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What's
up, Essay? |
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On Politics and the
State |
| The liberals who so
fervently argue against war with Iraq can't face up to the fact that
there is a liberal argument for war - humanitarianism. CLICK!
War with Iraq? A whole lot can go wrong. But as Fareed
Zakaria notes, a whole lot can go right. Civilians may suffer
during the war effort, no doubt. Still, most analysts
would agree that the resulting can only be better than their current
condition/environment. Isolationism is easy... but not always
right or beneficial in the long run. CLICK!
China: A World Power. The interplay between our two
governments will require a good sense of realpolitik.
Remember... personal morality is different from state morality (er...if
there is such a thing). The global landscape is different after
9-11 but this essay still sums up the overall situation. CLICK!
In many circles, feminism has taken a turn for the
less-than-good. According to George Will, it has been hijacked
- departed from the aims of its much-celebrated
founders/proponents. CLICK! Man!
The French and their politics. Just stupid. Of course,
they love the attention when they rabble-rouse and act self-righteous
but what good have they done in the world? Really, not a
thing! But they wanna flex their muscles. We'll pretend to
care what they think. In the UN, multilateralism means
taking forever to vote on anything and in the end, making the US pay
for 80% of fiscal and manpower costs. CLICK! Different
Times call for Different Virtues. Not an assault on personal morality
so stay calm. But social, political, economic shifts
require new ways of seeing/thinking. Balance or tension? CLICK! |
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On God and Truth |
| Evangelical Christians are the
bottom-feeders of academia. But they wouldn't know it. The
sad state of the evangelical mind is exposed but change comes, albeit slowly. Disturbing yet hopeful. CLICK!
Read this one.
Christianity (as a whole, not speaking strictly of Evangelical
faith) is undergoing dramatic mutations unseen since the days of the
Reformation. The next century of Christianity may mark the world
in greater ways than Islam. CLICK!
A companion piece to Jenkin's previous essay. Insightful,
honest interview regarding a global shift in Christendom.
Thoughts on all aspects of Christian faith. Whatever your take,
read and consider it. CLICK! Impulsiveness or Discipleship? Insights from Oswald
Chambers. Not really an essay but hey, it's my website.
<smile> CLICK! Q&A
with Dallas Willard. Again, not an essay but worth reading if
you have the time. Writer of The Divine Conspiracy.
CLICK! |
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This and That
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| We have democratized elitism in this
country. Now, everybody can be a snob! An
essay by the wry, amusing, always perceptive writer of Bobos in
Paradise (read it!), David Brooks. A quick
read. CLICK!
Here's another by David Brooks (a fan here). This was a cover
story for the Atlantic about a year ago. In the past, it was all
about the "organization man" and his commitment to his
company and middle-of-the-road American ideals. Bland but
successful. Now are the days of the "organization
kid". Read this. Whether or not your kids'll go to
Princeton, this essay sheds light on youth culture bred for
success. Remember the cliche: today's youth are
tomorrow's... CLICK!
(Worth your time)
The Right loves to blast the negative influence of the media on
youth. Today's topic: a boy who set himself on fire after watching Jackass.
A touchy issue for sure. Still, as with most things, we need not
be reactionary or misinformed. CLICK!
A Kenyon College commencement speech by none other than
the most private, Bill Watterson. What he won't do for the public,
he does for his alma mater. Not necessarily a rousing
speech but still a very interesting read. Delve inside the life
and mind of a very funny, smart cartoonist. CLICK! |
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Grand
Pantry
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| Not one to be intentionally
biased, here's brain-food from the right and left. Some of the
content can be annoying but hey, always good to check out new
ideas, right (er... left)?
But honestly? Liberals are somewhat out
there. Not Democrats, mind you. The Libs are so out of
touch with reality. Over the past few years, a number of
high-profile liberals have actually ditched the group for that very
reason.
So, am I a liberal Republican or a
conservative Democrat? I'm bipolar. <smile>
And you wanna know who's cool? George Will. I almost always
agree with this man. What a mind. Who's bogus? Don't
take offense... Anna Quindlen. Will delineates his ideas
logically, through reason. Quindlen just makes emotional
appeals and stands on assumptions. Very politically
correct. Bleah. Fareed Zakaria? As with Will,
you can feel Zakaria's brain pulsating. Unnerving to say the
least. <smile> I don't always agree with his
ideas but I'll always read them.
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| My Monthly Devotionals
(just kidding!) |
| The
Atlantic and Harper's
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| Who's Left?
... |
Who's Right?
... |
|
 Here's
a mug of David Brooks. Editor for the Weekly Standard. A good
essayist regardless of your or my point of view.
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The
New Republic hates
the W.S.
Fun read. Articles
almost seem tongue-in-cheek. Do you really want a totalitarian
regime in America? Pinochet is benign?!? Losing touch with
reality. Fun! |
The
Weekly Standard hates
the N.R.
Fun read. Home of
David Brooks. Fun guy. I know it seems biased but the
moderate right just seems pretty reasonable. According to polls,
they capture a good percent of American ideas/thoughts. |
| Mother
Jones (independent?
not really.) |
The
New American (conservative.
fully.) |
| New
York Times (won't
admit it!) |
Wall
Street Journal (expensive
but good) |
| ...the blatant
ones left unsaid |
...the rest
are just too hokey |
