tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7867112187125913607.post6285885718005219295..comments2023-11-03T02:47:54.900-05:00Comments on The Cumberland Post: Herbert Spencer vs. Elena KaganDapper Danhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01230099347154360809noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7867112187125913607.post-77524044406395014172010-05-25T14:43:34.983-05:002010-05-25T14:43:34.983-05:00People with careers in the Academy (like Kagan), s...<i>People with careers in the Academy (like Kagan), since they are constantly around young people, find it difficult to escape that youthful certainty and optimism. </i><br /><br />Your point is equally well-taken, Dan. I have <i>personal</i> experience in this space, unfortunately. My ex-, after many years of messing around in this field, that one, and the other, returned to the academic life and has a non-tenured position in the English department at a fairly large state university. She also regressed from being a sensible conservative to being a tree-huggin', granola eatin', peace/love (well, love... except for <i>certain</i> classes of human beans) type of the worst sort. Which pains me GREATLY, as she is raising our 13 year old son in this sorta environment. Alas. Alas...<br /><br />But. I hear ya. Loud and clear.Buckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05319116022465066060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7867112187125913607.post-22901226842625105132010-05-25T12:08:14.089-05:002010-05-25T12:08:14.089-05:00Buck, You have a point, a strong point about those...Buck, You have a point, a strong point about those sometimes embarrassing things we do in our youth. They should be taken with a grain of salt. <br /><br />But one of the views I've come to reluctantly (since it applied to me as well) is that the neurosis I call postmodern liberalism infects its hosts with a reluctance to face the responsibilities and reality of maturity, to accept the world as it is and to accept that some things about it and human nature can never be changed. <br /><br />As these hosts age, actual maturity is replaced with a constant yearning to stay in or return to that innocent "green" world of youthful promise and hope. People with careers in the Academy (like Kagan), since they are constantly around young people, find it difficult to escape that youthful certainty and optimism. <br /><br />I'm going to stop and turn this into a post for a later date. I think your point is well taken. All of us do crazy things in our youth we'd like to forget. But some of us never stop doing those things. <br /><br />I do love a good discussion/debate. Thanks for commenting. More later.Dapper Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01230099347154360809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7867112187125913607.post-687433621774490822010-05-25T10:30:00.200-05:002010-05-25T10:30:00.200-05:00...he examines Elena Kagan's college thesis......<i>...he examines Elena Kagan's college thesis...</i><br /><br />I think there should be a moratorium on trotting out ALL college theses and shouting "See!?!" Who the Hell is in their right mind at age 21 or 22, most especially after being subjected to prolonged indoctrination by the Academy? I might make an exception for doctoral dissertations, coz one is older by that point and (hopefully) has real-world experience. Other than that? Grain o' salt. BIG grain o' salt.<br /><br />Apropos of nuthin'... I always wanted to be a polymath. But I went off on too many tangents.Buckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05319116022465066060noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7867112187125913607.post-50483756065403159072010-05-25T02:01:46.820-05:002010-05-25T02:01:46.820-05:00Andy, I like your "glass half full" endi...Andy, I like your "glass half full" ending. So far the "balance" on the court has remained the same. Let's hope it stays that way till 2012.<br /><br />Barry, you're definitely right about dishes. And your definition of work as bringing order from chaos is well stated. As a matter of fact, if we do have a purpose on this earth, I think that's it.Dapper Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01230099347154360809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7867112187125913607.post-70091492977203870702010-05-25T00:17:47.791-05:002010-05-25T00:17:47.791-05:00The most Sisyphean task is washing dishes - actual...The most Sisyphean task is washing dishes - actually housecleaning generally - but any work satisfies some deep longing for bringing order from chaos.<br /><br />Kagan, like her boss, is a radical Marxist - no doubt about it in my mind.Jouberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04970872086435575755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7867112187125913607.post-46551738126442712982010-05-24T14:32:59.893-05:002010-05-24T14:32:59.893-05:00Dan, to comment on your latest post, we are in fir...Dan, to comment on your latest post, we are in firm agreement! No matter what you are "doing," even if needs doing again soon, progress is being made, and value is added.<br /><br />The sloth does not understand this. "Aw heck, why clean out the garage, it'll just get dirty again...why clean the toilet, move the pavers, etc...???" Activity is one of man's best friends. Take pictures.<br /><br />To comment on this post...I know you probabaly do not realize it, but one line from your post literally sent chills up my spine. ""In unity lies their only hope." Also note the s--- eating grin on her face as she stands next to her boss to be..."<br /><br />I am so afraid that you are so dang right that it truly is frightening. I've watched many SCOTUS Justices rise to the court. But, I've always had a sense that said Justices viewed The Constitution as their "boss." Even the ones that I despise. At least I had a feeling that their allegiance was to the Constitution (no matter how twisted their particular interpretation of it).<br /><br />But, (whether knowingly, or not) I think you've nailed it about Kagan. I have a sickening, gut-wrenching feeling that she probably really does view ObozO as her "boss." This is not a pretty thing. Of course, it could be worse. She could be replacing Thomas, or Scalia.<br /><br />How's that for a "glass half full" way to end this comment?Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10945901944078164054noreply@blogger.com