Points to Ponder:
I find myself not just a little confused by the mantras of those who say "we support the troops but oppose the war." I have to wonder if they realize how sophistic this stance really is. For if (i) they believe the war is immoral or evil and (ii) the troops they claim to "support" as a rule{1} believe in what they are fighting and willing to die for and (iii) they claim to support the troops who are fighting in that war, then (iv) they are claiming to "support" people who by an overwhelming majority profess a belief in and willingness to sacrifice themselves for something that they (the antiwar crowd) believes is evil or immoral. In short, their positions are patently illogical and a classic example of sophistic rationale. [I. Shawn McElhinney: Lunchtime Musings on the War circa 7/08/04]
Note:
{1} I realise there are some who do not take this view but from all indications that I have seen thus far, the troop support for what they are doing exceeds those troops who do not endorse what they are doing by at least 3 to 1.
Thursday, July 08, 2004
As We noted earlier, the addition of Debbie Schlussel's website to the Ecumenical Jihad listing was deemed to be the less proper place for categorizing. Instead, due to the predominantly political nature of her material, We decided to reclassify her to the Predominantly Political category and to slightly retitle that category. It now reads Approved* Weblogs and Websites of a Predominantly Political Nature. It also seemed appropriate to add the recently launched weblog of Michelle Malkin to that category as well -based heavily on her precedent for writing thought provoking material.{1}
Oh and lest anyone accuse Us of discrimination by not including women journalists or commentators in Our scroll of recommended links, let this serve to confute that accusation and make known the fact that We have no objections whatsoever to recommending well-reasoned work composed by brainy and beautiful infobabes.{2} Having noted that, We declare by virtue of Our authority that the aforementioned adjustments are hereby promulgated to Rerum Novarum in perpetuity, all things to the contrary notwithstanding.
Notes:
{1} We have followed her since her days as a staff columnist for The Seattle Times. (Followed her work that is.)
{2} That oughta rile the so-called "feminists" a bit :)
Oh and lest anyone accuse Us of discrimination by not including women journalists or commentators in Our scroll of recommended links, let this serve to confute that accusation and make known the fact that We have no objections whatsoever to recommending well-reasoned work composed by brainy and beautiful infobabes.{2} Having noted that, We declare by virtue of Our authority that the aforementioned adjustments are hereby promulgated to Rerum Novarum in perpetuity, all things to the contrary notwithstanding.
Notes:
{1} We have followed her since her days as a staff columnist for The Seattle Times. (Followed her work that is.)
{2} That oughta rile the so-called "feminists" a bit :)
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
A Very Minor Weblog Update:
Some adjustments were made to the template at this weblog a few minutes ago -almost exclusively in the area of adding to the Ecumenical Jihad category. Though there are a few additional sites and weblogs that I am mulling over adding to the scroll of links, the following were added today:
---Debbie Schlussel's Website (Jewish)
---The Catholic Kerry Watch BLOG - Christopher Blosser, Jeff Miller, Oswald Sobrino, Earl A. Appleby, Jamie Blosser
---Christopher Blosser's Watching Michael Moore BLOG
Also restored to the recommended list of catholic weblogs was Alan Phipps' weblog. Somehow it was overlooked when the template was restored last month but it has been readded now.
By virtue of my authority as Sovereign Thane and Lord High Executioner of Rerum Novarum, I declare that these adjustments to said weblog are promulgated in perpetuity all things to the contrary notwithstanding.
[Note: Upon further reflection, as Debbie Schlussel's material is predominantly political and not a hybrid of religious and political material, it properly should be classified with JYB and company. For that reason, it will be reclassified hopefully later today. -ISM 7/8/04 7:30 am]
Some adjustments were made to the template at this weblog a few minutes ago -almost exclusively in the area of adding to the Ecumenical Jihad category. Though there are a few additional sites and weblogs that I am mulling over adding to the scroll of links, the following were added today:
---Debbie Schlussel's Website (Jewish)
---The Catholic Kerry Watch BLOG - Christopher Blosser, Jeff Miller, Oswald Sobrino, Earl A. Appleby, Jamie Blosser
---Christopher Blosser's Watching Michael Moore BLOG
Also restored to the recommended list of catholic weblogs was Alan Phipps' weblog. Somehow it was overlooked when the template was restored last month but it has been readded now.
By virtue of my authority as Sovereign Thane and Lord High Executioner of Rerum Novarum, I declare that these adjustments to said weblog are promulgated in perpetuity all things to the contrary notwithstanding.
[Note: Upon further reflection, as Debbie Schlussel's material is predominantly political and not a hybrid of religious and political material, it properly should be classified with JYB and company. For that reason, it will be reclassified hopefully later today. -ISM 7/8/04 7:30 am]
The readers of this humble weblog may be interested to know that I made some tweaks to the draft of the Reagan book review that I posted earlier on. It now reads on the weblog exactly as it will read when I submit the review tomorrow or so to Amazon.
Points to Ponder:
Difficulties can be solved with philosophy and theology, but in order to "solve" a mystery, it takes obedience and submission. Sometimes, when we ask God questions, He answers with a question, like when He was in the temple, and the way to get the answer is to be silent and let Him come to you...All types of mysteries can only be answered by an abandonment to Christ, letting Christ work through you. [Apolonio Latar III (circa 2/14/04)]
Difficulties can be solved with philosophy and theology, but in order to "solve" a mystery, it takes obedience and submission. Sometimes, when we ask God questions, He answers with a question, like when He was in the temple, and the way to get the answer is to be silent and let Him come to you...All types of mysteries can only be answered by an abandonment to Christ, letting Christ work through you. [Apolonio Latar III (circa 2/14/04)]
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Rev. Michael J. Pahls outlines the fate of slavery in the US if President Lincoln had "thought" on slavery like Kerry does on abortion.
Monday, July 05, 2004
Ronald Reagan - How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader:
(Musings of your humble servant at Rerum Novarum)
[Note: This is thesecond and probably final third and final draft of a review I will be submitting to Amazon.com hopefully later in the week. President Reagan, may you rest in peace - ISM]
*****
One of history's greatest presidents...
...and definitely the best president of the second half of the twentieth century. Dinesh D' Souza would argue that Ronald Reagan was the greatest president of the twentieth century. I would claim a bit less myself: second perhaps to President Roosevelt...and not the President Roosevelt that most people would presume I refer to. But that is neither here nor there.
This book is very compact and seeks to cover a lot of material in a reasonably economical manner. The prologue sets the tone, starting with the manner whereby the Soviet Union was viewed prior to its collapse by the establishment "experts." From there, D' Souza explains why the "wise men" were all wrong and the "dummy" (as the intellectuals viewed Reagan) was right. He also deals with the manner whereby revisionists have sought to paint the USSR's collapse as "inevitable" which is certainly not what these same people were saying at the time. It seems that the approach is say anything except give credit to Reagan for his foresight on this significant issue.
The aforementioned prologue ("The Wise Men and the Dummy") sets the table for the manner whereby the rest of the book unfolds. The topics covered in the work in sequential order are as follows with brief comments from yours truly:
---Why Reagan Gets No Respect.
This chapter outlines well the manner whereby not only the pseudo-"intellectual" elites of the left viewed Reagan but also many hard nosed conservatives of the right (including some of their recognized bigwigs such as George Will and Michael Novak).
---The Education of an Actor.
This chapter is a necessary look into the formation of Reagan's conservative political philosophy as well as the paradigm shift from Roosevelt New Deal supporter to conservative Goldwater-style in his philosophy.
It starts to some extent from his formative years because in order to hope to understand Reagan, one must understand those events which formed the environment which shaped his outlook and convictions. And as Reagan reached his conservative Republican outlook after being born into poverty and living through two world wars, the Great Depression, Korea, the McCarthy era, and the early 1960's, it is important to review this period where his philosophy -which he would refine and deepen in later years- was first set forth in its broad outlines. The chapter ends with Reagan's speech at the 1964 Republican convention: the speech that definitively put him "on the map" for a political career.
---Mr. Reagan Goes To Washington.
This chapter covers the period where Reagan's philosophy received greater deepening and refinement through two terms as governor of California and two significant challenges to the presidency (1976 and 1980). Some may refer to his campaign of 1968 but that was not a serious campaign and Reagan had no chance at the nomination then.
---A Walk on the Supply Side.
If no other chapter in this book was read, this one is essential because it debunks so much of the idiotic myths surrounding Reagan and his role in the increasing deficits of the 1980's.
This chapter outlines an integral part of Reagan's presidential economic plan. It is well worth a read due to the profound ignorance commonly expressed about supply-side policies by historical revisionists and economists too wedded to Keynesian policies: policies which were discredited in the 1970's economic climate by the way.
The reviewer who said that D'Souza "dismisses the massive budget deficits accumulated during the Reagan years" would do well to reread this chapter since the deficit subject is discussed in the context of the Democratic Congress not following through on their promise to cut $3 in spending for every $1 in taxes during the 1982 budget battle. Oliver North was criticized for lying to Congress during Iran-contra but the dishonour Congress brought on themselves in the interim -starting with their broken promises in 1982- made North's actions a venial sin at best.
Those who want to discuss the budget deficits need look no further than here for the reasons. But of course that reviewer is not about to do that because 75% or more of the federal budget is unconstitutional and they are certain to support a fair amount of it. At least Reagan's military spending was constitutional but I digress.
---They Don't Call it Reaganomics Anymore.
This chapter is a good follow-up to the one on supply side economics because it explains the truth behind Reagan's economic policies. In a short phrase: they worked.
---Confronting the Evil Empire.
Picks up and develops what was touched on in the prologue.
---Making the World Safe for Democracy.
In this chapter, D'Souza outlines the principles behind Reagan's approach to totalitarian dictatorships -and the success those policies had throughout the world as dictatorship after dictatorship fell in places such as Central America, South America, Asia, and the Philippines. In this context, Reagan's policy towards Nicaragua and supporting the contras stands out as the brilliant policy that it was. Even Grenada's invasion in 1983 is noted as a significant milestone in foreign policy in that it was the death-knell of the Breshnev Doctrine. Those who are unfamiliar with the latter would do well to read this chapter.
---And the Wall Came Tumbling Down.
Much as the Reagonomics chapter built on the preceding supply side chapter, this one builds on the one that precedes it in dealing with Reagan's skills in negotiating an end to the Cold War. (Through arms reduction treaties and also standing firm against Soviet demands.) This is all material "conveniently" overlooked by modern revisionists. But as "ninety five percent of what is published on all things is hogwash" (A. Jones), this should hardly surprise.
---The Man Behind the Mask.
After dealing with the external effects of Reagan's policies on America and throughout the world, this one seeks to go into the man himself and deal with the many paradoxes that were Reagan. This section is essential for coming close to understanding Ronald Reagan the man.
---Spirit of a Leader.
This chapter deals with Reagan as a leader and also highlights his responses to some of the administrative controversies that occurred in his Administration. Subjects such as PATCO, Lybian jets firing on the USS Nimitz in late 1981, the visiting of the Bitberg cemetery in Germany in 1985, the Lybian bombing of a West Berlin discoteque in 1986 and the US response to it, Iran-contra, and other examples are covered here.
With regards to the latter, D' Souza deals well with Iran-contra. Unfortunately, he did not touch on the 240 odd Marines who died in Lebanon in 1983 as a result of a suicide bomber. Despite the many fabrications and exaggerations often conjured up by Reagan-despising historical revisionists, this was a definite policy blunder and it would have been good to cover here along with some of the others that D'Souza does note. Despite the brevity of this tome, that is not asking too much as it would provide a bit more balance in a work that on the whole is quite vindicating of Reagan's legacy as president and as a man.
---Epilogue: The Road Not Taken.
The epilogue essentially explains why the Republicans have for the most part been floundering without a firm sense of purpose since Reagan left office.
One interesting par of this book is D'Souza's approach which is geared quite obviously to setting the record straight in areas where it is often anything but. To do this, he often follows a pattern of outlining what Reagan's opponents said about his ideas and policies -buttressed with source citations from newspapers and magazines as well as books written by critics or adversaries- and then recounts Reagan's uncanny ability to confute his adversaries again and again. In that sense it reads like an apologetic but, in light of the mountains of lies and distortions that are fed the populace about Reagan and his policies, perhaps that approach is the best way of cutting through the rubbish and focusing on what really happened. (As opposed to what Reagan's opponents wish had happened.)
The subtitle of the paperback is "how an ordinary man became an extraordinary leader." Indeed that is what President Reagan was and no one who approaches the historical record who makes any pretense of objectivity can conclude otherwise. And this book well explains the many reasons why this was so.
(Musings of your humble servant at Rerum Novarum)
[Note: This is the
*****
One of history's greatest presidents...
...and definitely the best president of the second half of the twentieth century. Dinesh D' Souza would argue that Ronald Reagan was the greatest president of the twentieth century. I would claim a bit less myself: second perhaps to President Roosevelt...and not the President Roosevelt that most people would presume I refer to. But that is neither here nor there.
This book is very compact and seeks to cover a lot of material in a reasonably economical manner. The prologue sets the tone, starting with the manner whereby the Soviet Union was viewed prior to its collapse by the establishment "experts." From there, D' Souza explains why the "wise men" were all wrong and the "dummy" (as the intellectuals viewed Reagan) was right. He also deals with the manner whereby revisionists have sought to paint the USSR's collapse as "inevitable" which is certainly not what these same people were saying at the time. It seems that the approach is say anything except give credit to Reagan for his foresight on this significant issue.
The aforementioned prologue ("The Wise Men and the Dummy") sets the table for the manner whereby the rest of the book unfolds. The topics covered in the work in sequential order are as follows with brief comments from yours truly:
---Why Reagan Gets No Respect.
This chapter outlines well the manner whereby not only the pseudo-"intellectual" elites of the left viewed Reagan but also many hard nosed conservatives of the right (including some of their recognized bigwigs such as George Will and Michael Novak).
---The Education of an Actor.
This chapter is a necessary look into the formation of Reagan's conservative political philosophy as well as the paradigm shift from Roosevelt New Deal supporter to conservative Goldwater-style in his philosophy.
It starts to some extent from his formative years because in order to hope to understand Reagan, one must understand those events which formed the environment which shaped his outlook and convictions. And as Reagan reached his conservative Republican outlook after being born into poverty and living through two world wars, the Great Depression, Korea, the McCarthy era, and the early 1960's, it is important to review this period where his philosophy -which he would refine and deepen in later years- was first set forth in its broad outlines. The chapter ends with Reagan's speech at the 1964 Republican convention: the speech that definitively put him "on the map" for a political career.
---Mr. Reagan Goes To Washington.
This chapter covers the period where Reagan's philosophy received greater deepening and refinement through two terms as governor of California and two significant challenges to the presidency (1976 and 1980). Some may refer to his campaign of 1968 but that was not a serious campaign and Reagan had no chance at the nomination then.
---A Walk on the Supply Side.
If no other chapter in this book was read, this one is essential because it debunks so much of the idiotic myths surrounding Reagan and his role in the increasing deficits of the 1980's.
This chapter outlines an integral part of Reagan's presidential economic plan. It is well worth a read due to the profound ignorance commonly expressed about supply-side policies by historical revisionists and economists too wedded to Keynesian policies: policies which were discredited in the 1970's economic climate by the way.
The reviewer who said that D'Souza "dismisses the massive budget deficits accumulated during the Reagan years" would do well to reread this chapter since the deficit subject is discussed in the context of the Democratic Congress not following through on their promise to cut $3 in spending for every $1 in taxes during the 1982 budget battle. Oliver North was criticized for lying to Congress during Iran-contra but the dishonour Congress brought on themselves in the interim -starting with their broken promises in 1982- made North's actions a venial sin at best.
Those who want to discuss the budget deficits need look no further than here for the reasons. But of course that reviewer is not about to do that because 75% or more of the federal budget is unconstitutional and they are certain to support a fair amount of it. At least Reagan's military spending was constitutional but I digress.
---They Don't Call it Reaganomics Anymore.
This chapter is a good follow-up to the one on supply side economics because it explains the truth behind Reagan's economic policies. In a short phrase: they worked.
---Confronting the Evil Empire.
Picks up and develops what was touched on in the prologue.
---Making the World Safe for Democracy.
In this chapter, D'Souza outlines the principles behind Reagan's approach to totalitarian dictatorships -and the success those policies had throughout the world as dictatorship after dictatorship fell in places such as Central America, South America, Asia, and the Philippines. In this context, Reagan's policy towards Nicaragua and supporting the contras stands out as the brilliant policy that it was. Even Grenada's invasion in 1983 is noted as a significant milestone in foreign policy in that it was the death-knell of the Breshnev Doctrine. Those who are unfamiliar with the latter would do well to read this chapter.
---And the Wall Came Tumbling Down.
Much as the Reagonomics chapter built on the preceding supply side chapter, this one builds on the one that precedes it in dealing with Reagan's skills in negotiating an end to the Cold War. (Through arms reduction treaties and also standing firm against Soviet demands.) This is all material "conveniently" overlooked by modern revisionists. But as "ninety five percent of what is published on all things is hogwash" (A. Jones), this should hardly surprise.
---The Man Behind the Mask.
After dealing with the external effects of Reagan's policies on America and throughout the world, this one seeks to go into the man himself and deal with the many paradoxes that were Reagan. This section is essential for coming close to understanding Ronald Reagan the man.
---Spirit of a Leader.
This chapter deals with Reagan as a leader and also highlights his responses to some of the administrative controversies that occurred in his Administration. Subjects such as PATCO, Lybian jets firing on the USS Nimitz in late 1981, the visiting of the Bitberg cemetery in Germany in 1985, the Lybian bombing of a West Berlin discoteque in 1986 and the US response to it, Iran-contra, and other examples are covered here.
With regards to the latter, D' Souza deals well with Iran-contra. Unfortunately, he did not touch on the 240 odd Marines who died in Lebanon in 1983 as a result of a suicide bomber. Despite the many fabrications and exaggerations often conjured up by Reagan-despising historical revisionists, this was a definite policy blunder and it would have been good to cover here along with some of the others that D'Souza does note. Despite the brevity of this tome, that is not asking too much as it would provide a bit more balance in a work that on the whole is quite vindicating of Reagan's legacy as president and as a man.
---Epilogue: The Road Not Taken.
The epilogue essentially explains why the Republicans have for the most part been floundering without a firm sense of purpose since Reagan left office.
One interesting par of this book is D'Souza's approach which is geared quite obviously to setting the record straight in areas where it is often anything but. To do this, he often follows a pattern of outlining what Reagan's opponents said about his ideas and policies -buttressed with source citations from newspapers and magazines as well as books written by critics or adversaries- and then recounts Reagan's uncanny ability to confute his adversaries again and again. In that sense it reads like an apologetic but, in light of the mountains of lies and distortions that are fed the populace about Reagan and his policies, perhaps that approach is the best way of cutting through the rubbish and focusing on what really happened. (As opposed to what Reagan's opponents wish had happened.)
The subtitle of the paperback is "how an ordinary man became an extraordinary leader." Indeed that is what President Reagan was and no one who approaches the historical record who makes any pretense of objectivity can conclude otherwise. And this book well explains the many reasons why this was so.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)