Tom Harken says, fear the military; McCain is too militaristic; which goes directly against the 2004 narrative wherein John Kerry was to be esteemed for his military service. Apparently, all military service is suspect, but draftees are more honorable than volunteers. Got that? It’s going to be a hell of an election.
Okay, then, moving on: I’ve invented a new word: Obnoxism. It describes taking an obnoxious, infantile and ultimately extremely illiberal behavior and then encouraging others in it until a vast crowd turns its back on an 83 year old woman, with most of them probably having no idea why they’re doing it except that, “she’s an intolerant conservative, not a tolerant liberal, like us!”
Irony with “sophistication” - The Anti-semitical UN is going to investigate racism in America. They have much to teach us, apparently.
Members of the press spin atrocious stuff about Pope Benedict. Meanwhile, thoughtful atheists are sharing his concerns about relativism and the nature of truth and the need for it. H/T Sisu.
Finally, Obama and the prostrate press, who either do not know history, or do not regard it, are starting to give me the same willies John Kerry used to give me. Boy, I’m starting to miss Hillary! And Bush. After seeing him sneak past the media filters for a few hours, and the effect of it, I’m missing him.
And curiously, I want to puke.
May 17th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Obnoxism - I like that word, it is one of the most useful ones to be invented in a very long time. Thanks.
May 17th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Pope Benedict will be remembered for his wisdom 500 years from now. Thankfully many of these pundits who criticize him aren’t listened to even now. Thank God for the gift he has given us in Benedict and in John Paul II!! Keep the faith and God bless! Padre Steve, SDB
May 17th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
I think I want to get a bumper sticker made that says I MISS DUBYA ~ might be able to make some money selling some of those! How this man has remained steadfast to the daunting task in front of him for the past 7+ years is amazing. He hasn’t stuck his finger in the air to see which way the wind is blowing, nor has he taken poll after poll to guide him in his decision making…he has merely charted his course based on what needs to be done, relied on his faith in God, and forged ahead, much to the consternation of those in the media who have BDS.
May 17th, 2008 at 3:56 pm
[...] Weekend of Irony [...]
May 17th, 2008 at 4:38 pm
[...] moo here, Elizabeth Scalia: Anchoress: Okay, then, moving on: I’ve invented a new word: Obnoxism. It describes taking an obnoxious, [...]
May 17th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
I am personally inclined to think that Mrs. Schlafly’s influence on public discourse over the last four decades and change has been a net minus, but this is certainly a matter on which reasonable people may reasonably disagree. Regarding the silent demonstration of disdain at yesterday’s ceremony, this was clearly an act of calculated discourtesy, but seems to me to fall well short of the Brownshirt standard to which some of the commentators “Gateway Pundit” cites have sought to attach it. Mrs. S was not assaulted on stage or even shouted down, but mere body language (in this instance the exact opposite of “confrontational”) is deemed evidence of (GP’s words) “liberal fascists”? Color me unconvinced.
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Is it the turned backs themselves that are objectionable? In a thought experiment I imagine that VMI invites Ward Churchill to deliver the commencement address (this is, I grant, implausible, but so are Einstein’s light-speed trains). When the graduating class stands, swivels in place and presents the insufferable Coloradan their dorsal surfaces, does GP sputter that VMI has nurtured a culture “no longer willing to respect *any* differing opinions”? We cannot know, of course, but it is reasonable to assume that GP would not be the first one off the blocks deploring the breach of etiquette and tolerance.
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Could it be, then, the white hairs that are sacrosanct? In that case, we award Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) an honorary JD from Regent University. The faculty, staff and student body of this august law school, upon learning that the lawmaker had once held office in the KKK and had stated sympathy with its agenda as recently as sixty years ago, turn their backs on this dreadful nonagenarian in solidarity with RU’s commitment to a colorblind society. How long before GP makes this affront to age Topic A on his blog? How long before the entropic dissolution of the cosmos? Flip a coin.
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In short, Madame A, I think that you and yours are making a bit too much of this intended affront to Phyllis S, who is in any event still capable at 83 of defending herself without third parties rushing to the defense of a frail old lady. Intolerance is abundant on left and right these days, but this episode seems a rather weak reed on which to support the notion of a leftist tyranny.
May 17th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I fear Tom Harken and those who think like him. I remember returning to college after a few years in the Army that included a tour in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. I saw lots of death (including my own during a “near death” experience), lots of heroism and lots of cruelty. My dad had seen the same type of things as a Marine in WWII. He was a good American but I was as well. The difference (besides my dad being a real hero) is that we Americans honored his service while I was spit on once I was back in college. Are we going to do that to the brave and honorable kids who are sacrificing now in Iraq and Afghanistan? Will our liberal elite ever accept those of us who not only talk our beliefs but also live them?
May 17th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
Rand, what I was very specific about was less the snub to Ms. Schafly than the ease with which people may be moved to participate in such demonstrations knowing rather less than more about the person to whom they are objecting, but simply going along. Had I read about a “backturning” against Byrd I might still object, since his past association with the KKK is one he has fully renounced…but having said that, I would give those who disrespected Byrd the benefit of a doubt that they actually KNEW of his “past sins” and the gravity of what membership of the KKK entailed, vs Ms. Schafly’s “sins” which would perhaps rise in the balance, when compared. Also, agree with her or disagree, one would think that purely from a feminist point of view, Schafly’s being a prominent and successful woman -regardless of her ideologies - would allow for a modicum of respect (oh, I forget, only the right sorts of prominent women are honored for their accomplishments while hauling about a vagina - and those would all be women of the left…as long as they did not go all Oriana Fallaci on the left and dare to disagree with them on anything).’
In fact, Rand, I wrote less about it than you and did not “make a bit too much” of the incident. I am not great fan of Schafly and do not take undue umbrage on her behalf. I simply and sadly suspect that many of those people participating in that “meaningful” demonstration had not the first clue why they were doing it. Just doing it and being part of the righteous pack was enough. And I suspect we are seeing a lot of that on both sides, btw…which is why I also reprinted the president’s speech in its entirety. I suspect both left and right are running rampant and carrying hatchets based on on 5-word clues and pavlovian bells. Ding! “Liberal! Bark, bark, bark! DING! “Conservative!” Bark, Sneer, ARGHGHGHGHG.
Since I know you identify with the L-tribe you might not agree with me. But I identify with the C-L tribe, and from my pov, I see nothing but kneejerk.
May 18th, 2008 at 10:09 am
Is it not amazing that after three election cycles , (2002, 2004, and 2006) that we hear about how Bush’s daughters should be in the Military that we now McCain’s military ttradition is now scary. I mean what will the Public do when they learned that three of McCain sons have followed this path. Incredible
May 18th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
“He complained about ‘respect creep’”
Hot dog exploded. It’s the mindful eating version — if you have a lot of different savory and sweet things on the plate in small amounts, it seems like a lot of food but doesn’t put on the pounds —