Sunday, January 16, 2011

HERE'S A GOOD TAKE ON RECENT EVENTS

If you haven't seen it, here's Frank Rich's op-ed piece from today's NY Times. It reflects a lot of my own thinking on the Arizona tragedy and reactions to it.

20 comments:

JIm said...
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JIm said...

Wow, you are even forced to delete liberal coloumnists from the Times. Do you sense the the liberal world shrinking?

Robert G. Zuckerman said...

The world of people who are mindful, honest with themselves and others, who don't believe gun ownership is a birthright, who believe hate rhetoric is wrong and using target symbols and violent terminology is irresponsible and dangerous - this world is waking up and growing stronger, and transcends petty labeling of liberal, etc, which is like the tenth layer from the core of who and what we really are.

JIm said...

Hi Robert,
Nice to see you back. There is just that thing called the Constitution. Even though many liberals objected to congress having to read it aloud, it endures while politicians will come and go.

Robert G. Zuckerman said...

As usual, you miss/choose to ignore, the point.

Robert G. Zuckerman said...

http://enews.earthlink.net/article/us?guid=20110117/0b1ed361-9aba-41ab-99fe-0acb73fe61da

This is not the answer.

JIm said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
JIm said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Robert G. Zuckerman said...

I read Jim's first comment before it was deleted. Jim called for more government control of the border, interesting in light of his mantra of less government. And his talk of unregulated arming of the citizenry is a case in point of my observation on this blog that so many of his utterances are wreckless, shortsighted and dangerous.

JIm said...

Robert,
Providing for the common defense is one of the few enumerated powers that is prescribed by the Constitution for the federal government. That obviously includes border security.

Read quickly Robert! Lally, the intollerant censor is on the prowl. If he was as vigorous in his thinking and research as in his intollerance he would become an intellectual marvel.

Robert G. Zuckerman said...

defense is about a lot more than guns. Morehei Ueshiba says: "your spirit is the true shield." think about this.

JIm said...

I'm thinking. So if, we could get Arizonians to collectively think, the border and security problems would be solved. Why did I not think of that?

Robert G. Zuckerman said...

And putting guns in the hands of people who would use them against others in a supermarket/school/clinic/home.... if they are having a bad day or become inflamed by some prejudicial vitriol, that's a real solution to things, right? That'll really make this world better and solve things - yup, stash your glock right next to your liquor cabinet, your beer cooler and your Fox News, right where your kids can get at it too. Lock'n'load buddy - I'm staying far away from you.

JIm said...

Hi Robert, Here are a few thoughts from "Old Tom". Again, I suggest you read quickly, since the censor continues to lurk.
---------------------------------

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government.
Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms.
Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.
Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.
Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
Thomas Jefferson

Anonymous said...

Much like quoting from the bible I wonder what those T.J. quotes are surrounded by. As in what context is he speaking and to whom is his audience. What worked in the bible doesn't work today, at least not in the grand ole US of A, we don't stone our wives if they have affairs. It may have been fine back in the "good old days" but we grew and saw the error of our ways. Some day, I pray, we do the same with other written documents and understand that we need to grow beyond some of the literalism that some hold so dear.
Caitlin

Robert G. Zuckerman said...

Amen, well said Caitlin...Robert

Anonymous said...

Thank you Robert.
Caitlin

JIm said...

Caitlin,

You epitomise the thinking that frightens Tea Party Folks and many Republicans. Your statment illustrates the need for a grand national debate on what America is and what it should become.

Anonymous said...

Jim,

You epitomize the thinking that frightens Liberals and Democrats. I'm afraid there will never be a grand national debate, because it's always quote quote quote, instead of thinking about our children's futures and our fellow man whether they look or think like us, so....

Caitlin

JIm said...

Caitlin,
Actually we are in the midst of the debate. Obama's first two years and a fortuitus rant by Rick Santelli kicked it off. Obama and the Democrats won the first round. Round two has begun in the House and may spread to the Senate. We the people may participate by supporting or opposing our congressional representatives. It is possible that the opponents of big government expansion will win before the next election, but unlikely. A change of presidents will most likely be necessary. It will be an interesting debate and I suspect will display a new renewed interest in US Constitutional governance.

PS The fear that Liberals and Democrats have for a renewal of Constitutional governance is well founded.