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.instapunk.com/archives/InstaPunkArchiveV2.php3?a=1104" REL="nofollow">Scandalous!!</A>Stephen Macdonaldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13474300559219020772noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-89257642903127060402007-08-13T16:42:00.000-07:002007-08-13T16:42:00.000-07:00Slightly OT, but relevant:Hugh Hewitt has posted a...Slightly OT, but relevant:<BR/><BR/>Hugh Hewitt has posted a transcript of a discussion between David Allen White, and Christopher Hitchens on the effect of the Church on civilization. Very good stuff. The link is with the "Hitchens on Al qaida" story.<BR/><BR/>www.hughhewitt.com<BR/><BR/>JWMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-78911312849697540622007-08-13T14:50:00.000-07:002007-08-13T14:50:00.000-07:00"Rose saw our descent as happening in four stages ...<I>"Rose saw our descent as happening in four stages that he called 1) liberalism, 2) realism, 3) vitalism, and 4) destruction."</I> <BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/worldnews.html?in_article_id=474879&in_page_id=1811" REL="nofollow">Or, per one man who plans to make it personal</A>, <BR/><BR/>1) Hey! I have a great idea!<BR/>2) Damn, it's cold up here!<BR/>3) My name's in the record books!<BR/>4) Splat!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-91959034602514758452007-08-13T13:14:00.000-07:002007-08-13T13:14:00.000-07:00If the government cannot guarantee that I will be ...If the government cannot guarantee that I will be alive in five minutes time how can it guarantee anything else? If it cannot guarantee a harvest, how can it guarantee food? All the government can do is make it possible for us to do ourselves. Positive liberties only destroy our freedom.shoprathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05265612188236394307noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-87130166846368145462007-08-13T11:54:00.000-07:002007-08-13T11:54:00.000-07:00. . .most of us -- half of us, anyway -- well, in ...<I>. . .most of us -- half of us, anyway -- well, in the United States, at least -- I mean, <B>for the time being </B>-- outgrow this wishful thinking. </I><BR/><BR/>The secular culture that has drifted beyond the pale grows day by day. If we elect a Dem prez in 2008, the victory of relativism will be at hand and that is precisely why Pope Benedict has made defending the Christian Truth his central mission and one that we must too.Mizz Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02325435271880036807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-54688078293783481622007-08-13T10:33:00.000-07:002007-08-13T10:33:00.000-07:00The low fertility in Europe is a complex problem. ...The low fertility in Europe is a complex problem. (Of course, not all consider it a problem: Some see it as a shining example to the world. This would make a lot more sense if it was not motivated by selfishness in the first place.)<BR/><BR/>One would expect the largely post-Christian Nordic countries to be almost devoid of children, whereas the Catholic south should follow the fecund papal doctrine. But in practice, Latin Europe is headed for a rapid extinction, compared to a slow one up here.<BR/><BR/>I can't help but think it must be disheartening for the Pope to look at the charts and realize that his flock habitually act on the assumption that he is just an old man with a funny hat.Magnus Itlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18445902788427523461noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-83941697992589500232007-08-13T10:30:00.000-07:002007-08-13T10:30:00.000-07:00Hmm, as I recall, the writer of Spengler's Future ...Hmm, as I recall, the writer of Spengler's Future said of the West that it's good nature was that of Arthur, and its ill that of Faust. Arthur is laissez faire, just, kind, strong, ambitious, but not particularly worldly. Faust is mad with power, authoritarian, inhuman, and destroys himself slowly to become a god. <BR/><BR/>More or less.<BR/><BR/>His prediction was that the 'Faustian Bargain' was precisely what would undo the West. It occurs to me that a similar option has been available quite perennially for westerners; that is, to trust in the Knowledge of Man over the Knowledge of God. Which is to say, to try to supplant God with Man. Past civilizations had not as much success in cultivating and using worldly knowledge, and it is precisely this reason why the West becomes convinced that it knows everything by that means.<BR/><BR/>As for Liberty/Security, it is the essence of man to be free, but it is the fallen nature to desire security. Security in this sense being a warping of God's image; man wants 'security' for externalities so he may be 'free' in the way he desires, and ONLY in that way. Liberty is scary. <BR/><BR/>It is interesting that language works the same way; it is both liberty (freedom to think and create) but also a prison (think of language barriers, or forceful indoctrination.)<BR/><BR/>Security or liberty? Liberty always, but what kind is in question.<BR/><BR/>Since liberty has a goal, I would say two things: One- to achieve my earthly purpose, and two, to climb the Ladder of Divine Graces. <BR/><BR/>Without which, as you have said, liberty is mere license. And perhaps that is the core of our modern security crisis: men no longer know the purpose for liberty outside of a very narrow conception: Retirement, travel, entertainment, recreation, sex, wealth, power.<BR/><BR/>Without the restoration of the purpose of liberty it would be pointless to lead the horse to water. It is like leading the man who hates God to the throne: God is love, but the man's hatred sets his face against his creator. It would be better to be a blade of grass than a man on that day...Ephrem Antony Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00032465992619034619noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-4613044008827122752007-08-13T10:13:00.000-07:002007-08-13T10:13:00.000-07:00Today's other piece on AT was also excellent- of c...Today's other piece on AT was also excellent- of course I thought of G-Bob while reading both.Salhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13201226644704622876noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8580258.post-50378872310437751322007-08-13T08:43:00.000-07:002007-08-13T08:43:00.000-07:00Gagster,As always, an insightful post. A great rec...Gagster,<BR/><BR/>As always, an insightful post. <BR/><BR/>A great recent example of the leftist perpetual-opposition mentality at its most mindlessly vicious (or viciously mindless) is <A HREF="http://www.captainsquartersblog.com/mt/archives/011065.php" REL="nofollow">this Blogosphere-activated scandal</A>. I took particular interest in it since I've known the perpetrator for over fifteen years, and the actions fit his personality and habits perfectly. <BR/><BR/>Snide fortysomething-adolescent that he is, he's no dummy, so I'm wondering why he made the fatal mistake of attaching his home address and other easily traceable personal information to the scam. Is there possibly an unconscious desire to be caught and/or punished happening here? What say you, Dr. Godwin?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com