Monday, October 18, 2004

The end of the age of reason There are times when even a politophile (or whatever you'd call it) just wants to fold his tent and slip away. Just stroll away from the issues that matter, and try and have what fun I can before the end comes. I'm getting that feeling again as the US election hurtles ever closer, and Salon writes two terrifying pieces. 10:43:16 PM    comment []

Dispersit superbos That Ron Suskind piece in the New York Times Magazine today is worth reading in full. It reinforces one of my central political views, that easy agreement is dangerous, and powerful people agreeing with each other is even more dangerous. Debate is not, to put it another way, a means of gaining agreement for the right view, it is a way of making the policy (or whatever it is) better, just by talking it through. The president who comes across in Mr Suskind's piece is solitary and proud. Perhaps these are appealing traits in a leader - they seem to have played well in kings and princes throughout history. But is it a Christian attitude? I'm sure I remember singing something in my school chapel that went: When I survey the wond'rous cross On which the Prince of Glory died My richest gain I count but loss And pour contempt on all my pride. 12:14:06 AM    comment []