While arguably sociopathic ‘Liberal’ marionettes such as Chris Mathews, the Daily Kos’ Marcos Moulitsas, and too many other alleged journalists and politicians to name, indulge in their favorite rants against conservatives and Sarah Palin in particular, a question arises. How many of these charming types have ever read any history, and if they did, how many understood its utility, or even its meaning. Winston Churchill famously remarked, paraphrasing Santayana’s earlier observation that: “Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.” Unfortunately – given the NEA’s current philosophy that American history is effectively only a story about a bunch of ‘dead white men’, and to be largely ignored, the opportunity for “learning” from history in Public Schools is effectively blocked. And yet the combination of Cicero’s surprising comment from 2065 years ago and that of Churchill/Santayana is extremely arresting.
Of course, blaming education has become (a reasonably accurate) approach to discussing the ills of today’s society, only really useful, however, when the role of parenting is included and emphasized. But what appalls is the outright hatred and visceral emotion that is routinely displayed by theoretically adult and (at least once-upon-a-time) professional journalists, academics and politicians against whatever group is opposing their “settled” doctrines. This, of course, includes the view that their own “Progressive” agenda is provided ex cathedra and not subject to criticism.
The Tucson carnage – as a subject to focus on – clearly has become a cause célèbre for every half baked media and Hollywood personality with access to print or ether. Not one of them appear to have the faintest inkling that their rants make high school sophomores appear to be Mensa candidates. And that includes the Fraud-in-Chief who has appointed himself (as usual) the focal point of the issues – and their solution. Even Sarah Palin has been sucked into the morass of blame and finger pointing, very regrettably responding to her slanderous critics as though she had something to defend! And she doesn’t!!!
Getting back to Cicero’s beginning quote, the point of this somewhat startling inclusion is really to demonstrate that French adage “the more things change, the more they stay the same”. Indeed – as our witless Progressive self styled adversaries would claim – and are claiming – “it’s all Bush’s fault”… “It’s all Rush’s fault… It’s all Sarah’s fault” – like those Mensa candidates above.
If the Left – the arrogantly self-designated guardians of speech and behavior – ever graduated from declaring themselves the sole source of insight into the human spirit, and recognized that for likely at least 5,000 years the same shrill scream of sanctimonious outrage is repeated in EVERY generation, can there be a sensible platform for discussion. In effect they must adjust their capabilities to understand that only when humanity’s fallibilities are recognized and accepted – as was the cosmic achievement of the Founders of this great Nation – can there ever be civilized and coherent discussion.
How different is Cicero’s cry for rational and adult political discourse
How different is Cicero’s cry for rational and adult political discourse than those famous voices in the Federalist? How likely that his words are met today with any more positive response than the few present voices, crying in the wilderness for sense – balance and honesty? Based on the past record of 2065 years – ZERO. What is left?
TW Childs is a writer for Canada Free Press
