Hmmmmmm. I think you're probably right though there are a several billion people who will diagree for all sorts of reasons, Religious ideology, hunger, being french etc. But yes Dean I would agree.
P.S. I'm Irish does this mean I'm banned from discussions :-)
Dean, you just boiled down one of the fundamental roots of the literally 5 zillion arguments between many of those who have opposing political tendencies ... optimism and confidence in our system and way-of-life vs. self-loathing (as an extension of the human tendency to be skeptical and disinterested with that which is familiar and boring).
The self-loathing can be effective in squirreling out negative aspects of our society and instigating change; but a lack of self-confidence about how relatively beautiful our society really is is a dangerous proposition in this age of globalization and weapons proliferation. (That line sounds like a throwaway cliche on a college poli-sci paper, but read it again folks - 2+2 makes 4).
Unfortunately, the odds of this city on a hill surviving this century relatively intact may literally be 50/50. 20/80 if it's proven that a prosperous Democracy can't sustain enough anger for a protracted strategic conflict. Man the barricades, folks.
Who's we?
What is it, Cryptic Day at Dean's World again? And if it is, why didn't I get the memo?
Look at history.
We are the city on the hill. We really are.
What Ru said.
Think you're not part of us, do you?
(whails) I still don't know who us is...... my head hurts.
"Us":
Democracy. Free speech.
Western Civilization.
The United States.
Hmmmmmm. I think you're probably right though there are a several billion people who will diagree for all sorts of reasons, Religious ideology, hunger, being french etc. But yes Dean I would agree.
P.S. I'm Irish does this mean I'm banned from discussions :-)
Ah. Point taken.
*note to self never comment without sufficent amount of caffine in system*
No Irish in Dean's World! I hate the Irish!
(Says the man whose great-grandmother was named Ruby Carnahan.)
""Us":
Democracy. Free speech.
Western Civilization.
The United States."
Freedom!
("Us" -- that means _me_.)
And I get my Irish up whenever anybody attacks US.
Dean, you just boiled down one of the fundamental roots of the literally 5 zillion arguments between many of those who have opposing political tendencies ... optimism and confidence in our system and way-of-life vs. self-loathing (as an extension of the human tendency to be skeptical and disinterested with that which is familiar and boring).
The self-loathing can be effective in squirreling out negative aspects of our society and instigating change; but a lack of self-confidence about how relatively beautiful our society really is is a dangerous proposition in this age of globalization and weapons proliferation. (That line sounds like a throwaway cliche on a college poli-sci paper, but read it again folks - 2+2 makes 4).
Unfortunately, the odds of this city on a hill surviving this century relatively intact may literally be 50/50. 20/80 if it's proven that a prosperous Democracy can't sustain enough anger for a protracted strategic conflict. Man the barricades, folks.
If you are the world's last, best hope, heaven help us all.......
Can you name someplace better Nynke?
He said 'First, best hope' and not 'last'.
Do you think when they build the Dean Esmay 5 station it won't explode? ;)
Probably not. But that'll be because all the trolls, kooks, idiotarians, etc. will be safely locked up on numbers 1-4.