Monday, June 18, 2007
Saying of the Day
I am not sure if this will truly be daily, but this struck me as something of use to think about today, and I thought I would share.
Miguel de Cervantes:
"Everyone is as God has made him, and oftentimes a great deal worse."
This having been said, much better than I ever could, I will leave it at that.
Miguel de Cervantes:
"Everyone is as God has made him, and oftentimes a great deal worse."
This having been said, much better than I ever could, I will leave it at that.
Labels: Sayings
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Authoritarianism in America
I have addressed this issue several times before. I actually have a different reason for addressing today, but before I get to that I can't help but mention that the President the other day referred to 'His government.' I am fairly sure that his statement was to refer to his administration, but I think the verbal blunder had a bit of telling information in it any way.
The real reason for this post is a book review. I recently finished reading 'It Can Happen Here: Authoritarian Peril in the Age of Bush' by Joe Conason. It is clear from the title what the position of this book is and where it is coming from, but I wanted to get someone else's 'input' on the subject. The book does a very good job of summing up the similarities between the Bush Administration and how it functions with authoritarian governments past and present. It is a detailed examination of the Administration and it's apparent need to operate in secrecy.
Something the book did that I thought was interesting was an indepth discussion of the Nixon Adminstration and the development of the 'Unitary Executive' theory that this Administration has built up.
Another thing that Mr. Conason did that I thought was very interesting is comparing the real world of the present with the book written by Sinclair Lewis the author of 'It Can't Happen Here' (1935) in which Mr. Lewis discusses a proposed take over of the United States by a fascist government.
I would recommend this book for two reasons. 1. I feel the book is very good and very well researched, and does a good job of concisely pointing out the problems with the Bush Administration. 2. Even if you don't agree with the point of view, getting the information gives you a feel for what the 'other side' is saying.
The real reason for this post is a book review. I recently finished reading 'It Can Happen Here: Authoritarian Peril in the Age of Bush' by Joe Conason. It is clear from the title what the position of this book is and where it is coming from, but I wanted to get someone else's 'input' on the subject. The book does a very good job of summing up the similarities between the Bush Administration and how it functions with authoritarian governments past and present. It is a detailed examination of the Administration and it's apparent need to operate in secrecy.
Something the book did that I thought was interesting was an indepth discussion of the Nixon Adminstration and the development of the 'Unitary Executive' theory that this Administration has built up.
Another thing that Mr. Conason did that I thought was very interesting is comparing the real world of the present with the book written by Sinclair Lewis the author of 'It Can't Happen Here' (1935) in which Mr. Lewis discusses a proposed take over of the United States by a fascist government.
I would recommend this book for two reasons. 1. I feel the book is very good and very well researched, and does a good job of concisely pointing out the problems with the Bush Administration. 2. Even if you don't agree with the point of view, getting the information gives you a feel for what the 'other side' is saying.
Labels: Book Review
Bumper Sticker Politics
I was driving to work yesterday and I saw the following on a bumper sticker:
National Security begins in the womb
The color was just for emphasis. It was on a red, white, and blue bumper sticker. The car had other 'pro-life' bumper stickers.
The bumper sticker bothered me most of the day. Finally at the end of the day, I discussed the bumper sticker with my wife, and she had a completely different view of the slogan than I did. After talking with my wife and listening to her thoughts on it I decided that she was probably correct on what the meaning of the bumper sticker was. If anyone out there can help though, I would like some other thoughts on the meaning of the bumper sticker. (I am actually interested to see if anyone else takes it the way I did.)
National Security begins in the womb
The color was just for emphasis. It was on a red, white, and blue bumper sticker. The car had other 'pro-life' bumper stickers.
The bumper sticker bothered me most of the day. Finally at the end of the day, I discussed the bumper sticker with my wife, and she had a completely different view of the slogan than I did. After talking with my wife and listening to her thoughts on it I decided that she was probably correct on what the meaning of the bumper sticker was. If anyone out there can help though, I would like some other thoughts on the meaning of the bumper sticker. (I am actually interested to see if anyone else takes it the way I did.)
Labels: Personal
