Re: The Liberal Patriot. Have followed Halpin et. al. for a while and, as with most such enterprises I follow, there is usually something of value to be found there. But "liberal nationalism" as the glue to bind the half (a reasonable estimate, I think) of the country together that is only nominally aligned due to its lack of investment …
Re: The Liberal Patriot. Have followed Halpin et. al. for a while and, as with most such enterprises I follow, there is usually something of value to be found there. But "liberal nationalism" as the glue to bind the half (a reasonable estimate, I think) of the country together that is only nominally aligned due to its lack of investment in the identity politics being hustled by the outer wings on either side of the political divide? Well, it may work in theory, maybe, yes. But, having spent 5 decades looking at blueprints for intricate machines and the parts for them that my job entails making, I've seen plenty of stuff that looked "good on paper" but didn't work worth a damn when actually assembled and the "on button" was pushed, leaving the designers scratching their heads and scratching for solutions.
But, for the sake of argument, let's be optimistic and say that some sort of liberal, civic nationalism was "built" and resulted in half the country becoming more strongly aligned, a too optimistic figure I believe, but let's just say that it happens. What have you got? Half the country, perhaps a bit more united, but still standing toe to toe in opposition to, and slugging it out with, the other half, swinging in front of themselves and behind as well. A slightly better position than we currently find ourselves in perhaps, but not by much.
Unless and until the idea takes hold in this country that being an "American" means being many different things, and that minding one's own life and one's own business well is the surest way to mind the country's life and the country's business well, no "isms" of any sort will pull this nation together to the point that it can do any more than simply "muddle through". And we'll be damned lucky to even do that if someone, somewhere doesn't soon step up to the role of true national leadership, with the moral wherewithal to cast aside personal aspirations, political or otherwise, and simply speak the truth of that premise loudly, clearly and with conviction.
own business. If we even, mostly did that, I think things would have to be better. I've thought this for some time, but seeing someone put it into words makes me think it will be my response to the complainers in my world.
So you don't subscribe to MLK's claim "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly" (Letter from a Birmingham Jail).
Sure, but each of us must realize that with rights come responsiblity. Right now, I hear a lot about rights. Seems like we must be responsible to society. "Ask not what your country can do for you..."
Linda, our rights and responsibilites as Americans have nothing to do with injustice, which is what MLK was talking about in 1963, when rights asserted in the Constitution were denied to African Americans. Your claim that we should all "mind and tend to one's own business" does nothing about injustice.
Re: The Liberal Patriot. Have followed Halpin et. al. for a while and, as with most such enterprises I follow, there is usually something of value to be found there. But "liberal nationalism" as the glue to bind the half (a reasonable estimate, I think) of the country together that is only nominally aligned due to its lack of investment in the identity politics being hustled by the outer wings on either side of the political divide? Well, it may work in theory, maybe, yes. But, having spent 5 decades looking at blueprints for intricate machines and the parts for them that my job entails making, I've seen plenty of stuff that looked "good on paper" but didn't work worth a damn when actually assembled and the "on button" was pushed, leaving the designers scratching their heads and scratching for solutions.
But, for the sake of argument, let's be optimistic and say that some sort of liberal, civic nationalism was "built" and resulted in half the country becoming more strongly aligned, a too optimistic figure I believe, but let's just say that it happens. What have you got? Half the country, perhaps a bit more united, but still standing toe to toe in opposition to, and slugging it out with, the other half, swinging in front of themselves and behind as well. A slightly better position than we currently find ourselves in perhaps, but not by much.
Unless and until the idea takes hold in this country that being an "American" means being many different things, and that minding one's own life and one's own business well is the surest way to mind the country's life and the country's business well, no "isms" of any sort will pull this nation together to the point that it can do any more than simply "muddle through". And we'll be damned lucky to even do that if someone, somewhere doesn't soon step up to the role of true national leadership, with the moral wherewithal to cast aside personal aspirations, political or otherwise, and simply speak the truth of that premise loudly, clearly and with conviction.
Absolutely!! Mind and tend to one's
own business. If we even, mostly did that, I think things would have to be better. I've thought this for some time, but seeing someone put it into words makes me think it will be my response to the complainers in my world.
So you don't subscribe to MLK's claim "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly" (Letter from a Birmingham Jail).
Sure, but each of us must realize that with rights come responsiblity. Right now, I hear a lot about rights. Seems like we must be responsible to society. "Ask not what your country can do for you..."
Linda, our rights and responsibilites as Americans have nothing to do with injustice, which is what MLK was talking about in 1963, when rights asserted in the Constitution were denied to African Americans. Your claim that we should all "mind and tend to one's own business" does nothing about injustice.
True enough, but I wasn't originally commenting on injustice. More about acceptance and responsibility.
If your world is anything like mine, you'll no doubt be responding a lot.