What will the future hold for us? I am more and more discouraged, worried that the loss of democracy is now a real possibility as debate degrades and debases. On that point, I would only argue that that is one aspect of Biden's tenure that cannot be criticized. You have here an essay to consider deeply and I look forward to comments on it ... Thank you so for the mention of my essay on Woolf's _To the Lighthouse_.
On that point, I do wonder what all the politicians and commentators, and whatever Musk might be or become and all that you mention are reading. Sullivan and Friedman we know are deep readers. My point may be off center but I firmly believe that literature deepens our minds and opens our hearts ... As one example: No matter what Obama did or didn't achieve, his reading always revealed the man's foundation in thought ... I don't see that in Trump in any way whatsoever--and that perhaps defines the difference of the two prospective candidates for me. One reads Seamus Heaney for sure. The other only his own self-absorption ...
The Biden issue is also driving me nuts along the same line of thought you lay out here. How is it even possible that the entire party's leadership refuses to understand the enormity of the risk they're taking by just lining up behind Biden's candidacy against the highest possible stakes imaginable--losing this election isn't just an existential threat to the country but specifically to their party; they could find themselves effectively barred from power. So even in the selfish sense of safeguarding their own interests and patronage networks, it's the height of foolishness to stay the course. It intensifies the sense that the party is weak and intimidated, which is precisely the opposite of what they need to communicate right now.
Great structural critique of Musk. One thing I find frustrating about political tribalism is that the Left normally talk about structures but often make very personal critiques of the villain du jour...and the Right who talk about personal responsibility make structural excuses of their populist excesses.
If we ever meet in person one day - and I hope we do! - I owe you an expensive cocktail for making my day. "Gavin Newsom: a traitor we can't trust." Hallelujah! I can't stand that half-plastic ken doll of a governor, shitting all over my state while thanks to garbage mayors like him beautiful SF has to hire poop patrols and make SF the laughing stock of the country. I hope millions of Democrats share your sentiment so that it influences Californian opinion and they nuke his political career so far out of orbit they'll have to travel to Andromeda galaxy to find him again.
I hope your party can find a reasonable candidate, and I mean that sincerely. That person might lead the country; I don't want either candidate to be an airhead. But Biden is heavily corrupt: not the average, by-the-books corruption but corrupt to the bone and in ways that must have compromised national security numerous times. Dems deny this fact at their own peril. If Dems don't want to listen to "right-wing talking points" or the details that will come out with the imminent impeachment, then I hope they at least listen to the spot-on observations you're making here. By bringing up these things, you're already braver than 99% of the Dems I've ever known.
It doesn't surprise me that they're keeping Biden as the nominee. The ultimate question is: why would the Party so blatantly ignore the desires of their voter base and keep Biden there? If I leave out some of my more cynical conclusions, it's: 1) corruption, 2) a campaign strategy, 3) outright stupidity, or 4) a mix of the above.
What will the future hold for us? I am more and more discouraged, worried that the loss of democracy is now a real possibility as debate degrades and debases. On that point, I would only argue that that is one aspect of Biden's tenure that cannot be criticized. You have here an essay to consider deeply and I look forward to comments on it ... Thank you so for the mention of my essay on Woolf's _To the Lighthouse_.
On that point, I do wonder what all the politicians and commentators, and whatever Musk might be or become and all that you mention are reading. Sullivan and Friedman we know are deep readers. My point may be off center but I firmly believe that literature deepens our minds and opens our hearts ... As one example: No matter what Obama did or didn't achieve, his reading always revealed the man's foundation in thought ... I don't see that in Trump in any way whatsoever--and that perhaps defines the difference of the two prospective candidates for me. One reads Seamus Heaney for sure. The other only his own self-absorption ...
The Biden issue is also driving me nuts along the same line of thought you lay out here. How is it even possible that the entire party's leadership refuses to understand the enormity of the risk they're taking by just lining up behind Biden's candidacy against the highest possible stakes imaginable--losing this election isn't just an existential threat to the country but specifically to their party; they could find themselves effectively barred from power. So even in the selfish sense of safeguarding their own interests and patronage networks, it's the height of foolishness to stay the course. It intensifies the sense that the party is weak and intimidated, which is precisely the opposite of what they need to communicate right now.
Great structural critique of Musk. One thing I find frustrating about political tribalism is that the Left normally talk about structures but often make very personal critiques of the villain du jour...and the Right who talk about personal responsibility make structural excuses of their populist excesses.
Thanks for the cogent, even-handed set of arguments of paramount importance -- something I expect on Castalia.
If we ever meet in person one day - and I hope we do! - I owe you an expensive cocktail for making my day. "Gavin Newsom: a traitor we can't trust." Hallelujah! I can't stand that half-plastic ken doll of a governor, shitting all over my state while thanks to garbage mayors like him beautiful SF has to hire poop patrols and make SF the laughing stock of the country. I hope millions of Democrats share your sentiment so that it influences Californian opinion and they nuke his political career so far out of orbit they'll have to travel to Andromeda galaxy to find him again.
I hope your party can find a reasonable candidate, and I mean that sincerely. That person might lead the country; I don't want either candidate to be an airhead. But Biden is heavily corrupt: not the average, by-the-books corruption but corrupt to the bone and in ways that must have compromised national security numerous times. Dems deny this fact at their own peril. If Dems don't want to listen to "right-wing talking points" or the details that will come out with the imminent impeachment, then I hope they at least listen to the spot-on observations you're making here. By bringing up these things, you're already braver than 99% of the Dems I've ever known.
It doesn't surprise me that they're keeping Biden as the nominee. The ultimate question is: why would the Party so blatantly ignore the desires of their voter base and keep Biden there? If I leave out some of my more cynical conclusions, it's: 1) corruption, 2) a campaign strategy, 3) outright stupidity, or 4) a mix of the above.