Is democracy enough?
I’ve asked that
before. R.J.Rummel argues persuasively that stable full-functioning democracies are the key to worldwide peace. Retired from the Univ. of Hawaii, Rummel is anything but retired in fact – he’s going full force over on his
blog. In a response to his piece on
self-determination, I raise some
dissenting points. Perhaps it is more rhetorical than substantial. In any case, his reply is
cogent (scroll half way down). Isn’t the blogosphere great?
Moderate what?
Where are the moderate Muslims? A well publicized
rally for Muslims against Islamic terrorism drew only a hundred and was condemned by large and older Islamic groups. Still, the myth of moderate Islam continues. Why do people need this myth? It reminds me of those on the left who cling to the myth of socialism. Through out the 20th century as nation after nation tried socialism and failed, some just can’t give up the myth.
Pssst, hey you on 43rd St.
From New York Times article via
Jihad Watch: religion plays a role in the killings in Iraq. I’m shocked,
shocked!
Libertarians come in two flavors
There are two types of libertarians: utopian and reality-based. 9/11 has separated these two camps like no other event. The Libertarian Party and now the
Cato Institute has joined the Independent Institute, Lew Rockwell, Von Mises Institute in the utopian side of the street. The utopians believe we can stay within our borders and no one will hurt us. To keep this religious belief intact, they have to blame the victims for jihadist violence. Like the left they chant: we brought it on ourselves.
On the Reality-based side are
The Objectivist Center,
The Ayn Rand Institute,
To The Point and now the newly formed
Neo-Libertarians. These groups hold a “peace through strength” philosophy and 9/11 was a call to arms. The Neo-libertarians are an interesting addition and worth keeping an eye on.
7 Comments:
The Lew Rockwell types are just evil. I rarely loose my temper but one of them did it to me. He was running around saying the Mossad
placed secondary explosives in the WTC. For a person who was there
twice this is a slap in my face.
I can not tell the difference between Lew Rockwell types and Antiwwar.com idiots any more.
Well, Jason, you need to get out of Manhattan a little more. I have always considered New York City to be the biggest provincial small town in the world. In this regard, I quite agree with the conservative social critics. Most New Yorkers can't even comprehend there is a view other than their own, let alone agree with it. But then again, I suppose I shouldn't be saying this, as I am always leery of generalizations. For example, most people probably assume that California, being a "blue" state, is uniformly liberal. In fact, I am a liberal living in San Diego County, which is about as red as it gets. Perhaps you would like to switch places sometime, so both of us can enjoy not having to hide our beliefs. Out here, the first two questions you'll get asked are "What church do you belong to?" and "Did you vote for Bush?" (Your answer to the latter had best be affirmative of course, or you will be in for a major shitstorm. I don't think you'll have any problem there, but I wonder how you will enjoy being shunned for not having an answer to the former?) My point is, there's enough ignorance and intolerance to go around, regardless of where you live or whose side you are on.
Beak, I’ll tell you about the connection between LewRockwell.com and antiwar.com sometime when I write about them in detail.
Jim, ah yes, I’ve been hearing stories (which is what I like about the web). I regularly post in different private yahoo groups – one consists of mostly Red State leftists. It’s a learning experience. I call it the fish-out-of-water group. Of course they find a Blue State "secular conservative" like myself quite an oddity. But so do my neighbors here in Manhattan. Besides that group, there’s a group of confederates who still want to succeed from the union.
After quite a bit of talking I’ve come to one conclusion: once you get to know people they are all unique and defy all labels – except at election time when everyone becomes partisan and toes the party line.
But one thing I discovered: no one like Yankee fans.
On that, we absolutely agree.
Jason .. I grew up in Minnesota, New York, New Jersey and now live in Pennsyltucky. Somehow, I've married a NYC Manhattan girl and am still a Conservative. The Mrs is even coming over to the 'Right' side now. If my neighbors ever knew about the enemy in their midst ... oh boy. I think they suspect though, I did not put up a 'Vote for Kerry' sign in my yard, just 2 American flags.
Guys you can also find the Beak Speaks on Slash point. My nephew put up links to a few blogs including this one.
Cadwick I like Liberals but NYC is also home to a disturbing number of far left nuts. There latest hit was to call me a coward for hauling tail on 9-11. These are disgusting subversives and should be avoided at all costs .
I am temporarily leaving NYC for another Red State but I will be back NYC is in my blood.
Jason,
A useful division. It would interesting to explicate more fully sometime just what kind of utopia the utopians actually want.
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