Posted on 03/03/2009 9:29:57 AM PST by AmericanDude
Read Walter Williams every Wednesday. http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/archive.shtml
Go back thru his archives. Read his books. http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=walter+williams&x=11&y=23
He explains things very simply. He has changed my life.
Always remember the word, “liberty”. When debating, structure your position around that word, and whether individual liberty will be enhanced by your position or the other person’s.
Welcome to the fight. Good luck.
ATLAS SHRUGGED
It's about 15 years old, but the intervening years have not so much aged the arguments as it has validated them. It provides an outline the rise of modern liberalism in contemporary society, the outrageous fallacy of major leftist beliefs and excellent conservative refutations.
I highly recommend it.
What he said.
Also, listen to Rush and all the Conservative talkers you can find on the radio before the Obama version of the Fairness Doctrine gets passed.
Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuuude!
The Federalist & Anti-Federalist Papers (Debates on the Constitution)
Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Madison (father of the Constitution)
Rand, Orwell.
Someone mentioned not to read newspapers. IMHO, that's wrong. You have to know what the enemy is talking about, so you're prepared for the subject when it comes up and you're not blindsided. Balance out the leftist drivel with WSJ and IBD.
That ought to keep you busy for a while.
Come back when you're done; there will be a test ;)
http://www.amazon.com/5000-Year-Leap-Miracle-Changed/dp/0880801484 This book discusses the principles the Founding Fathers used when drafting the Constitution. I recommend this book to all Free Republic readers.
I just started “Atlas Shrugged” myself. It’s fiction and a good read. You’ll see stuff in and and say “Holy cr*p. That’s what they’re doing right now!”
Addendum: The Founding Fathers were classically educated, and their education (and experiences) formed their ideas on forming our nation; when you done reading them, then start in on what they read.
read hobbes, voltaire, locke and plato.
old guys with interesting philosophies.
read mein kampf, the communist manifesto, and letters to the prince. be informed of the tactics of the enemies of democracy.
for lighter reading aside from orwell and rand, also check out john ross’ unintended consequences.
The first thing is never forget that you are paying this college to teach you, if you are chastised for a different view then all bets are off, you can point out to the instructor that you are paying his/her salary and that (depending on the course) if an opinion is asked for then you gave them what was asked for, if he/she wants a no-mind useless answer you can get it from a no-load that knows how to parrot a equally no-load instructor, then invite them talk to one of the idiots that are getting the grade that reflects the aforementioned no-load (I am being pleasant, you can always interchange no-load with dipsh!t).
Sere_Doc: BS management
Masters Information Technology
Ret. Navy
Look, you've taken the first step, but be advised, this will be a life long, ongoing process.
Hang around here long enough, you’ll get an education.
some polite suggestions...
#1: http://www.FreeRepublic.com/
#2: other conservative ‘blogs, the Pubbie sites, and other links gleaned from reading topics on FR
#3: the local or college library, to (cheaply) read various periodicals without committing to a subscription; Financial TImes of London, The Economist (which is also UK), the Wall Street Journal, and the various conservative mags (if the library subscribes, which is not entirely likely)
Hope this helps.
Lemme guess ... you attend a small college in Connecticut and you never thought this would happen to you....
Here’s the first off-list ping in a month or so, in case anyone has some helpful suggestions for AmericanDude.
G’night all!
What’s your major going to be? It may make a difference as to approach.
Read and memorize the constitution, read the federalist (and anti-federalist) papers, hang out at freerepublic, dig into Rush’s ‘essential stack of stuff’, read Burke, and Alexis de Tocqueville, then you’ll have a PhD in conservative.
brave new world is a must, and if you like SF, i think Pohl has written a few stories set in an orwellian police state (the Plan of Man stories) which expand on the theme nicely, at least the first 2.
As mentioned above, of course, 1984 and animal farm are the classics. Maybe watch Brasil (the movie)?
Read everything Thomas Sowell has written. Also, volunteer on a campaign at the first opportunity - town council, county or state government, whatever’s available - because it’s a real eye-opener.
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