American Made Irony

This is a pic that really needs no comment. It is such sweet comeuppance.



















The Old Dog

Please, be attentive, be intelligent, be reasonable, be responsible.

You have no business to believe me.

I ask you to believe nothing that you cannot verify for yourself. . .

If you have not a critical mind, your visit here is useless.

G.I. Gurdjieff

Parochial or Universalist?

Faith Shouldn't Make Policy

Saturday, November 24, 2007; A16

I was perplexed by Virginia Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell's comments in opposition to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's decision to eliminate state matching funds for abstinence-only programs ["Va. GOP Assails Kaine on Sex-Ed," Metro, Nov. 21].

He said of the governor, "He is a Catholic, and I am a Catholic, and I know our church teaches abstinence. I am puzzled by his decision."

Since when should the teachings of a religious faith determine public policies? I expect the attorney general of Virginia to know better.

IAN THOMPSON

Washington

With which I responed . . .

lanternbearer wrote:

It is a component. It was the way of the Founding Fathers tempered by a strong dose of Enlightenment and the beginnings of ideas about co-creation in a non-theistic way. The wings of intelligence and practicality are parochial and universalist. They support and drive a body of knowledge and ideation that is best applied in balance. It is a science, that balance of ideation.

I find parochial certitude as irritating a scientific ineptitude. Politics is a science. The AG of VA is both a poor parochialist and a poor scientist. He confuses justice and enlightenment with popularity.

LB

11/25/2007 10:55:25 AM

The public display of ones pious ideation is no different now than it was in the court of the Temple in Jerusalem. I make this parallel from a historical perspective. Historically there was a movement afoot that took on the Temple parochialist of the day. It was defined and personalized in the imagery of a populist rebbi, Yeshua. The rest you know from a Roman perspective. Constantine recognized the power of the populist idea. He coopted the the symbols and myth for his purposes of statecraft. The parochial state system was renewed. It binds many today in error and fervor that has resulted in condemnation and rigid institutional paternalism. I grew up in that and then I grew out of that. You may also.

I AM

Lantern Bearer

Please, be attentive, be intelligent, be reasonable, be responsible.

You have no business to believe me.

I ask you to believe nothing that you cannot verify for yourself. . .

If you have not a critical mind, your visit here is useless.

G.I. Gurdjieff