Have you read Rick Richman's post on the Inaugural address? You should. In the course of it, Rick refers and/or links to John Kennedy, Natan Sharansky, Dostoevsky, a book by James Billington (the current Librarian of Congress) and a presentation to the Council on Foreign Relations by David Makovsky, senior fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy. He draws into the discussion current events in Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iraq and the disputed territories of Israel.
I take the breadth of his reading, knowlege and intellectual curiosity for granted (well, almost) and look to see the direction of his thoughts. He's optimistic. I'm glad. I'm glad because Rick's optimism would never be random or superficial, but has a far-reaching intellectual foundation. As I've said so many times, he is especially "discerning" -- that's why I always read his blog.
I'm not just complimenting a friend here, I'm (eventually) making a point. This evening I came across a contrast - an extremely random and obviously quite liberal blogger who also meant to offer commentary on the Inaugural address.
His post is titled Understanding the Inagural (sic) Address --but there is no evidence of any attempt to understand, no evidence of the faintest curiosity. The blogger's comments, italicized and interspersed within the text of a transcript, are limited to unfounded accusations, ad hominem attacks and other fallacious exertions.
For instance, at the point where the President said, "We are led, by events and common sense ..." the blogger inserts: "Does he understand what common sense is? Has he ever heard of Thomas Paine?" This seems intended to remark that the President is not intelligent or not well educated or simply a country bumpkin.
All the blogger's "commentary" is like this -- nothing to advance our thinking or the public discourse. No new information. I find it increasingly upsetting that the rhetoric coming from the left is so stunted, so uninvigorated and uninspired. So empty ... of everything but malice.
It's actually funny that our blognik should choose to mention Paine, whose pamphlet, titled Common Sense, was composed in common language, addressed to the common people, and called for an end to tyranny... "Because the longer it is delayed the harder it will be to accomplish."
I think Paine would have appreciated Pres. Bush, for he once said,
"I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles unto death."This from Common Sense (1776) also seems quite relevant today:
"We have it in our power to begin the world over again. A situation, similar to the present, hath not happened since the days of Noah until now.The birthday of a new world is at hand, and a race of men ... are to receive their portion of freedom from the events of a few months.
...how trifling, how ridiculous, do the little paltry cavilings of a few weak or interested men appear, when weighed against the business of a world.
Should we neglect the present favorable and inviting period ... we must charge the consequence to ourselves, or to those rather whose narrow and prejudiced souls are habitually opposing the measure, without either inquiring or reflecting.
Relevant, and rather damning, I would say, of the "narrow and prejudiced souls" to our Left.
Comments