A little reminder: in the Oct 22, 2012 presidential debate, Mitt
Romney railed against cuts in military spending, completely missing
the point that there are substantial savings to be found in the
Pentagon budget. But his argument, while disappointing to me, is at
least something that can be honestly disagreed about.
Unlike, in stark contrast, the words of Barack Obama who said in
a mere 5 seconds that (A) the sequester was Congress’ idea rather
than his (a lie), and (B) that the sequester “will not happen.”
Anyone want to bet whether any of the major broadcast outlets
replay these 5 seconds in coming days?
I would also suggest that this reminds us of something
important: Obama is not an omniscient being. Indeed he has, and has
always had a remarkably tin political ear, winning election by
narrower margins than one would expect of the “coolest” and first
black candidate, running against two boring old white guys. Obama
only seems strong because the GOP has been so weak, particularly
weak in messaging. I can’t say I have a great answer to that
problem because I feel as if it’s like a college team playing
against an NFL team; we just don’t have strong enough players, at
least not in the key positions. But on any given day, it might
actually be possible for a good college team to beat a weak pro
team.
Republicans, and The Right generally, are more a demoralized JV
team. And its ear is made not of tin but of wood. The Republicans'
problem is that they don't hunger for power, as does the Left at
all times. The Left loves power as though it were a beautiful
woman. Power is its obsession, its study and pursuit. They dream of
it, lust after it, and worship it wherever found. The more
ruthlessly and unashamedly it is employed, the more seductive it
appears to them. Hitler, Stalin, Castro, Mao, Che, Chavez, the list
goes on and on. Until the Right begins to crave and pursue power
with equal fervor, it is doomed to overall political failure.
The core Left of this country is totalitarian. The Right need
not be; it need only bring equal fortitude and singlemindedness of
purpose to bear in pursuit of its aims. Unfortunately, it seems all
too relieved when it surrenders, almost enjoying the peace of the
vanquished.
The debacle of this president’s administration is both a cause
and a symptom of the decline of American values. Unless Congress
impeaches him, that decline will go on unchecked. An eminent jurist
surveys the damage and assesses the chances for the recovery of our
culture.
The American Christmas, like the songs that celebrate it,
makes room for everybody under the rainbow. Is that why so
many people seem to be hostile to it?
Bandido| 2.26.13 @ 1:03PM
Republicans, and The Right generally, are more a demoralized JV team. And its ear is made not of tin but of wood. The Republicans' problem is that they don't hunger for power, as does the Left at all times. The Left loves power as though it were a beautiful woman. Power is its obsession, its study and pursuit. They dream of it, lust after it, and worship it wherever found. The more ruthlessly and unashamedly it is employed, the more seductive it appears to them. Hitler, Stalin, Castro, Mao, Che, Chavez, the list goes on and on. Until the Right begins to crave and pursue power with equal fervor, it is doomed to overall political failure.
Ross Kaminsky| 2.26.13 @ 1:17PM
Be careful what you wish for.
Bandido| 2.26.13 @ 3:44PM
The core Left of this country is totalitarian. The Right need not be; it need only bring equal fortitude and singlemindedness of purpose to bear in pursuit of its aims. Unfortunately, it seems all too relieved when it surrenders, almost enjoying the peace of the vanquished.