We are grateful, every day, for all of you, JVL. You lovable curmudgeon. Your children are blessed to have you as their father and your wife to have you as her husband. Have a Happy Easter. Eat lots of chocolate eggs, the theobromine in the chocolate will make you feel content and happy. If only for a day. ;)
Another take on Robert Kagan by Andrew Bacevich, the "leading American conservative academic", per Alan Steinberg ("Alan J. Steinberg served as regional administrator of Region 2 EPA during the administration of former President George W. Bush and as executive director of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission.")
Love a good Roberto Duran pull. Having to stop a superfight because you're about to have uncontrollable diarrhea is definately the right metaphor. A+, no notes.
"But I listened to Kagan spend an hour talking about the book and history with Bill Kristol and it was one of those paradigm-shift moments for me that changed my way of seeing the world."
Anything that causes you to "paradigm-shift" should be approached with rigor and skepticism. Otherwise, you will be prone to what turned Republicans into Trumpists, don't you think? Isn't the lesson of the last decade for conservatives to do their homework before undergoing paradigm-shifts?
I would dispute the idea that World War II or Afghanistan were wars of choice after Pearl Harbor and 9/11. Those (and Fort Sumter) were the clearest acts of war any aggressor has ever directly committed against us.
This is why y'all should interview the new conservatives like Saagar Enjeti (Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar) and Marshall Kosloff (The Realignment podcast). Enjeti in particular is quite dangerous since he channels a faux-populist rage about America and its aid to Ukraine.
Thank you for the Easter gift of the article by Lisabeth Button. I was a bit surprised when I read your mention of "Plough." I am participating in a study group using as a text "Following the Call: Living the Sermon on the Mount Together," a Plough publication.
In St. Petersburg, FL, in the Old Southeast neighborhood, within 4 blocks of each other, are the St. Petersburg Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) (my meeting), the Vedanta Center (a religion based on the Vedas), and the Bayboro Bruderhof Community.
I am fortunate to have a couple of friends among the Bruderhof. The Bruderhof have an interesting history that is well worth anyone's time to find their website and read about it. Personally, I have some issues with the lifestyle and the patriarchal nature of the group but also find a lot to admire, most of it illustrated in Mrs. Button's excellent article.
Matt Taibbi used to be one of my favorite journalists. Witnessing his descent into pitiful skullduggery is just...barf.
We are grateful, every day, for all of you, JVL. You lovable curmudgeon. Your children are blessed to have you as their father and your wife to have you as her husband. Have a Happy Easter. Eat lots of chocolate eggs, the theobromine in the chocolate will make you feel content and happy. If only for a day. ;)
Thank you for that beautiful essay.
Another take on Robert Kagan by Andrew Bacevich, the "leading American conservative academic", per Alan Steinberg ("Alan J. Steinberg served as regional administrator of Region 2 EPA during the administration of former President George W. Bush and as executive director of the New Jersey Meadowlands Commission.")
Bacevich:
https://responsiblestatecraft.org/2022/04/16/robert-kagan-american-passivity-led-to-the-russia-ukraine-crisis/?highlight=Robert%20Kagan
Sample Alan Steinberg:
https://www.insidernj.com/one-year-later-gop-still-war-against-democracy/
Love a good Roberto Duran pull. Having to stop a superfight because you're about to have uncontrollable diarrhea is definately the right metaphor. A+, no notes.
"But I listened to Kagan spend an hour talking about the book and history with Bill Kristol and it was one of those paradigm-shift moments for me that changed my way of seeing the world."
Anything that causes you to "paradigm-shift" should be approached with rigor and skepticism. Otherwise, you will be prone to what turned Republicans into Trumpists, don't you think? Isn't the lesson of the last decade for conservatives to do their homework before undergoing paradigm-shifts?
That "Plough" article is wonderful. Thanks for the recommendation.
The Afghanistan war went on for twenty years with the approval of the voters?
God bless you JVL. For finding light and sharing it during these oftentimes of dread and doubt.
A blessed Easter to you as well.
I would dispute the idea that World War II or Afghanistan were wars of choice after Pearl Harbor and 9/11. Those (and Fort Sumter) were the clearest acts of war any aggressor has ever directly committed against us.
This is why y'all should interview the new conservatives like Saagar Enjeti (Breaking Points with Krystal and Saagar) and Marshall Kosloff (The Realignment podcast). Enjeti in particular is quite dangerous since he channels a faux-populist rage about America and its aid to Ukraine.
Thank you for the Easter gift of the article by Lisabeth Button. I was a bit surprised when I read your mention of "Plough." I am participating in a study group using as a text "Following the Call: Living the Sermon on the Mount Together," a Plough publication.
In St. Petersburg, FL, in the Old Southeast neighborhood, within 4 blocks of each other, are the St. Petersburg Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) (my meeting), the Vedanta Center (a religion based on the Vedas), and the Bayboro Bruderhof Community.
I am fortunate to have a couple of friends among the Bruderhof. The Bruderhof have an interesting history that is well worth anyone's time to find their website and read about it. Personally, I have some issues with the lifestyle and the patriarchal nature of the group but also find a lot to admire, most of it illustrated in Mrs. Button's excellent article.
Oh, the humanity!
Thank you for introducig me to Mr. Kagan's works and a different way of looking at American history.
JVL, thank you so much for sharing the essay from Plough. I needed this on Good Friday! Have a blessed Easter.