Comments on: O-Bobma the Builder, or Why a philosophy of “yes we can” is as dangerous as it is embarrassing

By: Jammer voor je, Roger Kimball. « Make My Blog

Jammer voor je, Roger Kimball. « Make My Blog — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 12:22:13 +0000

[...] vaak gevraagd of ik nog steeds denk dat John McCain in november de winnaar wordt. Eind augustus heb ik gezegd: ‘John McCain gaat winnen, en niet met de hakken over de sloot, nee op z’n [...]

By: M. Douglas Wray - Blog Archive » So, so wrong (as usual)

M. Douglas Wray - Blog Archive » So, so wrong (as usual) — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 05:58:16 +0000

[...] Roger Kimball, Pajamas Media: [...]

By: Roger’s Rules » Obama and the Eternal Return

Roger’s Rules » Obama and the Eternal Return — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 11:41:43 +0000

[...] I do not despair. I’m on record saying that I thought McCain would win by a landslide. Of course, that was before the economy suddenly said good by to $3 trillion, a fact that bizarrely [...]

By: Roger’s Rules » America without apology

Roger’s Rules » America without apology — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:41:00 +0000

[...] McCain would win in November. Way back in ancient times, that is, toward the end of August, 2008, I said that “Personally, I think John McCain is going to win, and I’m not talking about a [...]

By: Roger’s Rules » ” . . . a pro-Obama advocacy organization that every day attacks the McCain campaign”

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 07:46:35 +0000

[...] been clear to me since summer that, barring some extraordinary scandal, McCain was going to win, and win handsomely, but if I had any doubts they were dispelled by Obama’s politics-as-usual [...]

By: Roger’s Rules » Jean Valjean = Obama: Who knew?

Roger’s Rules » Jean Valjean = Obama: Who knew? — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 13:27:07 +0000

[...] somewhere-over-the-rainbow-bama logo, his vacuous invocation of Change, his school-boy, Bob-the-Builder Latin motto? The brief answer is, No, it isn’t any sillier or more extreme. And the fact that Mr. Walsh [...]

By: Skeptic

Skeptic — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:40:12 +0000

I’ve learn from long experience to avoid trying to “teach” the other side, the one I disagree with, anything.

First, I might be wrong. (As G. K. Chesterton said, a fanatic isn’t someone who’s sure he’s right–we *all* are–but someone who cannot possibly imagine he could be wrong.) Second, most don’t listen to the other side anyway. Third, it only makes you look like a self-important twit to try and “prove” how much *smarter* and *more moral* and all-around *better* you are than everybody else on the other side, merely by holding the “correct” political opinion. (True, the left here had been more guilty than the right–one reason I’m a conservative–but there’s plenty of blame to go around on both sides.)

Fourth, and most important, since the discussion is merely about showing how smart you are as opposed to THEM, no real discussion of the issues exists, as people tend to pontificate on things they know nothing about.

Let’s take the middle east, for instance. Of all those who argue about the subject, “proving” how the other side is stupid and evil, can actually–oh, I don’t know–say “good morning” in Arabic? “May I have a cup of coffee” in Hebrew? Name three cities (apart from the Capitals) in Iraq, Israel, or Iran?

Or take the economy. How many who rant about either the “evil Bush tax cuts” or “creeping socialism” actually know, without looking it up, how much the tax cuts were to the nearest *100 billion*? Or what percentage of the economy is actually owned (or controlled indirectly, e.g., through military contracts) by the government–to the nearest *10%*?

…exactly.

Yes, it *is* fun to rant about things you know nothing about, but of which you’re dead certain nevertheless. Feels damn good, and God know I’ve been guilty of it myself. But take it from me, of long experience: it’s not worth the time and effort invested in it. As Epictetus–I think–said, experience *is* the best teacher, but unfortunately the tuition’s very high. I paid it in wasted time; don’t you do the same…

By: Skeptic

Skeptic — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:24:48 +0000

Tom Lehrer got it right (in his introduction to “the folk song army” song): it takes guts to stand up, like Obama, in a crowded hall and say that you’re FOR all those things everybody in the audience just HATES–like peace, and prosperity, and giving milk to babies, and so on.

This of course is not only Obama’s problem, but that of most politicians–McCain included. They fear to alienate voters; the point of such speeches, after all, is not to win anybody over, but merely to not lose any previous supporters by taking a stand about something. But I do believe Obama’s even more extreme on the empty rhetoric side than most.

By: ehunter

ehunter — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 03:10:41 +0000

Thanks Rog, I think you are right.
Obama is finished. But there are still unmined humorous possiblities here. The Dem convention’s Greek temple motif needs to be explored. What we have set in motion here is Ye Comedie Tragedie of Obamius Caesar. The curtain will lift on Obamius standing there with several large daggers sticking out of him. He will be completely oblivious of the fact as he smiles, waves and speechifies. The comic action will be of our hero and his supporters finding ever more ingenious ways of politely not mentioning the situation at hand.

By: redmanrt

redmanrt — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:27:57 +0000

The danger of Obama and politicians like him stems from the fact that the desire to return to Eden and the womb is built into us, even us conservatives. We struggle against this desire, the demothugs wallow in it. I agree with Mr. Kimball’s assessment of McCain’s chances in November, but the limited victory over the “desire” that will represent will be temporary, and will require engagement on our part.