"...The enlightenment idealism of Europe was exported to the rebellious colonies and, in geographical isolation, it flourished. While Europeans themselves undermined their own great democratic project with their ancient hatreds and their aristocratic nostalgia, the naïve Americans kept the dream intact, building it into a written constitution (which was an 18th-century idea itself)..."
Europe has pretty much given up on the whole undertaking now: we tried it and it ended in the Terror. We went through our phase of proselytising democratic revolution with Bonaparte and look where that ended. Spreading freedom? All that amounts to is killing off one generation of autocrats and replacing them with another. Trust the people? They are just as likely to follow a fascist demagogue as to perpetuate the sacred principle of justice.
I've met a ridiculously rich couple both named courtney. Is it self-love or serendipity? I've never known. I hear them referred to in the third person as he-court and she-court.
I just noticed that you've 3/5 of the Fun Bunch posting, inc. the 2 (Unf, Bob) who are least likely to post. On top of which, Abu, you're around and commenting. I really think (a) you're obligated to post something, and (b) someone should contact Alemeida to post. Having all five post on the same day would be like seeing all of the planets align - surely something magical must happen as a result. Maybe even Dem victories in '06 and '08.
I though I commented on this. But yowza, ViagraSpam works for Akin Gump? Is a labor lawyer, and formerly at EEOC according to the click through? What is this world coming to?
I'm not asking.
My feeble brain parses it as A King Ump.
I'm NOT asking.
Posted by Tripp | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 2:52 PM
You have a main man called Spaztastik?
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 2:55 PM
Well, he's in the thread I linked to, and the truth is I'm kind of hoping he'll be my main man (or woman, for all I know).
Posted by ogged | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 2:58 PM
"...The enlightenment idealism of Europe was exported to the rebellious colonies and, in geographical isolation, it flourished. While Europeans themselves undermined their own great democratic project with their ancient hatreds and their aristocratic nostalgia, the naïve Americans kept the dream intact, building it into a written constitution (which was an 18th-century idea itself)..."
Europe has pretty much given up on the whole undertaking now: we tried it and it ended in the Terror. We went through our phase of proselytising democratic revolution with Bonaparte and look where that ended. Spreading freedom? All that amounts to is killing off one generation of autocrats and replacing them with another. Trust the people? They are just as likely to follow a fascist demagogue as to perpetuate the sacred principle of justice.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml;sessionid=XIFWQQLH1GGHRQFIQMFCM54AVCBQYJVC?xml=/opinion/2005/02/23/do2302.xml&sSheet=/opinion/2005/02/23/ixop.html
Posted by domo | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 4:28 PM
I've met a ridiculously rich couple both named courtney. Is it self-love or serendipity? I've never known. I hear them referred to in the third person as he-court and she-court.
Posted by cw | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 4:31 PM
Evelyn Waugh's first wife was also named "Evelyn," and their circle referred to them as he-evelyn and she-evelyn.
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 4:37 PM
Was she-evelyn's name also pronounced "EEvlin"?
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 4:43 PM
I just noticed that you've 3/5 of the Fun Bunch posting, inc. the 2 (Unf, Bob) who are least likely to post. On top of which, Abu, you're around and commenting. I really think (a) you're obligated to post something, and (b) someone should contact Alemeida to post. Having all five post on the same day would be like seeing all of the planets align - surely something magical must happen as a result. Maybe even Dem victories in '06 and '08.
Posted by SomeCallMeTim | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 4:44 PM
What time is it in Singapore?
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 5:09 PM
What time is it on the sun, Ben?
Posted by FL | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 5:16 PM
Dawn?
Posted by ben wolfson | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 5:17 PM
I though I commented on this. But yowza, ViagraSpam works for Akin Gump? Is a labor lawyer, and formerly at EEOC according to the click through? What is this world coming to?
Posted by benton | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 6:54 PM
EEOC in which administration? Labor lawyer doesn't always mean on the side of good. I would bet Akin does all managment-side.
Posted by Mithras | Link to this comment | 02-23-05 9:36 PM