Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Sometimes You Can't Blame Libertarians for an Allergic Reaction to the State
William Grigg, Parents: Do NOT Trust the Police!
Patrick McKinley Brennan, The Individual Mandate, Sovereignty, and the Ends of Good Government: A Reply to Professor Randy Barnett (pdf) (via MoJ)
At this point, while this deserves a response from a learned proponent of American federalism, I don't really have the drive to type anything... sovereignty may be a problematic notion (if Maritain is correct, but is Bodin's conception of sovereignty the only one that is operative in modern nation-states?); would it be wrong to say that Brennan is one more Catholic who has embraced a Nationalist understanding of the Constitution?
If a Catholic is going to subject the American political system to Natural Law and the science of politics in order to change it, then he would do well to look first at the basics and deal with the question of sustainability, before defending the welfare state as the ideal with respect to the size and scope of the "Federal" government.
At this point, while this deserves a response from a learned proponent of American federalism, I don't really have the drive to type anything... sovereignty may be a problematic notion (if Maritain is correct, but is Bodin's conception of sovereignty the only one that is operative in modern nation-states?); would it be wrong to say that Brennan is one more Catholic who has embraced a Nationalist understanding of the Constitution?
If a Catholic is going to subject the American political system to Natural Law and the science of politics in order to change it, then he would do well to look first at the basics and deal with the question of sustainability, before defending the welfare state as the ideal with respect to the size and scope of the "Federal" government.
A Libertarian's Take on Westerns
His perspective and interpretation of the Western differs from that of paleos like Drs. Fleming and Wilson.
I Watch Westerns by Frank Chodorov
Westerns do in some way represent individualism, with a lone hero taking on the bad guys -- but I do not think this is self-seeking individualism, but the pursuit of justice and the common good. The author's idealization of the lack of the state (and civilization) is apparent. Private enterprise or private justice, without the cover of lawful authority? Even where there is a separate police force, citizens should be vigilant in defending themselves,their families, and their communities -- it's not just a republican ideal, but an ideal for men in general.
Waylon Jennings, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
I Watch Westerns by Frank Chodorov
Westerns do in some way represent individualism, with a lone hero taking on the bad guys -- but I do not think this is self-seeking individualism, but the pursuit of justice and the common good. The author's idealization of the lack of the state (and civilization) is apparent. Private enterprise or private justice, without the cover of lawful authority? Even where there is a separate police force, citizens should be vigilant in defending themselves,their families, and their communities -- it's not just a republican ideal, but an ideal for men in general.
Waylon Jennings, My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Monday, February 21, 2011
War in Sci-Fi Movies
Seeing these photos and watching the trailer for Battle: Lost Angeles again,
The Hollywood depiction of war, especially in science-fiction movies, is very "linear," 1GW. It looks good on the screen maybe, but it's not "realistic." The most blatant example would be the Star Wars prequel trilogy, but other movies include Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds, Independence Day, and Avatar. It's just a confrontation between two forces. It may be easier to portray war in this way to the audience. A force using a lot of maneuvering and bypassing the enemy would seem boring, in comparison, even if it is better warmaking.
(Even showing a realistic flanking maneuver in the 20th century might be difficult?)
In these movies it is presumed that a superior army would confront the weaker army head-on, especially if they are virtually invulnerable (force fields, better armor, etc.). Then with its superior firepower (energy weapons, ballistics) it would just annihilate the weaker force (usually the humans). This it would do instead of using its advantages in conjunction with exploiting the (other) weaknesses of the enemy. It is convenient for the plot that the aliens usually seek to eradicate all human life anyways, so they do not need to demoralize the enemy to induce a surrender. If they're going to wipe out all mankind, they might as well do it when the opportunity presents itself.
On the flip-side of this -- the humans never attempt sophisticated counters to the technologically superior aliens. (Who may not have superior numbers.) Instead of using guerilla tactics and such, they always charge at the enemy, usually in the open. I would hate to think that this is what the US military would do if we were actually confronted by an alien military force.
An exceptions to this might be District 9, when the PMC's security force tries to take out the alien power suit, but the mercenaries learn how to disable it at a terrible cost. (It is similar to the opening scene of Patlabor 2, when the guerillas hide themselves in the jungle and do not confront the UN military labors in the opening, drawing them into the jungle and then using RPGs and such to destroy the labors.)
The Hollywood depiction of war, especially in science-fiction movies, is very "linear," 1GW. It looks good on the screen maybe, but it's not "realistic." The most blatant example would be the Star Wars prequel trilogy, but other movies include Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds, Independence Day, and Avatar. It's just a confrontation between two forces. It may be easier to portray war in this way to the audience. A force using a lot of maneuvering and bypassing the enemy would seem boring, in comparison, even if it is better warmaking.
(Even showing a realistic flanking maneuver in the 20th century might be difficult?)
In these movies it is presumed that a superior army would confront the weaker army head-on, especially if they are virtually invulnerable (force fields, better armor, etc.). Then with its superior firepower (energy weapons, ballistics) it would just annihilate the weaker force (usually the humans). This it would do instead of using its advantages in conjunction with exploiting the (other) weaknesses of the enemy. It is convenient for the plot that the aliens usually seek to eradicate all human life anyways, so they do not need to demoralize the enemy to induce a surrender. If they're going to wipe out all mankind, they might as well do it when the opportunity presents itself.
On the flip-side of this -- the humans never attempt sophisticated counters to the technologically superior aliens. (Who may not have superior numbers.) Instead of using guerilla tactics and such, they always charge at the enemy, usually in the open. I would hate to think that this is what the US military would do if we were actually confronted by an alien military force.
An exceptions to this might be District 9, when the PMC's security force tries to take out the alien power suit, but the mercenaries learn how to disable it at a terrible cost. (It is similar to the opening scene of Patlabor 2, when the guerillas hide themselves in the jungle and do not confront the UN military labors in the opening, drawing them into the jungle and then using RPGs and such to destroy the labors.)
Coming Friday, February 25th
to Mission City Coffee, as a part of the Fiddling Cricket Concert Series: Rita Hosking and Cousin Jack (MS).
Her Youtube channel.
Misc:
Baroque Fiddling Concert featuring Rachel Jones
Music City Baroque
"Glory in the Meeting House" from COME TO THE RIVER - Apollo's Fire/Sorrell
Something else from Apollo's Fire/Sorrell
Her Youtube channel.
Misc:
Baroque Fiddling Concert featuring Rachel Jones
Music City Baroque
"Glory in the Meeting House" from COME TO THE RIVER - Apollo's Fire/Sorrell
Something else from Apollo's Fire/Sorrell
An Agrarian vision
This is my farm: From the city to the country and back again (EB)
Sharon Astyk, Casaubon's Book
We may not be able to reverse the tide of urbanization, in the nearer term. We simply don't have enough land to allow every single person on earth an agrarian life on many acres. But how do we keep the link between city and country? It is a link that is important to both parties - the exploitation of farmers who are underpaid and disregarded is only possible when you don't know any farmers, when you don't care what they have to do to make your dinner. And urbanites who have lost touch with natural rhythyms need to get in touch with them, to have access to the best food on a reasonable budget, to have the knowledge to meet their own needs.
Sharon Astyk, Casaubon's Book
We may not be able to reverse the tide of urbanization, in the nearer term. We simply don't have enough land to allow every single person on earth an agrarian life on many acres. But how do we keep the link between city and country? It is a link that is important to both parties - the exploitation of farmers who are underpaid and disregarded is only possible when you don't know any farmers, when you don't care what they have to do to make your dinner. And urbanites who have lost touch with natural rhythyms need to get in touch with them, to have access to the best food on a reasonable budget, to have the knowledge to meet their own needs.
It is unlikely that a rich man will give the bride and groom wedding garments.
If they aren't related to him, that is...
Dr. Fleming has this to say about modern weddings:
Dr. Fleming has this to say about modern weddings:
Weddings, having lost all sacramental or even religious sense, are now commercial occasions. They are a cross between a football gam, complete with program, and a night in Vegas. The clothes that the groom and groomsmen wear belong to a circus and not to any decent social occasion, and, as you note, a marriage that begins with rented clothes is not a marriage planned to last. I refused to wear formal clothes for my own wedding and bought a tuxedo. To not very rich young men who will not need a tuxedo for a long time, I always suggest a decent dark suit.
Nora Jane Struthers and the Bootleggers on KPFA's America's Back 40
This episode is from Sunday afternoon, and the archived audio will be available until March 6.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Relic of St. Mary Magdalene Coming to St. Joe's Tomorrow
Parish website.
Schedule (from the flyer):
Tour sites and dates for California here.
More details on the CA tour.
Related:
Diocèse de Fréjus-Toulon
Schedule (from the flyer):
12:00 Noon -- Candlelight procession with Relic into the Church followed by a talk about the Life of Saint Mary Magdalene by François LeHégaret (French Dominican priest)
1:30 pm -- Chaplet for St. Mary Magdalene
3:00 pm -- Rosary - Sorrowful Mysteries - For God's light to be cast into the darkness of our hearts so that we may experience true conversion
Sorrowful Mysteries: 1st -- Agony in the Garden, 2nd -- The Scourging at the Pillar, 3rd -- Crowning with Thorns, 4th -- Carrying the Cross, 5th -- Crucifixion
5:30 pm -- Special Mass
6:30 pm -- Veneration continues after Mass
8:00 pm -- Departure of the Relic of Saint Mary Magdalene
Tour Coordinator: Paula Lawlor (see flyer for contact info)
Tour sites and dates for California here.
More details on the CA tour.
Related:
Diocèse de Fréjus-Toulon
“Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect”
Pope Benedict XVI, On Christian Perfection
"He Who Welcomes the Lord in His Life ... Can Begin Again"
Pope Benedict XVI blesses the crowd gathered below in Saint Peter's square during his Sunday Angelus blessing at the Vatican February 20, 2011. (Daylife/Reuters)
"He Who Welcomes the Lord in His Life ... Can Begin Again"
Pope Benedict XVI blesses the crowd gathered below in Saint Peter's square during his Sunday Angelus blessing at the Vatican February 20, 2011. (Daylife/Reuters)
The Distributism Issue of Gilbert Magazine is Available for Purchase
Without a subscription -- details at The Distributist Review. Order here.
A Defense of the Necessity of the Marine Corps
Fabius Maximus: The Marine Corps Today, Tonight, and Tomorrow
I'm not persuaded -- see John T. Reed's short critique of having the USMC as a separate ground force.
I'm not persuaded -- see John T. Reed's short critique of having the USMC as a separate ground force.
Fleeces and Jackets
Although winter is almost over, I am still inclined to get a new fleece or jacket, if I can afford it. The grey one that I've had for a while is reliable and I've been able to wear it more often since I've lost some weight. But it would be nice to be able to have some new additions to my wardrobe.
TAD's Ranger Hoodie LT (There are 2 stores in SF; one is rather close to Espetus.)
Patagonia Men's Guide Jacket, Men's Simple Guide Jacket, Men's Windproof Fleece Jacket, Men's Lightweight R4® Jacket, Patagonia Men's Better Sweater Vest
North Face: MEN'S PUMORI JACKET, MEN'S SALATHE JACKET, MEN'S MALACHE FLEECE KNIT JACKET, MEN'S APEX BIONIC VEST, MEN'S WINDWALL® 1 VEST
Arc'Teryx: Gamma LT Jacket (Arc'teryx Leaf)
Cabela's MicroDown Soft Shell Jacket and Polartec® Classic 300 Hooded Jacket – Regular
Columbia: Men's Altitude Aspect™ Fleece Full Zip, Men's Full Suspension™ Full Zip
TAD's Ranger Hoodie LT (There are 2 stores in SF; one is rather close to Espetus.)
Patagonia Men's Guide Jacket, Men's Simple Guide Jacket, Men's Windproof Fleece Jacket, Men's Lightweight R4® Jacket, Patagonia Men's Better Sweater Vest
North Face: MEN'S PUMORI JACKET, MEN'S SALATHE JACKET, MEN'S MALACHE FLEECE KNIT JACKET, MEN'S APEX BIONIC VEST, MEN'S WINDWALL® 1 VEST
Arc'Teryx: Gamma LT Jacket (Arc'teryx Leaf)
Cabela's MicroDown Soft Shell Jacket and Polartec® Classic 300 Hooded Jacket – Regular
Columbia: Men's Altitude Aspect™ Fleece Full Zip, Men's Full Suspension™ Full Zip
More with Helena Norberg-Hodge
The Economics Of Happiness
By Helena Norberg-Hodge
26 February, 2010
Countercurrents.org
More:
A talk given in 2009.
Helena Norberg-Hodge: Localization: Development without destruction and The Economics of Happiness, interviewed by Cindy Sheehan
I posted this video a couple of weeks ago; here is the BlipTV embed:
By Helena Norberg-Hodge
26 February, 2010
Countercurrents.org
More:
A talk given in 2009.
Helena Norberg-Hodge: Localization: Development without destruction and The Economics of Happiness, interviewed by Cindy Sheehan
I posted this video a couple of weeks ago; here is the BlipTV embed:
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