“Serious argument and sound reasoning are preferable to ridicule.”
-Thomas Paine
And if you don’t agree with me, you’re an idiot…
On the Left, the Right, and the Blogosphere
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Monthly Archives: October 2007
On Wariness of the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing – And Other Animal Analogies
“Could the wolf bleat like the lamb the flock would soon be enticed into ruin.”
-Thomas Paine
If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, take a closer look. It might not be a duck.
Wit and diligence are not the sole domain of the wolf.
On Admitting When It’s Your Bad
“More mischief is effected by wrapping up guilt in splendid excuse, than by directly patronizing it.”
-Thomas Paine
The best way to absolve guilt and move on is to simply admit it. “Hey, man; My Bad…”
On an Intolerant World View
“A narrow system of politics, like a narrow system of religion, is calculated only to sour the temper, and be at variance with mankind.”
-Thomas Paine, The Crisis
For all that might separate and divide us, politics and religion can be the most insidious when, on their face, they claim inclusion and in reality they sow fear, hatred, and discord.
The superior race and the one true religion.
On the Bluster of Rush Limbaugh
“Among ridiculous things nothing is more ridiculous than ridiculous rage”
-Thomas Paine
Bluster and swagger, such as the type practiced daily by the likes of Rush Limbaugh, are not the domain of any prescient wisdom or truly moral indignation.
It merely calls attention to itself and, more often than not, shows itself for what it is: a cheap and cynical plea for attention. The value of Rush Limbaugh’s words go up in the same cigar smoke that waft up from his “golden” microphone as he goes on and on in his “ridiculous rage”, all of it diminishing into nothingness.
To give such pointless rage any credence is to give it much more than it deserves.
On the Constitution vs. the Bush Administration
“A Constitution is the property of a Nation, and not those who exercise the Government.”
-Thomas Paine, the Rights of Man
George Bush barely hides his near contempt for the Constitution, apparently seeing it as something of an obstacle to his total grip on power.
Several sources have confirmed his angry retort at a staff meeting in 2005 that certain provisions of the Patriot Act may be unconstitutional:
“Stop throwing the Constitution in my face, it’s just a goddamned piece of paper!”
Unfortunately for Bush, the Constitution must continually be thrown in his face – in the face of every president – as often as is required to insure that he remain subject to the fundamental law in a nation governed by laws.
The Constitution is more than a “goddamned piece of paper”; and Mr. Bush does the nation no service to attempt to rise above it.
Perhaps it is even an impeachable offense?