Thanks for those reflective thoughts. Most people do understand that freedom is at the most fragile state it's ever been but don't understand that fighting in the periphery skirmishes won't win the war. Inconstancy in clear thinking is what I find to be the most difficult trend to challenge. May you have success getting through.
I just shake my head in exasperation and despair at the incredible, and dangerous ignorance of my fellow Americans. To not only throw away the ideas that have brought them such prosperity is one thing, but to actively attack those ideas is cultural suicide. As a lifelong atheist, I can only say "Thank God for you" and all those intellectuals who share your ideals. May you ultimately prevail in this desperate struggle. Well done, and keep the great stuff coming!
"Do Americans still believe these principles to be true, and will they fight to defend them."
Some do, but even among those the willingness to fight is disappearing. Why give your life for this unspeakable catastrophe that the US has become? (And when there is little chance that we can recover.) Unfortunately, most still acquiesce in forever wars and raining death and destruction upon others such as in Ukraine.
It isn't a question of whether we will have citizens in the future that will go off to defend those principles that made our country, but will we have the leaders that can determine what we are sending our men off to fight is in the countries interest. From what I see we are sadly in need of those leaders.
Brad: I grabbed on to your shirttail when you were just getting started, hooked like a fat bass by an oxymoronic pseudonym. Since then, mightily impressed by your scholarship - and even more by your persistence - I find myself waiting for each new piece, hoping that, eventually, you will discover the way back, or at least a way forward, so I can go out like Sam Houston rather than Davy Crockett. Keep at it, please.
"It is no longer sufficient to rely on filiopieties, flattering slogans, or folksy speeches of doughface conservatives." Well said, Brad. With few exceptions, or "conservative" protectors have deserted us for the Swamp. Nearly all beneficial political change will now come from the "bottom up."
Thanks for those reflective thoughts. Most people do understand that freedom is at the most fragile state it's ever been but don't understand that fighting in the periphery skirmishes won't win the war. Inconstancy in clear thinking is what I find to be the most difficult trend to challenge. May you have success getting through.
I just shake my head in exasperation and despair at the incredible, and dangerous ignorance of my fellow Americans. To not only throw away the ideas that have brought them such prosperity is one thing, but to actively attack those ideas is cultural suicide. As a lifelong atheist, I can only say "Thank God for you" and all those intellectuals who share your ideals. May you ultimately prevail in this desperate struggle. Well done, and keep the great stuff coming!
"Do Americans still believe these principles to be true, and will they fight to defend them."
Some do, but even among those the willingness to fight is disappearing. Why give your life for this unspeakable catastrophe that the US has become? (And when there is little chance that we can recover.) Unfortunately, most still acquiesce in forever wars and raining death and destruction upon others such as in Ukraine.
It isn't a question of whether we will have citizens in the future that will go off to defend those principles that made our country, but will we have the leaders that can determine what we are sending our men off to fight is in the countries interest. From what I see we are sadly in need of those leaders.
Brad: I grabbed on to your shirttail when you were just getting started, hooked like a fat bass by an oxymoronic pseudonym. Since then, mightily impressed by your scholarship - and even more by your persistence - I find myself waiting for each new piece, hoping that, eventually, you will discover the way back, or at least a way forward, so I can go out like Sam Houston rather than Davy Crockett. Keep at it, please.
"It is no longer sufficient to rely on filiopieties, flattering slogans, or folksy speeches of doughface conservatives." Well said, Brad. With few exceptions, or "conservative" protectors have deserted us for the Swamp. Nearly all beneficial political change will now come from the "bottom up."
Mr. Thompson: Thank you for a FINE piece. We should get connected.
As an example, see my substack today re Independence Day <https://criticallythinking.substack.com/p/critically-thinking-about-america>. Below that check out my archives about Critically Thinking about Societal Issues, as you have wonderfully done above.
I’m currently reading your book while also reading your essays (I guess i don’t have to read chapter 5 now)