August 21, 2004
AN OLD GULF WIDENED:
An Ocean Apart, a World of Difference (AMANDA FOREMAN, 8/21/04, NY Times)
[T]he tensions that exist now between the United States and Europe are not simply a matter of political differences, whether over Iraq, Israel or the Kyoto agreement. The psychological chasm between the New World and the Old has always defied easy crossing. Alexis de Tocqueville - who formulated the idea of "American exceptionalism" - saw much in 1830's America to praise. But he despised the way its politicians took it upon themselves to lecture Europeans on liberty and freedom. He suspected that it was a gnawing insecurity that made them posture so. "Do not lead an American to speak of Europe," he wrote. "He will ordinarily show great presumption and a rather silly pride."
Bring him back today and he'd apologize. Posted by Orrin Judd at August 21, 2004 10:32 AM
Your wit is deadly, Orrin. Everytime I read your site, it drives home the fact that the Leftists/Libs/Democrats are a pretty humorless lot. Probably has a lot to do with the fact that they're disintegrating as a politically relevant force. Are you still predicting 60-40? I'm starting to wonder myself. What predict ye on the bounce Bush/Cheney garner from the NYC anarchist-protestors alone? Two-to-five points?
Love your site. I think you and Hewitt, Limbaugh and Belmont Club are tops. It's really over for the Old Media, isn't it? I'll never forget the retort of my rabid Bush-hating Dem Lib Michael Moore and Garry Trudeau worshiping office mate when someone mentioned "blogs" at a meeting: "I don't read BLOGS!" I started laughing inside because of her utter elitism and that she couldn't see it herself.
Blogs are going to change the politcal landscape forever. It's already happpened, probably. Kep up the great work my friend!
Posted by: G.Gaudi at August 21, 2004 12:50 PMThanks kindly. I, however, have a more modest opinion of the role of blogs and don't think they matter much in the bigger picture.
I do think Bush will get to 55% in the Gallup Poll after the convention.
Posted by: oj at August 21, 2004 3:14 PMI read the article in the NYTimes this morning. It reaffirmed my belief that the EUnics are living in a fantasy world.
"This is a world of ancient refinement, of the ties born through heritage and lineage. In this world, America is simply irrelevant. It is by chance, not design, if their interests meet.
The photographs can be interpreted as suggesting that the American heart will never touch the European soul. The former, Europeans say, is driven by money, the latter is shaped by tradition."
They are delusional. The world they live in was smoking ruins 60 years ago, and if US had not rescued them they should have all died in Soviet Gulags. That they can pretend they live in "a world of ancient refinement, of the ties born through heritage and lineage" rather than a theme park built with American Taxpayer's Dollars and guarded by American son's valor, proves it.
Move our bases, bring back the dead as well. Send the UN to Europe and the bill. And all of its corrupt factotums. Let the EUnics deal with the morlocks in their sculleries.
We will find friends in Britain and along the Russian March, not amongst these deluded fruitcakes.
Posted by: Robert Schwartz at August 21, 2004 4:38 PM