[Every now and then something I read produces a critical reaction that impels me to focus on the background historical and other assumptions that I take for granted in my thinking. This article is the first in a series that developed as I took note of my reaction to a piece about the significance and possible future of the Tea Party movement. Labor Day has traditionally marked the formal kick-off of the "campaign season" in American politics. It seems an appropriate day to publishing a series that aims to help readers think through the political reality veiled by the appearance of the so-called two-party system. ]
Not long ago I read an article signed J. R. Dunn that offered a plausible history of the relationship between conservatives and the GOP. It portrays a party in which the “liberal” tail has usually been wagging the “conservative dog”, the exception being the era ...
If, during eras of elite ascendancy, the two most visible parties are tools of elite manipulation, then there is at all times a third party involved in all our political activities. It is the populist party, normally divided against itself by successful elite manipulation. In terms of its potential, it is always the majority party. The notion that “third parties fail” is therefore less an observation of fact than a statement of elite intention.
In the past, some pervasive material or moral passion occasionally roused this third party to unify under its own leadership . In our current circumstances the unifying impulse comes in reaction against the elite itself. There is a widespread sense that the nation suffers from a general failure of elite leadership (in particular, the failure of both elite manipulated parties), a failure connected with the elite's cynical, purely self-aggrandizing ambition. The Obama faction's open contempt for ...
In the years that followed the Lincoln era, the United States faced a new organizational imperative. As in the post-Jackson era, it involved continental expansion. But in addition to this there were the material challenges of accommodating new technology’s rapid transformation of economic life, and the moral challenge of reconstituting the nation’s unity despite the persistent post-traumatic stresses still reverberating from the Civil War.
These challenges allowed the elite to regain a leadership position, this time co-opting the populist moral passion of the Lincoln era with ideas of national destiny and administrative reform. The result was an era of unprecedented elite ascendancy marked off by the two Roosevelts, the Republican, Teddy and the Democrat, FDR. Their familiar nicknames represent the complete submergence of elite ascendancy in the streams of populist passion. They signify the virtually complete success of the elite divisional strategy.
The two Roosevelts aptly represent this success. Their family relationship ...
I doubt that most people would be shocked to learn that sometimes the influence of power can interfere with and even derail the course of justice in our legal system. Behind the scenes, a phone call from a powerful politician, or a corporate mogul often affects the actions or judgments of people whose personal ambitions they are in a position to help or hinder. Usually though, people giving heed to such considerations have enough sense to cloak what they do with words or actions that give their corruption at least the appearance of probity. Maybe its the tribute that vice renders to virtue. Maybe its nothing more than self-serving prudence (the mask of honesty that facilitates corruption.)
However, when court officers conclude that such hypocrisy is no longer worth the effort, things are pretty far gone. The video featured with this post focuses on the recent decision by Col. Denise R. ...
Daily Brief #13
The video featured on this page is a news report out of Texas about a pro-life billboard campaign just launched there by the Radiance Foundation and the Life Education Resource Network (L.E.A.R.N.). It’s an effort to focus attention on the disproportionate number of nascent blacks being murdered in Texas under the rubric of abortion rights.
What especially provoked my interest was criticism of the project from a Planned Parenthood spokeswoman quoted in the report. “This is about trying to interfere with women making private personal decisions and unfortunately and really shockingly, this group has decided to use racism as a wedge issue,” Rochelle Tafolla said. “We think that is just reprehensible…”
So its reprehensible to focus an individual’s attention on the impact her individual action has on her community. Could there be a more perfect illustration of Planned Parenthood’s moral insanity?
In many U.S. communities today local laws encourage or even ...
Daily Brief #12
“Asked who would be considered conservative Christian leaders today- with Graham in his 90s and the recent death of Jerry Falwell – Land said that “leaders are leaders because people follow them.” So says Richard Land.
Every year as we approach the commemoration of Christ’s passion, crucifixion and resurrection the people Jesus has saved recall his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
And the most part of the multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut branches from the trees, and spread them in the way. And the multitudes that went before him, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.”
Judging by the multitudes that followed him, and the words of Richard Land, in this grand triumphal entry, Jesus was a leader.
But after he drove the money lenders from the Temple, confounded the ...
[I have been in prayerful thought about the events taking place this weekend under Glenn Beck’s auspices. He portrays them as the beginning of a Great Revival of faith in America. People I know and think well of are involved. Yet I find I cannot ignore the check in my spirit that prevents me from accepting that the events or their sponsor are what he professes them to be. This posting is an effort to lay out the elements that contribute to my misgivings, insofar as they are susceptible to articulation. Herein I attempt to share a train of thought and the destination toward which it points. Is it the right one? With God’s help, time may tell.]
Glenn Beck:
“I mean, the one part of culture that I am doing a lot of is faith. But general faith. We have got to get back to our churches, our synagogues, our mosques, ...
Here is the much viewed video in which I call Obama by his right name and talked about the dire consequences America will suffer from his agenda to overthrow the liberty of the people of the United States.
Can we please just listen to Dr. Alan Keyes and get behind him as our leader out of this mess? He is clearly the one whom God has raised up “for such a time as this”! We need to be united and begging Dr.Keyes to lead us in taking back our country! Please Dr. Keyes, help us; Help America; Save America! Be our courageous hero and lead us to do what is necessary to restore America back to a free country. I personally believe with all my heart that you, Alan Keyes, are our man for this hour, sent by God to rescue us, to rescue America. Let’s just stop talking about it, and DO WHAT MUST BE DONE!
Metal Gear: Son of LibertyFebruary 20, 2010 at 1:19 pm
Praise GOD almighty!!! Yes, ALAN KEYES for president!! I love this man… Im a brotha from Cali now living in Texas and all I can say is wow!!. Im so happy to hear a man who speaks with real elequence and is sincere in all his political efforts to restore freedom, Morality and true Government accountability to this country!! Alan May GOD bless you and protect you always!! I stand with you my brother.. I was once brain washed by media propaganda and listened to the media demonize you when you ran against obama(Barry Sotero) in the senate race. Now I see the truth! I am an Info warrior! 911 truther! Berther! I am American! I am Free! I will Stand………!
I am a big Alan Keyes fan! I just saw a wonderful video of a strong American standing up and speaking out on the topic I myself have been trying to shake people awake to see. My mouth dropped open when I heard MY words coming out of Alan Keyes mouth and I cheered for him, for his intelligence and his courage to stand up and say it. I’ve been saying it and I’m appalled at all the Americans out there that were and still choose to be blind to Obama’s lies and his trespassing openly in our country’s capital while pretending to be the President of this great country. What is wrong with the government and the people of this country that just allow an undeserving person to walk in and take a seat in the Oval Office knowing he doesn’t belong there. He is not an American citizen and therefore his sights are not on what is best for the American people, our country, our culture or our future. He’s made this clear!! America needs to wake up NOW!
Great job Alan! You keep up the great work. You seem to be the only public figure with the courage and conviction and love of this land and what it stands for to stand up and say it like it truly is.
Dr. Keyes, this is my favorite Alan Keyes video. Your words are prophetic. I used to have this video on the very top of my Facebook page before I deleted my account.
As far as I know, you are the only public figure that has rightfully labeled Obama for what he is – a radical communist. All the so-called conservative talking heads on TV come short of saying it. Obviously, they have no spine.
Just one thing I would like to note on this very nice website revision – can the text on the buttons at the very top of the page be a little brighter? The dark text over dark background is difficult to see.
This site is, as it were, freeware, but of course its maintenance requires a lot of man-hours. Your donation will help me and those who work with me. So please click the Donate button and help out to whatever extent you can. No amount is too small. When everyone chips in, the 'widow's mite' is mighty. Thank you and Godspeed.
(If you would rather send a check or money order make it out to Alan Keyes and send it to: Alan Keyes, PO Box 83759, Gaithersburg, MD 20883.)
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Alan Keys I love you like a brother!!!!!!!!
There is no question that Alan Keyes is All American and is for America. God Bless Alan Keyes!! We love and need Alan Keyes!
I agree with Kathryn!! PLEASE DR. KEYES….WE NEED YOU NOW!!!
Can we please just listen to Dr. Alan Keyes and get behind him as our leader out of this mess? He is clearly the one whom God has raised up “for such a time as this”! We need to be united and begging Dr.Keyes to lead us in taking back our country! Please Dr. Keyes, help us; Help America; Save America! Be our courageous hero and lead us to do what is necessary to restore America back to a free country. I personally believe with all my heart that you, Alan Keyes, are our man for this hour, sent by God to rescue us, to rescue America. Let’s just stop talking about it, and DO WHAT MUST BE DONE!
“Obama is a radical communist.”
What guts! What truth! God bless you, Dr. Keyes. Keep on keepin’ on.
Praise GOD almighty!!! Yes, ALAN KEYES for president!! I love this man… Im a brotha from Cali now living in Texas and all I can say is wow!!. Im so happy to hear a man who speaks with real elequence and is sincere in all his political efforts to restore freedom, Morality and true Government accountability to this country!! Alan May GOD bless you and protect you always!! I stand with you my brother.. I was once brain washed by media propaganda and listened to the media demonize you when you ran against obama(Barry Sotero) in the senate race. Now I see the truth! I am an Info warrior! 911 truther! Berther! I am American! I am Free! I will Stand………!
I am a big Alan Keyes fan! I just saw a wonderful video of a strong American standing up and speaking out on the topic I myself have been trying to shake people awake to see. My mouth dropped open when I heard MY words coming out of Alan Keyes mouth and I cheered for him, for his intelligence and his courage to stand up and say it. I’ve been saying it and I’m appalled at all the Americans out there that were and still choose to be blind to Obama’s lies and his trespassing openly in our country’s capital while pretending to be the President of this great country. What is wrong with the government and the people of this country that just allow an undeserving person to walk in and take a seat in the Oval Office knowing he doesn’t belong there. He is not an American citizen and therefore his sights are not on what is best for the American people, our country, our culture or our future. He’s made this clear!! America needs to wake up NOW!
Great job Alan! You keep up the great work. You seem to be the only public figure with the courage and conviction and love of this land and what it stands for to stand up and say it like it truly is.
Dr. Keyes, this is my favorite Alan Keyes video. Your words are prophetic. I used to have this video on the very top of my Facebook page before I deleted my account.
As far as I know, you are the only public figure that has rightfully labeled Obama for what he is – a radical communist. All the so-called conservative talking heads on TV come short of saying it. Obviously, they have no spine.
Just one thing I would like to note on this very nice website revision – can the text on the buttons at the very top of the page be a little brighter? The dark text over dark background is difficult to see.
Please keep up the good work and God bless.