People often say, "There are two types of people . . ." and they are correct. Ultimately, despite whatever iterations and variations of the phrase that people are most fond, it really comes down to optimism and pessimism.
Conservatism is the label we give to the ideology, mindset, world view, or whatever you choose to call it, of those who are basically and fundamentally optimistic. This optimism lends this optimist, or conservative, or whatever you choose to call him/her, to believe and know that they can do for themself and place a higher value on their freedoms and liberty than on reliance of a greater force. The optimist is sure in making decisions and has the confidence to make those decisions.
October 26, 2009
The Highest Paygrade and Low-brow
The debate - well, really it was more an interview - with Rick Warren will not soon be forgotten. It will be remembered, I think, for one thing in particular: Barack Obama's claim that he is not qualified to express an opinion as to when life begins because it is "above his pay grade." To me, as much as any other thing he has ever said, that statement reflects the quality of Obama's character and that he will always seek the path of least resistance. Now that he holds the highest "pay-grade" on all of the earth, I very much want to hear his answer to that very same question. The issue, though, runs tangent to abortion and valuing life; it is the matter of presidential etiquette regarding his new pay-grade. Perhaps Emily Post should have written a book just for presidents.
Recently, Obama & Co. lined up their jumbo jets and zipped over to Copenhagen. While there, the CINC found a whopping twenty-five minutes to spend with his top commander in Afghanistan – it was a side mission, really. The true purpose of his trip, made with his wife and Oprah Winfrey, was a mission of the gravest importance: to bring the 2016 Olympic Games to Chicago. (Cue the timpani drums and dramatic organ.)
Recently, Obama & Co. lined up their jumbo jets and zipped over to Copenhagen. While there, the CINC found a whopping twenty-five minutes to spend with his top commander in Afghanistan – it was a side mission, really. The true purpose of his trip, made with his wife and Oprah Winfrey, was a mission of the gravest importance: to bring the 2016 Olympic Games to Chicago. (Cue the timpani drums and dramatic organ.)
October 23, 2009
Where are all the Feminists?
Somewhere in the world a woman is about to murdered in the name of honor and we hear only silence in the surrounding moments. Somewhere in the world a woman is being made to walk a short distance behind her husband for the sake of propriety and we hear no mega-phoned objections. Somewhere in the world a little girl is killed because of population restrictions and her parents prefer a little boy. Somewhere a woman is beginning her eighth pregnancy during which she has contracted the HIV virus and the silence we hear is shocking.
Actually, there are plenty of activists, media personalities, average Americans, and organizations who oppose and speak loudly against these commonalities . . . just not the American Feminist Movement. But, shouldn’t feminists be leading the charge? And, perhaps, it is only me who is shocked by the astounding silence – else, the call to marshal the Feminist Movement would resound throughout all American Media.
Actually, there are plenty of activists, media personalities, average Americans, and organizations who oppose and speak loudly against these commonalities . . . just not the American Feminist Movement. But, shouldn’t feminists be leading the charge? And, perhaps, it is only me who is shocked by the astounding silence – else, the call to marshal the Feminist Movement would resound throughout all American Media.