Red_State_Blue
Reflections on a House Divided
Untapped
Candidates who are willing to say "enough is enough" on these matters - and
related ones such as affirmative action - are likely to find that they have
tapped into an undercurrent
Christopher Landon: Ice Cold in Alex
Interesting and well developed characters, in genuinely tension inducing situations - even when the matter of "who did it" is not really a mystery. Vivid enough for the place and period - WW2 North Africa to early 1950s Britain - to come to life inside your mind. (***)
Karl Von Clausewitz: On War
I read this first many years ago.
The author then impressed me as being more lucid and broadly learned than many contemporary writers on this and similar areas. He still does. (****)
Loren Lomasky: Person's, Rights, and the Moral Community
Well written, and clear. Many interesting ideas and explications of problems, but his theory itself - on a derivation of rights, seems possessed of unnecessary elements. Worth reading. (***)
J.G.Ballard: The Drowned World
Another (long-time) re-read.
Ballard tends to play one note - but it's a good one - and he plays it VERY well. Some uncontrolled/unforeseen calamity engulfs the world. Protagonist(s) confront general realization of the coldly impersonal nature of the world and how human responses are to a large extent a product of the interaction of those forces with his/there-own biological pre-dispositions - engraved in the structure of each and every one of their cells. And, that the true and only expression of one's authentic self and humanity, lies in how and whether one can/does inwardly accept the truth of these constraints, and expresses that realization, in those (few) opportunities available for actual personal choice.
Intentionally or not his work gives powerful and poetic expression to the Existentialist perspective.
The world of this novel happens to be slowly drowning in the over-heated flood-tides that result from a run-away solar anomaly. But, it could be just about any such occurrence - e.g. A "Wind From Nowhere," or the Japanese invasion of Shanghai (both of which served as the backgrounds of others among his novels). The story-line, character-types, dilemmas, decisions, and general moods are much the same in each story, but the pacing, poetry, intensity, and aggravating authenticity of the characterizations in each instance are gripping enough to make every reading worthwhile. (***)
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Exactly what I have been saying since day one.........and exactly why McCain went from slim to none for my vote with his afirmative action pick of Palin.
David Aronin repies:
Sarah Palin is a solid conservative and a good governor. If you want to categorize the conservative base of the Republican party as a "special interest group"being mollified by an AA pick then then just go right ahead. Good luck. Perhaps your next such comment might be in regards to the choice of a devout Catholic to be Pope? Pandering, indeed!
And while your at it you might add some good words on how an Obama presidency will further the cause of a truly race-blind society, protect the rights of religious persons to pray in public space and associate freely with those who share their values. You might also discourse on how he will further the rights of parents generally, protect the Second Amendment and make our libraries as safe for children as they used to be.
Good luck with those projects as well, and with that new bridge you bought in NYC. I hear it comes with its very own troll.
Best!
David Aronin
Posted by: Doug | 15 September 2008 at 23:17