Andrew Sullivan's Blog, page 2824
June 23, 2010
From Those Who Gave You The Bush Presidency
Mark Steyn, whose sense of irony seems to have deserted him:
What is fascinating about the age of Obama, and about what Senator Fulbright was saying, is what I call, "the persistence of the monarchical urge" — two and a third centuries after George III was given the boot, there are a lot of people who want a strong, charismatic leader who knows what's best for you. I don't. I like citizen legislators, and I don't regard the president of the United States as "my leader."
United...
Holding Obama's Feet The Fire, With Prudence
Scott Payne begs me to acknowledge that "the criticism progressives keep hurling at the President and many of
their fellow Democrats is a feature of American politics, not a bug." Bernstein says much of what needs to be said in response:
If one believes that the only reason a policy is not enacted must bethat the president did not favor it, then one is going to make a lot ofpoor choices in deciding how to advocate for policies. Indeed, thehallmark of the American system of government is that...
Mental Health Break
"The Music Scene" from Anthony Francisco Schepperd on Vimeo.
An animated mind melts into a post-human New York where TV and animals rule. All cast to the sincerely melodic soul of Blockhead's 'The Music Scene.'
Vimeo - Animation - Music Scene - Multimedia - Development Frameworks
Live-Tweeting A Firing Squad, Ctd
A reader writes:
Your reader wrote, "If the people of Utah could see the executions, and they were horrified, they would demand change, and executions would stop."
I have heard this argument before, but there is absolutely no evidence to suggest that people witnessing an execution would be horrified. Executions in the past were public. And was the effect to cause a horror of capital punishment? No, it became an opportunity for a picnic lunch to let the kids watch. People who advance this...
Understanding The Tea Parties, Ctd
J.M. Bernstein answers critics:
In a highly recommended response that was scathingly critical of the Tea Party, BR of Times Square (5)stated that, nonetheless, "Their [the Tea Party's:] motivations andtheir passions are noble." This sort of generous recognition ofsomething worthwhile underlying Tea Party excesses was an element inlots of left-leaning responses. I take the motivations and passionsthat BR find noble to be those that bespeak a desire for moredemocracy. Left and right are in angry...
McChrystal Out; COIN Stays Reax
Putting Petraeus in command in Afghanistan is only the first
step. Now, what to do about Ambassador Eikenberry and special envoy Holbrooke? My second big concern is what happens to Iraq now. As
readers of this blog know, I am very worried about trends there. If Iraq begins
to fall apart, and Petraeus is busy in Kabul, who is going to step on? At the
very least, they should consider extending General Odierno's time there.
Today Obama clarified what [the:] July 2011...
Nice Ascot, Ctd
A reader writes:
While that South Park clip is great, you guys might appreciate this clip from Mr. Show, with Bob Odenkirk and David Cross. It's one of those uncanny examples of life imitating art.
BobOdenkirk - David Cross - Mr. Show - England - Berkshire
Dissent Of The Day
A reader writes:
"Will Palin retract her lie? Does the Pope crap on the tortured souls of hundreds of raped deaf children?"
Okay, Andrew. That deserves the Moore Award. (Thanks to Bill Donohue, such criticism of the Pope seems to be best qualified as "left wing". But I'm just as happy to nominate you for the Malkin if you prefer). The comment about the pope and the sexual abuse victims certainly falls under the criteria of shrill, hyperbolic, divisive, bitter, and intemperate. Moreover...
Tea Partier Or Soccer Fan?
As this single-serving site suggests, the two groups have more in common than the far right would want to admit.
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