"Use[less] Idiots"

I've been listening to Laszlo Montgomery's excellent podcast, "The China History Podcast," (available on ITunes).

The current subject I've been listening to has been the life and times of Sidney Rittenberg, a classic communist idealist - intelligent, idealistic, a man with - no doubt - strong convictions. Like so many who have dedicated themselves to the cause of molding society into compelled conformity (something they call, "equality"), Rittenberg, in spite of his intellect and devotion to a cause, was an idiot (I realize that his life was a million times more grand than my own - but I can still note, quite accurately, that, he's an idiot).

What struck me most about the events of Rittenberg's life is the all too common theme that runs through the lives of many communists and communist "fellow travelers," being ill-treated or imprisoned on more than one occasion (by the communists they follow), and seeing up close the in-you-face failings of socialism in action, and still remaining dedicated.

I realize it may be Socialism Lite, but one finds this with followers of the current U.S. president as well. No matter how weak, corrupt or ineffective he shows himself to be, he is still adored by many and can literally "do no wrong."

When a political figure I admire screws up and shows their human failings or hypocricy, I cringe with embarrassment for them and basically distance myself from any support I may have shown. I'd dare say that this is because conservatives (and libertarians) are generally motivated by seeking to achieve practical ends - not so much, "dreams and visions." The rhetoric is sometimes required of course, but in the end we want things that work and achieve positive results. The left will fund a plethora of projects that have clearly failed, advocate spending billions to "solve global warming" (even as average temperatures remain static or decline), and swear that a president who has clearly accomplished nothing (and done considerable damage) belongs on Mt. Rushmore.

I've written it several times before; idealism is a wonderful spark to creative enterprises - to art, music, and literature. To direct the temperament of an artist to the ends of structuring society is useless...and I might add that devotees of such causes are...idiots.

The Media and Stockholm Syndrome

Violent rioting in Sweden. ..."Immigrants," "youth," "the unemployed."

Yeah...that's it.

Now, move along. Nothin ta see here.

Synchronicity

Somewhat off-topic but, oh well. I was going through some old papers recently and found this little gem (the photos below).

I've always loved the concept of "synchronicity" as defined by Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung. Most people are somewhat familiar with the concept as an expression of "meaningful coincidence." Some coincidences/synchronicities are rather mundane and relatively unimpressive. Some are utterly bizarre, amazing, or shocking. I've read several books on the subject as well as Jung's comments on it. I don't find it particularly mystical or "magical" but I do find it very intriguing. I've seen some good ones. One of them is the one below.

To my knowledge no one has commented on this. Surely someone had to have noticed it. A couple of years after 9/11 (the 9/11) I was leafing through some random magazines at work and saw this. As you can see from the date of the magazine (at the bottom right of the page after the Manhattan photo), it was the edition which came out the month before the terrorist attack. In addition, such an ad obviously would have been planned and laid out earlier than the August magazine publication date.

It's fairly self-explanatory; a Yahoo ad that plays on the concept of being "left out" by suggesting you use a product to feel "left in." Their mildly witty symbol is an old photo of New York's financial district skyline with a very obvious modern feature that one was used to seeing, -- the World Trade Center buildings -- "left out."

As with all synchronicities, one can write it off as "mere coincidence" or micro-analyze it enough to explain it away as being nothing out of the ordinary.

...but, I like synchronicities so I'm going to say this is a valid one and it's just plain weird.

I'm sure some conspiratorial types would like to read something beyond a synchronicity or coincidence into it.

Appraise at will and draw your own conclusions.

S & M for Nations and Peoples

Acting in moderation is different than not acting at all. For a nation (or like entity), the pages of history hammer home the truth that war-mongers and pacifists alike...get their asses kicked in the end (no pun intended).

Reason doesn't pick fights or bow to bullies. "Walk softly and carry a big stick."

Usual Suspects

If the recent terrorist act(s) in Boston had been the acts of a disgruntled "right-wing extremist" (as some pundits were quick to speculate), the media chatter would now be non-stop regarding the dangers posed by common citizens opposed to taxes and government overreach. I'd imagine that people like Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin would be implicated as well for "creating an environment of hate." But, this act of terror was motivated by the fervent demon of idealist/authoritarian philosophy (e.g. "the religion of peace").

Supposedly wanting the state and other busy-bodies and control freaks to leave one alone poses a great danger. Wanting to impose a world-wide caliphate however...lets not be too quick to judge.

Another incident from the followers of Allah Akbar incorporated. Who would have guessed.

Serious condolences to all who have suffered from another meaningless act of self-righteous rage.

America's Public Schools...

...Classic

War-mongering vs. Constraint

Amazing. Even Hitler and Stalin (et al) would at least try to pull off some semblance of legitimate reasoning for what were ultimately acts of naked aggression.

With the nutcase COMMUNIST (just so you know) regime of North Korea, the most absurd, childish, and pathetic excuses are routinely given for their desire to vent a tantrum with a potential to engulf the world in turmoil (not to mention millions of deaths). Certainly their irresponsible recklessness could spark events that could lead to world war (if enough energy is focused in Asia, no doubt Iran would note a golden moment to vent their brand of insanity. If Chavez's man in Venezuela wins the election there, he'd no doubt contribute what he could to the cause of socialist totalitarianism).

The latest threats from the lunatic regime in North Korea are something along the lines of, "If we shoot a rocket at Japan and Japan shoots it down to protect their citizens then we are justified in hitting Tokyo with a nuclear weapon. Yeah...ah...okay.

The West, America, South Korea, and Japan are remarkably restrained about this. If this mentality and rhetoric were between a group of high school students, this would be the point where everyone else decides to beat the shit out of the loudmouthed asshole.

In our global "high school," the restraint showed by everyone who isn't North Korea has been amazing. Much more tolerant than I could ever be.

As a side note, for an emerging world power that seeks respect and admiration, it's time for China to choose their side with definitive statements. The nonsense of pseudo-solidarity with goose-stepping bullies with a chip on their shoulder is way past its shelf life.

Where's Douglas MacArthur when you need him?

Margaret Thatcher Passes...and the Left's Response

To be expected.

From the same self-righteous clique that brought us "peace, love, cooperation, and tolerance." Go figure

Honest Reporting in Dishonest Times

Initially it sounded a little weird but, on a FOX News video the other day, they referred to North Korea as a "communist" country and later, a "dictatorship." I realized that it sounded weird because, even though everyone knows that both descriptions are completely accurate, one often finds other news sources shying away from such matter-of-fact labels.

Communism isn't supposed to be seen as a bad thing in some people's eyes, and they certainly don't want images of goose-stepping authoritarian war-mongers associated with a "philosophy" still favored by many. Calling any country (other than our own) a dictatorship is deemed "unhelpful" and in the deluded fantasy world of many intellectuals such accuracy runs contrary to their worship of relativism. Indeed, as Fox noted, North Korea is a dictatorship and a communist country. I'd add one other thing with partisan emphasis, both concepts are bad.