The American Spectator

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(Page 3 of 20)

A few terse observations as to the above in D.C.:

-Serving in D.C. has ceased to be fun and, as "Scooter" Libby will attest, become troublesome.

-There are no longer political and philosophical disagreements. All is "spin," personal attacks, and nonsensical questions and responses (many of which are chronicled by the A.S.)

-There is now a ton more money in industry and even academia, so given the above, why should one bother?

-The entire idea of public service has become viewed by many as only for suckers -- the pursuit of the filthy lucre now trumps all.

-The overriding circumstance, however, is sclerosis and abhorrence of even serious debate of major ideas to move the country forward. The average member now wakes each day with a fundamental decision: Shall I kick the can down the road with my right or left foot? The American public has been feminized to the point that hard choices are simply avoided as these "leaders" simply hope to get through another term absent controversy.

p>-A nation of bold risk takers has become a nation of craven dolts and this is evidenced by those elected to office. Who among us would voluntarily be questioned by Durbin, Biden, Kennedy, et al., to take a position that offers little in the way of personal satisfaction?? Not I, said Cock Robin! br> -- Bruce Karlson br> Navarre, Florida /p>

The problem is, you are comparing two very different eras.

The old boys gained stature in academia, to be sure -- but that was before academia was hopelessly cheapened by Marxists and anarchists, and boardroom thugs disguised as "scholars." Kissinger and Moynihan arrived trailing clouds of glory, as it were. Poor Ms. Rice? We were simply relieved that none of the Bolshevik mud and offal had stuck to her.

Secondly, stature and reputation were much more centralized then. If the Big Media said you were "distinguished" then you were, by golly, distinguished, for no other voices could make themselves heard. Today, as an unforeseen result of a vastly widened (i.e., functional) "public square", this sort of "orthodox confirmation" is no longer possible. All to the good, says I. With many eyes watching and many voices ready, the capable and dedicated can still prove themselves. But the parasite intelligentsia are increasingly denied the chance to rest on their (largely imaginary) laurels. Which may account for the shrill, not to say rabid tone of so many of them lately.

Last, no ever regards his contemporaries with the same automatic respect he gave earlier mentors and models. Perspectives change with circumstances and time. Which is why God gave us gin.

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