I don't consider myself a Republican.
I am a registered "unenrolled" voter--in Massachusetts we don't have "independents." As I get older (and perhaps wiser), I find myself voting for fewer Democrats and for more Republicans. But, I am hardly a Party Voter. By that I mean, I don't automatically vote for a Republican in an election because he/she must have a similar philisophy to me.
You see, to me that's the rub.
Parties don't really have a philisophy. They may claim to have one, but I don't think they really do. Or, can. They're in the business of getting elected. Elected officials have to serve their consitutents, who often are quite diverse and who often have incompatible views and wishes.
I don't envy politicians who must confront this problem each day. Now, don't misunderstand me, I don't really like how most handle this challenge. In fact, I think most of them end up whoring for whoever shouts the loudest and pays them the most in contributions or votes.
What am I then? I think I'm a Conservative. And, in this day and age, despite the overheated rhetoric from the Left, a Conservative isn't a bigot, a racist, a homophobe, anti-immigration, and religious zealot. No. In fact, while I'm sure some who these labels apply to (for real), agree with some of the views held by Conservatives, they don't represent the vision and philisophy of a Conservative. (And, I have news for you, there are just as many in the Liberal camp who those labels apply to as well. It doesn't define their philosophy either.)
What do I mean by Conservative? Well, to me, a Conservative is one who can view the world with a bit of historical perspective. A Conservative is one who has the ability to take an idea that has become many's "conventional wisdom" and critically evaluate it. A Conservative is one who realizes that the passage of time and the notion of "progress" might not necessarily go hand in hand.
What am I talking about. When I was younger, there was such a thing as right and wrong. When I was younger, schools tought us match, english, history, science, and related disciplines. When I was younger, children dressed-up when they should, were tought manners, were punished when they did wrong, and were part of a family and a family's traditions. When I was younger, children were allowed to be children and to learn from the mistakes children made.
Saying "under God" in the Pledge of Allegiance should not hurt a reasonable person. Saying "Merry Christmas" should not hurt a reasonable person. A man's holding a door open for a woman should not hurt a reasonable person. Officially defining a marriage as between one man and one woman (while providing similar benefits to others) should not hurt a reasonable person. Having the words "In God We Trust" on our currency should not hurt a reasonable person. And, the list could continue...
Is "should not hurt a reasonable person" the best standard. Maybe not. But, how about looking at the benefit of the traditions? You see, it seems that this part of the argument is never discussed.
What is the benefit for our traditions and customs? Human continuity. Historical linkage. We are descendants of a great past. A past to be revered. A past without mistakes, injustices and shame? Of course not. Our past has many dark moments, but the light is far brighter and significant.
Human beings are, of course, human. As humans, we will always make mistakes. What makes us different than many other creatures, is that we can reason. We can recognize our mistakes nad learn from them. We can (and should) always try to make things better and to leave the world and our nation better off than when we found it.
But, don't forget, sometimes our "solutions" are mistakes themselves. Sometimes, our "mistakes" aren't actually mistakes at all, they just look that way at the time. So, I urge perspective and critical thought. Don't assume that all of our old ways are wrong. Many were not. In fact, they were the product of thousands of years of human development.
Aren't we quite arrogant to assume that we must know best since we live today?
There was a healthy reassessment of our society and culture in the '60's. Young people were empowered and were able to take some responsibility for themselves. Those aren't bad things.
What they did with it and what has come to pass since, however, isn't necessarily progress. It seems that it became fashionable to question everything and to believe that there was always a better, newer way to do things. To believe as gospel, that the ways of our ancesters was primitive and could not possible be best.
What I see, is a growing realization that many of the customs, practices, lessons, and values that our nation once stood for, might not be so bad afterall. There is a growing realization that the alternative view isn't progress at all, but rather a bizarre and once-unimaginable caricature of a philosophy.
An American philosophy that is fundamentally un-American can never succeed. You see, for most of us, America is a great country. Not perfect, but on-balance, the most perfect in a couple of hundred years.
Don't you wonder why so many millions have always wanted to come here and make it there home? Is there anything wrong with wanting to keep it so?
Saturday, April 16, 2005
Wednesday, April 06, 2005
The Pope. RIP.
The passing of the Pope, not long after Ronald Reagan, and likely not too long until Margaret Thatcher, is historic and sad.
It's interesting to not how little pubic recognition such important and unique figures receive by most "opinion makers" while they're still alive.
Instead, criticism and faults are usually given equal (or greater) prominence when they are discussed, than their tremendous accomplishments. Even when they're gone, only grudging respect and acknowledgement is often noted by those who are writing the first draft of history.
Sounds depressing and frustrating, doesn't it? But, don't fret. We are on the cusp of a brand new information-age. No longer does the New York Times, the Washington Post, ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN/MSNBC, Newsweek, Time, NPR, PBS, etc., have the loudest and singular voice on events of the day. No, my friend, that time is OVER.
CSPAN, FOX News, the internet, talk-radio, bloggers, etc., can't help but be heard. And, it's not that they have "overpowered" the other voices. It's just that their word is true to many of us who shook our heads when what was reported was inconsistent with what we saw/lived/knew to be true.
I live in the real world. I don't live in NY City or Washington DC (although I did go to law school and live in DC not too long ago). I don't only work with/eat with/live with/socialize with/commiserate with people just like myself. And, I'm not speaking of race, ethnicity or religtion, but rather about ideology.
My job takes me to the depths of our culture. I am always mixing in a world of educated elites in the legal profession, and a world of illegal aliens, welfare recipients, drug addicts, drunks, common thiefs, violent sociopaths, and a great majority of regular folk just like me.
People who try to live by the golden rule and treat others as they'd like to be treated themselves.
Death reminds us that life is short. It's precious and should be relished.
No one is promised tomorrow. Whether there's something more once it's over is something we'll never know for sure until we get there. But, we can be sure that the right way to live, is to live a good life.
Listen to the world. Watch it as it spins. Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight.
We're alive and we're alive in exciting and momentus times.
This world we know might be heading in the right direction for a change. Isn't that nice?
It's interesting to not how little pubic recognition such important and unique figures receive by most "opinion makers" while they're still alive.
Instead, criticism and faults are usually given equal (or greater) prominence when they are discussed, than their tremendous accomplishments. Even when they're gone, only grudging respect and acknowledgement is often noted by those who are writing the first draft of history.
Sounds depressing and frustrating, doesn't it? But, don't fret. We are on the cusp of a brand new information-age. No longer does the New York Times, the Washington Post, ABC/CBS/NBC/CNN/MSNBC, Newsweek, Time, NPR, PBS, etc., have the loudest and singular voice on events of the day. No, my friend, that time is OVER.
CSPAN, FOX News, the internet, talk-radio, bloggers, etc., can't help but be heard. And, it's not that they have "overpowered" the other voices. It's just that their word is true to many of us who shook our heads when what was reported was inconsistent with what we saw/lived/knew to be true.
I live in the real world. I don't live in NY City or Washington DC (although I did go to law school and live in DC not too long ago). I don't only work with/eat with/live with/socialize with/commiserate with people just like myself. And, I'm not speaking of race, ethnicity or religtion, but rather about ideology.
My job takes me to the depths of our culture. I am always mixing in a world of educated elites in the legal profession, and a world of illegal aliens, welfare recipients, drug addicts, drunks, common thiefs, violent sociopaths, and a great majority of regular folk just like me.
People who try to live by the golden rule and treat others as they'd like to be treated themselves.
Death reminds us that life is short. It's precious and should be relished.
No one is promised tomorrow. Whether there's something more once it's over is something we'll never know for sure until we get there. But, we can be sure that the right way to live, is to live a good life.
Listen to the world. Watch it as it spins. Hug your loved ones a little tighter tonight.
We're alive and we're alive in exciting and momentus times.
This world we know might be heading in the right direction for a change. Isn't that nice?
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Sunday Morning and I'm Playing with RSS Readers for Pocket PC
Title pretty much says it all. I think I really like RSS readers for my pocket pc. But, since these apps are fairly new and still evolving, I'm trying to get a feel for them.
To be honest, I haven't really found one that I love. I've been using PocketRSS and Egress, but each has flaws for me. In general, I much prefer the look of Egress, but the functionality of PRSS. PRSS just looks so UGLY on my VGA screen. They should call it PRSSUGLY. (OK, a bit of a stretch--just being silly on a Sunday.)
I just posted a POLL on the topic at Aximsite, and I look forward to seeing what people there think. Go check it out if you want: http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=78634
To be honest, I haven't really found one that I love. I've been using PocketRSS and Egress, but each has flaws for me. In general, I much prefer the look of Egress, but the functionality of PRSS. PRSS just looks so UGLY on my VGA screen. They should call it PRSSUGLY. (OK, a bit of a stretch--just being silly on a Sunday.)
I just posted a POLL on the topic at Aximsite, and I look forward to seeing what people there think. Go check it out if you want: http://www.aximsite.com/boards/showthread.php?t=78634
Saturday, April 02, 2005
The Minuteman Project and Our Looming Immigration Disaster
Have you heard about the Minuteman Project which is about to begin out West? http://www.minutemanproject.com/
Citizens who are fed up with ILLEGAL immigration decided they had to act. I, for one, support them completely.
Ours is a land of immigrants. And, this is a wonderful thing.
Our nation could never have accomplished what it's accomplished without our constant replenishment of talented, hard-working, American-wannabes who come to our nation. I love this. And, I would venture to say, so do MOST of us who are very concerned about the problem of illegal immigration.
For our nation to continue to be strong and good, we need to have some control over what our country is and is becoming. The core values, principles and beliefs which inspired and united us are being whittled away and destroyed.
Why can't we utilize our LEGAL immigration policy? Is it racist or cruel to expect those who want to come to our country to obey our laws? Is it wrong to try to keep a criminal out and to encourage a law-abiding person to come? Isn't that how it used to be?
Many of us are the children and grandchildren of immigrants. Most are the children and grandchildren of legal immigrants. Those who went through proper channels and waited in line and did what America expected. And, the nation and the immigrants were better off for it!
Illegal immigration is not something we must accept, or be afraid to try and stop. The Minutemen are not standing on the border and keeping illegals out. They are showing anyone who'll look how bad the problem is, and how poor our government is doing at addressing the problem. President Bush and the Republican leadership is making a huge mistake in ignoring and misleading us about this problem.
The problem for the government, though, is that the people know the truth. Too many of us regular people see for ourselves what's happening and can't understand why we let it happen.
This is an issue that truly crosses party and ideological lines. Almost all Americans want this to stop.
And, almost all Americans want to encourage healthy immigration so that our Nation continues to progress as it always has. But, if things continue, a disaster is waiting to happen.
How can we expect Al Queda (or other enemies) to NOT cross the border to strike us? Both Mexico and Canada are complicit in the problem and there will be hell to pay when it "bites us in the ass."
As an attorney, and as an attorney who does a great deal of indigent criminal defense work in busy urban courts, I have seen what our "open-border" policies have wrought.
If most people understood how much of their tax money was being spend to provide government services and funds to people who are unwilling to obey our laws, assimilate into our culture, and give-back to the land they take from, I think they'd be aghast!
The governmental funds spent on illegal immigrants is astounding and unreported. Those of us who see it first hand have thousands of stories to tell--if anyone would listen.
So, I support the Minuteman Project and hope that their work helps to shed light on this problem and makes it impossible for our leaders to ignore. Rep. Tom Tancredo is a hero for working so hard to bring this issue to the fore!
For a wonderful blog about our illegal immigration problem and the hero's who are fighting to protect us, check out one of my hero's (Michelle Malkin) new blogs. http://michellemalkin.com/immigration/
Citizens who are fed up with ILLEGAL immigration decided they had to act. I, for one, support them completely.
Ours is a land of immigrants. And, this is a wonderful thing.
Our nation could never have accomplished what it's accomplished without our constant replenishment of talented, hard-working, American-wannabes who come to our nation. I love this. And, I would venture to say, so do MOST of us who are very concerned about the problem of illegal immigration.
For our nation to continue to be strong and good, we need to have some control over what our country is and is becoming. The core values, principles and beliefs which inspired and united us are being whittled away and destroyed.
Why can't we utilize our LEGAL immigration policy? Is it racist or cruel to expect those who want to come to our country to obey our laws? Is it wrong to try to keep a criminal out and to encourage a law-abiding person to come? Isn't that how it used to be?
Many of us are the children and grandchildren of immigrants. Most are the children and grandchildren of legal immigrants. Those who went through proper channels and waited in line and did what America expected. And, the nation and the immigrants were better off for it!
Illegal immigration is not something we must accept, or be afraid to try and stop. The Minutemen are not standing on the border and keeping illegals out. They are showing anyone who'll look how bad the problem is, and how poor our government is doing at addressing the problem. President Bush and the Republican leadership is making a huge mistake in ignoring and misleading us about this problem.
The problem for the government, though, is that the people know the truth. Too many of us regular people see for ourselves what's happening and can't understand why we let it happen.
This is an issue that truly crosses party and ideological lines. Almost all Americans want this to stop.
And, almost all Americans want to encourage healthy immigration so that our Nation continues to progress as it always has. But, if things continue, a disaster is waiting to happen.
How can we expect Al Queda (or other enemies) to NOT cross the border to strike us? Both Mexico and Canada are complicit in the problem and there will be hell to pay when it "bites us in the ass."
As an attorney, and as an attorney who does a great deal of indigent criminal defense work in busy urban courts, I have seen what our "open-border" policies have wrought.
If most people understood how much of their tax money was being spend to provide government services and funds to people who are unwilling to obey our laws, assimilate into our culture, and give-back to the land they take from, I think they'd be aghast!
The governmental funds spent on illegal immigrants is astounding and unreported. Those of us who see it first hand have thousands of stories to tell--if anyone would listen.
So, I support the Minuteman Project and hope that their work helps to shed light on this problem and makes it impossible for our leaders to ignore. Rep. Tom Tancredo is a hero for working so hard to bring this issue to the fore!
For a wonderful blog about our illegal immigration problem and the hero's who are fighting to protect us, check out one of my hero's (Michelle Malkin) new blogs. http://michellemalkin.com/immigration/
Raining Cats and Dogs.
What a mess! It's been a cold, snowy and LONG Winter. Now that it's Spring, it looks like it's gonna be very wet, too.
I just got back from the veterinarian's office to get some vaccines for my dog and for one of my cats. They both were pretty well-behaved, although my dog is really a big ol' wimp. He found the most inaccessible corner of the room when he realized he was about to get a shot in the behind. Maybe he was just showing the tech his best side?
I just got back from the veterinarian's office to get some vaccines for my dog and for one of my cats. They both were pretty well-behaved, although my dog is really a big ol' wimp. He found the most inaccessible corner of the room when he realized he was about to get a shot in the behind. Maybe he was just showing the tech his best side?
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
