The Case for Voting Third Party in Two Sentences

Political compromise makes sense if it advances your ideals and values.
Political compromise makes no sense if it slowly drives your ideals out of existence.

Does the Republican advance your ideals or is it complicit in their gradual extinction?  Do you believe in voting third party? 

“Candide” and the Dark Side of Liberalism

Voltaire’s Candide represents the nadir of the Enlightenment and makes mockery of the virtues of classical liberalism.

The first few chapters of Candide offer a few witty criticisms of the Ancien Régime.

Nothing could be smarter, more splendid, more brilliant, better drawn up than two armies. Trumpets, fifes, hautboys, drums, cannons, formed a harmony such as never been heard in hell. -Voltaire (sarcastically) in Candide

However, the book rapidly degenerates into a fantastic catalog of human misery. Published in 1758, Candide presages the destruction of the positive vision of humanity essential to the project of classical liberalism.

‘Optimism,’ said Cacambo, ‘What is that?’

‘Alas!’ replied Candide, ‘It is the obstinacy of maintaining that everything is best when everything is worst.’

The book exemplifies the pessimistic and nihilistic view of human nature that modern liberals (often unwittingly) accept.

‘Do you believe,’ said Candide, ‘that men have always massacred each other as they do to-day, that they have always been liars, cheats, traitors, ingrates, bandits, idiots, thieves, scoundrels, gluttons, drunkards, misers, envious, ambitious, bloody-minded, calumniators, debauchees, fanatics, hypocrites, and fools?’

‘Do you believe,’ said Martin, ‘that hawks have always eaten pigeons when they have found them?’

If the world is as evil as Voltaire suggests, it seems that an escape from the Ancien Régime would only mark the rise of a different form of tyranny.    Candide is prophetic of the failure of the French Revolution’s breed of liberalism. If man is infinitely evil, he is certainly incapable of self-government. Dictatorship is inevitable.

‘For what purpose was the earth formed,’ Candide asked.

‘To drive us mad,’ replied Martin.

Liberalism cannot survive while human nature is deemed irretrievably bad.

JOSH’S RATING: 2/5 stars.

My Snarky Review of “Pride and Prejudice”

I am convinced that when most women read this book they identify with Elizabeth Bennet. However, most women are actually as badly behaved as Lydia, Mary, or Mrs. Bennet. They ought to take the lessons of Pride and Prejudice to heart.

You are never to stir out of doors till you can prove that you have spent ten minutes of every day in a rational manner. -Mr. Bennet to Kitty

I’m not trying to be sexist. Men have ample faults. However, since most men won’t read this book, there is no point in picking on them.  After all, Pride and Prejudice represents feminism at its best:

Do not consider me now an as elegant female intending to plague you, but as a rational creature speaking the truth of her heart. -Elizabeth Bennet

Pride and Prejudice is not a great book because it is a romance. It is timeless because it offers a penetrating and witty examination of human nature.  Pride and Prejudice is a book every rational being must read.  It is one of the greatest books written in the English language.

People themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever. -Jane Austen in Pride and Prejudice

JOSH’S RATING: 5/5 stars.

Why do you love (or hate) Pride and Prejudice?

Vapid Humor & Inane Political Commentary, Courtesy of Greg Gutfeld

“The Joy of Hate: How to Triumph over Whiners in the Age of Phony Outrage,” the latest book from Fox News analyst Greg Gutfeld, is mildly funny but mostly disappointing.  It meanders endlessly.  It lacks a thesis, plot, or purpose.

Granted, there are some funny passages –though few are funny enough to make you laugh out loud.  There are only so many times a man can reference his own drunkenness without sounding like both a bore and a boar.  Stop reminding us that you worked for Maxim UK, Greg!  We bought your damn book; do us the courtesy of not deliberately diminishing your own credibility.

It is strange that Gutfeld labels himself a libertarian.  The only libertarian position he espouses is approval of gay marriage.  His foreign policy is neoconservative and downright simplistic.  Perhaps the moniker “libertarian” just sounds too cool to pass up . . .

Overall, Gutfeld seems more interested in proving that he’s a cool guy than offering any meaningful political or cultural analysis.  It’s one thing to mock Progressives and whiners.  It’s another to provide positive and convincing solutions.  On this count, Gutfeld fails.

There are a few amusing –if pointless– passages in the book. Gutfeld’s defense of smokers’ rights is admirable.   He astutely summarizes the psychological origin of Progressivism:  “The longer I live, the more I’m convinced the world is just one big high school, with the cool kids always targeting the uncool.” Gutfeld’s only unique insight is summarized in the book’s subtitle: we live in an age of phony outrage.  Still, this observation is simple and obvious –it needs little reiteration.

 If you want something light and mildly amusing to read while watching “Dancing with the Stars,” this book is for you.  If you are seeking laugh-out-loud humor or thought-provoking political commentary, this book will fill you with outrage.

How I felt reading this book. Outraged.

JOSH’S RATING: 2/5 stars.

Book Review: “Return to Order” by John Horvat II

John Horvat II, an apologist for the “Tradition, Family, Property” organization, argues that in order to solve our economic crisis, modern society needs to resurrect medieval values.  This is my brief response.

Return to Order is a polemic produced in association with a Catholic organization that goes by the unwieldy name, “Tradition, Family, Property.”  I am an orthodox Catholic and I know many wonderful people in the TFP, but this book is wretched and harmful. In short, it is not historically accurate; it undermines private property and private enterprise; it promotes a quasi-divine right theory of sovereignty; it is perversely materialistic; and it fails to find a place for pluralism within its social vision.  And these are only some of its egregious errors.

Though it proffers a grand historical meta-narrative, Return to Order is not a historical work.  In his quest to instill the reader with medieval values, the author often uses flowery phrases such as “the marvels of Christendom” or “the benevolent and saintly medieval monarchs” while providing few concrete examples.  Rather than producing a scholarly examination of “the marvels of Christendom” Horvat attaches innumerable favorable adjectives to feudal society or medieval institutions like the guilds: they were infused with a family-spirit, they were charitable, they were humane, etc. There is a remarkable scarcity of footnotes.

On the topic of the book’s ahistorical character, the author contends that, since its inception and until recent years, Americans shared a consensus concerning the nature and mission of America.  One need not resort to Marxist historiography to prove this false.  Does Mr. Horvat remember the Anti-Federalist struggle against the Federalist party?  The institutionalized oppression of Native Americans and blacks?  The WASP oppression of Catholic immigrants? In fairness, Horvat admits that his work is not intended to be a scholarly historical treatment, but a springboard for such research.  Still, considering his expansive and startling claims, this disclaimer seems something of a cop-out.

If you are a modern Democrat or Republican you will find Horvat’s economic prescriptions quaint.  If you believe, as I do, in a laissez-faire free market, you will find his vision insidious.  For example, in his ideal society a sovereign should inflate or deflate currency to level the playing field if one city or geographical area comes upon hard times. Horvat fails utterly in addressing the central claims of the Austrian economists -and there are many Catholic Austrians (I recommend Thomas Woods and Robert Sirico’s books).

Horvat rejects any notion of a social compact, Lockean or otherwise.  He roots political sovereignty in a modified divine right of kings.  He believes a natural aristocracy (similar but not identical to feudal lordship in the past) should rule.  These natural leaders are capable of just and wise leadership because they embody Christian virtue.  Still, his scheme cannot be called a meritocracy because Horvat believes that family will provides a continuity of leadership within the aristocracy. He fails to account for what happens when rulers reject God’s grace. Furthermore, attempting to root his narrative in history, Horvat makes numerous references to St. King Louis IX … but mentions few others. The reader wonders if good King Louis is the only concrete example he can provide.

The book is something of a Catholic prosperity Gospel: if only we believe the right thing (the Catholic thing) and practice virtue, our society will be prosperous.  While virtues such as temperance are certainly necessary and even helpful, one wonders where in the Bible Christ promised to make nations rich if only people behave well.

While not rejecting the industrial order wholesale, Horvat laments the Industrial Revolution, modern mass production, and the decline of hand-crafted and localized production.  He contends that because items such as jeans (there is a full page, color depiction of an evil stack of jeans) are mass produced, they lack the spiritual values of beauty and human touch.  I wonder, if I had a tailor and paid extra for hand-crafted pants, would I really be progressing spiritually?  How is this vision not quasi-materialistic?  In “Return to Order” spiritual well-being is intimately connected to the material quality of our possessions.

Whether you believe that pluralism in society is a good or a bad thing, when proposing a socioeconomic model it has to be taken into account.  Horvat does not, rendering his proposals impotent.

I did not give this book 1 of 5 stars because there are many points that are in line with Catholic thinking.  For example, there is a focus on subsidiarity and family values.  Still, the bad outweighs the good.  If realized, Horvat’s model would restrict free trade and self-determination.  Families would undoubtedly suffer.

JOSH’S RATING: 2/5 stars

The New Pope Will Be European: A Speculation

Contrary to the excited speculation in some Catholic and secular circles, I doubt the papal conclave will will elect an African, Asian, or Third World pope.

In America -because of our particular history and intellectual climate- racial struggle, colonialism, and the political rise of the Third World are at the forefront of our minds. The Church, however, confronts a different question: Where is the Church thriving and where is it stagnating?

Christianity and Catholicism are growing incrementally in the Third World and in places like China. It is shrinking and becoming more liberal in America. It is in its death throes in Europe; the age-old cathedrals are grand as ever, but empty.

Concerned with the death of the Faith in the West, the Conclave will probably pick another European pope, a pope with pastoral experience in the Gomorrah of the Old World.

Furthermore, I doubt the new pope will be Italian. For centuries an Italian pope was necessary, because the Vatican was an independent and expansive state within the conglomerate of Italian states. Of course, the Vatican is still a sovereign state, but it is geographically insignificant and is now less concerned with Italian politics than with religious evangelization. Italy is little more than another First World mission territory.

Of course, this is all speculation. As a Catholic I believe the Holy Spirit is the guiding hand behind the mundane politicking that occurs at a conclave. Transcending history and human vision, He may have other plans. Still, I submit my speculation, based on the idea that the Holy Spirit often works through the mundane.

 

2012 Reading Journal

For the sake of his vanity, the author presents his 2012 Reading Journal.

Title	Author	Rating	Date Completed	Genre
Star Wars: Darth Plagueis	James Luceno	4/5 stars	January	Science Fiction/Fantasy
Olympos	Dan Simmons	5/5 stars	January	Science Fiction/Mythology
Horns	Joe Hill	3/5 stars	February	Horror
Liberty Defined: 50 Essential Issues that Affect our Freedom	Ron Paul	5/5 stars	February	Current Events/ Politics/ Political Science
Dearly Devoted Dexter	Jeff Lindsay	2/5 stars	February	Literature
Liberty and Tyranny: A Conservative Manifesto	Mark Levin	3/5 stars	February	Current Events/ Politics/ Political Science
10 Books that Screwed Up the World: And 5 Others that Didn’t Help	Benjamin Wiker	5/5 stars	March	Political Science/History
Dexter in the Dark	Jeff Lindsay	3/5 stars	March	Literature
What’s So Great about America?	Dinesh D’Souza	4/5 stars	March	Political Science/Politics/Current Events
Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse	Troy Denning	3/5 stars	March	Science Fiction/Fantasy
Islam Unveiled: Disturbing Questions About the World’s Fastest Growing Faith	Robert Spencer	3/5 stars	March	Politics/Current Events/Religion
A Game of Thrones	George R.R. Martin	4/5 stars	March	Fantasy
I Am America and So Can You	Stephen Colbert	3/5 stars	March	Comedy/Politics/Current Events
The God Delusion	Richard Dawkins	1/5 stars	April	Science/Religion/Philosophy/Current Events
What’s So Great About Christianity?	Dinesh D’souza	3/5 stars	April	Religion/Political Science/History/Philosophy
Opening Atlantis	Harry Turtledove	3/5 stars	April	Alternate History
Marx in 90 Minutes	Bernard Sternsher	2/5 stars	April	History/Political Philosophy/Biography
Rousseau in 90 Minutes	Paul Strathern	2/5 stars	April	History/Political Philosophy/Biography
Blood Oath: The President’s Vampire	Christopher Farnsworth	3/5 stars	April	Horror/Political Fiction
The Jefferson Lies: Exposing the Myths You’ve Always Believed about Jefferson	David Barton	2/5 stars	May	American History/Biography
Hegel in 90 Minutes	Paul Strathern	1/5 stars	May	History/Political Philosophy/Biography
Demonic: How the Liberal Mob is Endangering America	Ann Coulter	2/5 stars	May	Current Events/Politics
Dune: The Battle of Corrin	Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson	4/5 stars	May	Science Fiction/Space Opera/Epic Literature
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II	Sean Williams	4/5 stars	May	Science Fiction/Science Fantasy/Fantasy/Video Game Tie-In
Heretics of Dune	Frank Herbert	3.5/5 stars	June	Science Fiction/Philosophy
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Fatal Alliance	Sean Williams	3/5 stars	June	Fantasy/Science Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived	Paul S. Kemp	5/5 stars	June	Fantasy/Science Fantasy/ Science Fiction
The President’s Vampire	Christopher Farnsworth	3/5 stars	June	Horror/Political Fiction
Red, White, and Blood	Christopher Farnsworth	3/5 stars	June	Horror/Political Fiction
Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Outcast	Aaron Allston	3/5 stars	June	Fantasy/Science Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Star Wars: The Old Republic: Revan		3/5 stars	June	Fantasy/Science Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Race Matters	Cornel West	1/5 stars	July	History/Politics/Current Events
Chapterhouse: Dune	Frank Herbert	3/5 stars	July	Science Fiction/Future History
Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Omen	Christie Golden	1/5 stars	July	Fantasy/Science Fantasy/ Science Fiction
Star Wars: Crosscurrent	Paul S. Kemp	4/5 stars	July	Fantasy/Science Fantasy/ Science Fiction
A Clash of Kings	George R. R. Martin	4/5 stars	August	Fantasy
Pinheads and Patriots: Where You Stand in the Age of Obama	Bill O’Reilly	2/5 stars	August	Politics/Current Events/History
Robopocalypse	Daniel H. Wilson	3.5/5 stars	August	Science Fiction
The Great Destroyer: Barak Obama’s War on the Republic	David Limbaugh	3.5/5 stars	August	Current Events/Politics
The Dark Tower: The Drawing of the Three	Stephen King	4/5 stars	September	Fantasy
Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Abyss	Troy Denning	4/5 stars	September	Science Fiction/Rantasy
Sisterhood of Dune	Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson	3/5 stars	October	Science Fiction
A Storm of Swords	George R.R. Martin	5/5 stars	October	Fantasy
Free Is Beautiful: Why Catholics Should be Libertarian	Randy England	3/5 stars	October	Political Philosophy
Hollywood Hypocrites: The Devastating Truth About Obama’s Biggest Backers	Jason Mattera	2.5/5 stars	October	Current Events/Politics
Hunters of Dune	Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson	3/5 stars	October	Science Fiction
Omnipotent Government	Ludwig von Mises	5/5 stars	November	Economics/Political Philosophy
First Things,  No. 228, December 2012	Various	N/A	November	Various
Sandworms of Dune	Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson	2/5 stars	November	Science Fiction
Theodore and Woodrow: How Two American Presidents Destroyed Constitutional Freedom	Andrew Napolitano	5/5 stars	December	History/Politics
The Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism	Robert P. Murphy	5/5 stars	December	Economics/Political Philosophy
Anthem	Ayn Rand	4.5/5 stars	December	Literature/Dystopian Fiction/Political Philosophy/Philosophy

“Bully Boy: The Neocons’ Favorite President” by Thomas DiLorenzo

Check out this article.  Teddy Roosevelt was not a conservative.  In fact, he was somewhat insane . . .

“Bully Boy: The Neocons’ Favorite President” by Thomas DiLorenzo.

An Evangelical Looks at Pope Benedict XVI | from First Things

Check out this link . . .

An Evangelical Looks at Pope Benedict XVI | First Things.

Oh Black and Unknown Bards

A poem in honor of Black History Month . . .

O Black and Unknown Bards

by James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938)

O black and unknown bards of long ago,
How came your lips to touch the sacred fire?
How, in your darkness, did you come to know    
The power and beauty of the minstrel’s lyre? 
Who first from midst his bonds lifted his eyes?     
Who first from out the still watch, lone and long,
Feeling the ancient faith of prophets rise
Within his dark-kept soul, burst into song?

Heart of what slave poured out such melody
As “Steal away to Jesus”? On its strains
His spirit must have nightly floated free,
Though still about his hands he felt his chains.
Who heard great “Jordan roll”? Whose starward eye
Saw chariot “swing low”? And who was he
That breathed that comforting, melodic sigh,
“Nobody knows de trouble I see”?

What merely living clod, what captive thing,    
Could up toward God through all its darkness grope,  
And find within its deadened heart to sing    
These songs of sorrow, love and faith, and hope?      
How did it catch that subtle undertone,
That note in music heard not with the ears?
How sound the elusive reed so seldom blown,
Which stirs the soul or melts the heart to tears.

Not that great German master in his dream
Of harmonies that thundered amongst the stars
At the creation, ever heard a theme
Nobler than “Go down, Moses.” Mark its bars
How like a mighty trumpet-call they stir
The blood. Such are the notes that men have sung
Going to valorous deeds; such tones there were
That helped make history when Time was young.

There is a wide, wide wonder in it all,
That from degraded rest and servile toil
The fiery spirit of the seer should call
These simple children of the sun and soil.
O black slave singers, gone, forgot, unfamed,
You—you alone, of all the long, long line
Of those who’ve sung untaught, unknown, unnamed,
Have stretched out upward, seeking the divine.

You sang not deeds of heroes or of kings;    
No chant of bloody war, no exulting pean    
Of arms-won triumphs; but your humble strings    
You touched in chord with music empyrean.    
You sang far better than you knew; the songs
That for your listeners’ hungry hearts sufficed
Still live,—but more than this to you belongs:
You sang a race from wood and stone to Christ.