Just imagine: A Republican infiltrated the wine tasting EDITOR: I was at a wine tasting recently where the erudite gather to discuss the intricacies of the grape. Now you wouldn’t expect to find a Republican at such a refined gathering, but there she was in all her glory. Not only was she there, she was spouting the latest Republican mantra: some nonsense about speculators and gas prices. The whole experience got me thinking, which is the only effective antidote for the pernicious virus infecting America called conservatism. Like any disease, conservatism takes up residence in organisms with weakened immune systems, and is there any group in American politics with a weaker intellectual immune system than Republicans? Anyway, the thought that came to mind was quite illuminating. Simply stated: You can be intelligent and be a Republican, or you can be honest and be a Republican, but you can’t be both and be a Republican. While the revelation above is true, it is not timeless. There was a time when Republicans honestly made sense. But that was yesteryear; I’m talking about today. Consider a few examples: First, no one can honestly believe that abortion is killing a baby in the womb. Either you are totally devoid of any knowledge of biology and the U.S. Constitution, or you are dishonest in your application of whatever knowledge you have. Second, while one can honestly disagree with how we deal with terrorism — ignore it, lawyer it, excuse it, combat it, isolate it or condone it, one cannot intellectually justify going to war with a country that has nothing to do with terrorism. Finally, it is utter nonsense to say that we can drill our way out of a problem (high gas prices) that has not been caused by a lack of drilling. I could go on, but you get the point, unless you’re a Republican. Republicans will get insulted or angry or belligerent. They’ll do just about anything, but think because it so much easier to believe the mantra than to think about the matter. But thinking is what makes us human beings. It is the foundation of civilization. Beliefs are just eddies in the stream. They are places to rest before we continue on our journey toward enlightenment. When we refuse to leave a pool of believers, the stream (civilization) leaves us behind. We become irrelevant curiosities. We are no longer vibrant human beings. We become clinging vines hoping that someone else will carry us toward the sun. That is today’s Republicans — stuck in their eddies of belief, clinging to their entitlements, and chanting the party line no matter how inane the words. It is a sad end for a proud party. But what is sadder is that America needs them to wise-up. In a world of dwindling resources, unspeakable tyrannies, and evil fanaticisms, America is that shining city on the hill. But it can’t shine if half its citizens are dim bulbs. THOMAS MASKELL Poland
(Just a few edits to demonstrate that Mr. Maskell really didn't say anything at all!)
Just imagine: A Democrat infiltrated the wine tasting
Just imagine: A Republican infiltrated the wine tasting
EDITOR:
I was at a wine tasting recently where the erudite gather to discuss the intricacies of the grape. Now you wouldn’t expect to find a Republican at such a refined gathering, but there she was in all her glory. Not only was she there, she was spouting the latest Republican mantra: some nonsense about speculators and gas prices.
The whole experience got me thinking, which is the only effective antidote for the pernicious virus infecting America called conservatism. Like any disease, conservatism takes up residence in organisms with weakened immune systems, and is there any group in American politics with a weaker intellectual immune system than Republicans? Anyway, the thought that came to mind was quite illuminating. Simply stated: You can be intelligent and be a Republican, or you can be honest and be a Republican, but you can’t be both and be a Republican.
While the revelation above is true, it is not timeless. There was a time when Republicans honestly made sense. But that was yesteryear; I’m talking about today. Consider a few examples:
First, no one can honestly believe that abortion is killing a baby in the womb. Either you are totally devoid of any knowledge of biology and the U.S. Constitution, or you are dishonest in your application of whatever knowledge you have.
Second, while one can honestly disagree with how we deal with terrorism — ignore it, lawyer it, excuse it, combat it, isolate it or condone it, one cannot intellectually justify going to war with a country that has nothing to do with terrorism.
Finally, it is utter nonsense to say that we can drill our way out of a problem (high gas prices) that has not been caused by a lack of drilling.
I could go on, but you get the point, unless you’re a Republican. Republicans will get insulted or angry or belligerent. They’ll do just about anything, but think because it so much easier to believe the mantra than to think about the matter. But thinking is what makes us human beings. It is the foundation of civilization. Beliefs are just eddies in the stream. They are places to rest before we continue on our journey toward enlightenment.
When we refuse to leave a pool of believers, the stream (civilization) leaves us behind. We become irrelevant curiosities. We are no longer vibrant human beings. We become clinging vines hoping that someone else will carry us toward the sun. That is today’s Republicans — stuck in their eddies of belief, clinging to their entitlements, and chanting the party line no matter how inane the words. It is a sad end for a proud party.
But what is sadder is that America needs them to wise-up. In a world of dwindling resources, unspeakable tyrannies, and evil fanaticisms, America is that shining city on the hill. But it can’t shine if half its citizens are dim bulbs.
THOMAS MASKELL
Poland
(Just a few edits to demonstrate that Mr. Maskell really didn't say anything at all!)
August 28, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. permalink suggest removal