Very dignified and honest article. While I largely don't agree with its substance (leave those for a later day), your views certainly have merit and should not be discounted. I support your commitment to them; and always consider them.
Regarding criticism of the president, I firmly believe in Teddy Roosevelt's observation: "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president... is morally treasonable to the American public." I certainly criticized poor old Biden, and will criticize Trump when I disagree with him.
Finally, and very much apropos today, I also agree with TR's comment: When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.'
I believe your three cornerstones are 100% accurate, and that America’s standing and interests have always been better served by an alignment of values with other democratic nations. It is inarguable and has an enduring pull, productive peace through engagement is something to cherish and promote.
The most intractable problem with the current officeholder is that his “foreign policy” will never be more than a projection of his inner turmoil and toxicity as my friend TC suggests. Humbly, I suggest you invest in a landing on a lake or river, invest in a good two man canoe, and work outwards.
I hope you did not misinterpret my note, you have to keep publishing as much as possible, but in this awful political environment some quiet time on the water could provide respite.
Thank you for the essay and for your optimism. I hope you're right that you and others *can* engage with Trump 2.0. The past 2 weeks don't give me hope on that front.
It's disheartening to learn you had to go to the White House to dissuade them not to hand you over to Putin...I remember that situation but didn't know this detail you provided today.
I think we're missing the fact that Cletus J. Nitwit was psychologically twisted and destroyed by the monster who spawned him, that he has never operated at more than a 10 year old's level. He wants to get his revenge on us for the fact he spent his life with his nose pressed against the glass door that will never be opened to him to allow him to enter civilized society. He's not some rationally irrational actor who ever thought through anything since he is incapable of that. He should have been institutionalized when he was caught at age 10 throwing rocks at the toddler in a playpen next door.
Mike, I use the realist versus liberal (Wilsonian liberalism) distinction all the time. Your thinking on all things political have been very valuable to help frame what I actually believe. I use Frank Fukuyama's pro-bureaucracy (pro-administrative state) framing a lot too. Keep fighting especially when a bad actor is in the White House. See what I did there??... I have been listening...
Very dignified and honest article. While I largely don't agree with its substance (leave those for a later day), your views certainly have merit and should not be discounted. I support your commitment to them; and always consider them.
Regarding criticism of the president, I firmly believe in Teddy Roosevelt's observation: "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president... is morally treasonable to the American public." I certainly criticized poor old Biden, and will criticize Trump when I disagree with him.
Finally, and very much apropos today, I also agree with TR's comment: When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.'
Thank you.
Refreshing to hear a cogent defense of liberalism these days!
thanks!
I believe your three cornerstones are 100% accurate, and that America’s standing and interests have always been better served by an alignment of values with other democratic nations. It is inarguable and has an enduring pull, productive peace through engagement is something to cherish and promote.
The most intractable problem with the current officeholder is that his “foreign policy” will never be more than a projection of his inner turmoil and toxicity as my friend TC suggests. Humbly, I suggest you invest in a landing on a lake or river, invest in a good two man canoe, and work outwards.
noted
I hope you did not misinterpret my note, you have to keep publishing as much as possible, but in this awful political environment some quiet time on the water could provide respite.
sounds lovely! I feel lucky to have my job at Stanford these days, a long way from DC!
Thank you for the essay and for your optimism. I hope you're right that you and others *can* engage with Trump 2.0. The past 2 weeks don't give me hope on that front.
It's disheartening to learn you had to go to the White House to dissuade them not to hand you over to Putin...I remember that situation but didn't know this detail you provided today.
2018 was a strange one for me for sure!
I think we're missing the fact that Cletus J. Nitwit was psychologically twisted and destroyed by the monster who spawned him, that he has never operated at more than a 10 year old's level. He wants to get his revenge on us for the fact he spent his life with his nose pressed against the glass door that will never be opened to him to allow him to enter civilized society. He's not some rationally irrational actor who ever thought through anything since he is incapable of that. He should have been institutionalized when he was caught at age 10 throwing rocks at the toddler in a playpen next door.
Mike, I use the realist versus liberal (Wilsonian liberalism) distinction all the time. Your thinking on all things political have been very valuable to help frame what I actually believe. I use Frank Fukuyama's pro-bureaucracy (pro-administrative state) framing a lot too. Keep fighting especially when a bad actor is in the White House. See what I did there??... I have been listening...
Great to see you here Brad!
I actually write here BTW
https://stsamfrancis.substack.com/
BTW Cort Gross says hi.