"The abstract, unreal freedom of the liberal intellect was really nothing more than childish disobedience, amplified into anarchy."
And I came to see that Burke's account of the Revolution [French] was not merely a piece of contemporary history. It was like Milton's account of Paradise Lost—an exploration of a region of the human psyche: a region that lies always ready to be visited, but from which return is by way of a miracle, to a world whose beauty is thereafter tainted by the memories of Hell. To put it very simply, I had been granted a vision of Satan and his work—the very same vision that had shaken Burke to the depths of his being. And I at last recognized the positive aspect of Burke's philosophy as a response to that vision, as a description of the best that human beings can hope for, and as the sole and sufficient vindication of our life on earth.
Apologies. I did not check the “excerpt only” box. Here is the link: http://www.storialibera.it/attualita/occidente/roger_scruton/articolo.php?id=2163&titolo=Why%20I%20became%20a%20conservative
The other smaller group were arrogant and manipulative and simply used the liberal talking points and agenda of organizing or controlling people to assume power and enrich themselves in one way or another.
In a conversation with one of the organizers I met who was a mover in the campaign to get marijuana legalization on the ballot he confided, "I'd never smoke that crap, I've got more important ideas that these people and their votes can help me with." I think he was planning on a career similar to John Kerry and John McCain - use the movement and it's connections to marry up and then get elected and become a life time leach.
In American colleges, Burke is touted as the father of modern conservatism with an emphasis on the more religious aspects of the ideology.
In short, he is denigrated as something evil.
And you believed them. They are pretty effective liars.
I never “Became” a Conservative ... during the Clarence Thomas hearings I simply “Discovered” I was.
TT
I love Scruton. He’s a hero in some of his near-solitary fights for what is true, good, and beautiful.
I was born with a Conservative spoon in my mouth.
Being a counter culture sort in early 70s south was libertarian....anti establishment....pro environment
... pro pot and punani
Soft...very soft on black stuff
But not like progressivism today
No abortion...gay marriage....gun confiscation...fembot Megan Kelly type crap.....denigration of Dixie......racial religious and gender political correctness and so forth
Conservative was Goldwater and Magnus and Bill
Living in NYC being around snotty smug northern libs who thought they were so much better than me did it for me
Plus living abroad
Watching Rhodesia collapse and having friends there
From about 23 on I have just gotten more culturally right wing and iconoclastic southern and western civil oriented
Even as my world fades from view....
Because I was born with a fully functional brain.
Scouts Out! Cavalry Ho!
As I was growing up I noticed that every time there was unrest or violence it was invariably at the hands of leftists. Right-wingers could be violent too but with them it was usually preceded with , “Alright, I’ve had just about enough of your crap”. I was largely apolitical but it was pretty apparent that if I was into breaking sh!t the dhimmicrat party was the place to be. I was more interested in playing music and chasing girls (not necessarily in that order) and so typically voted the way my folks had.
The pubbie candidates always seemed sort of stodgy but compared to scumbags and degenerates stodgy seemed a better choice. No one seemed to have an exit strategy for Vietnam much less a winning strategy but Nixon at least appeared competent.
My only regret about politics is that I wasn’t vocal enough in voicing my apprehensions about the direction the party has drifted. Perhaps if more of us had been more outspoken a while ago we might not be in the situation we face ourselves now.
Understanding liberals truly is that simple.
” the utopian promises of socialism go hand in hand with a wholly abstract vision of the human mind—a geometrical version of our mental processes which has only the vaguest relation to the thoughts and feelings by which real human beings live. the utopian promises of socialism go hand in hand with a wholly abstract vision of the human mind—a geometrical version of our mental processes which has only the vaguest relation to the thoughts and feelings by which real human beings live. “
What an outstanding Read!
This writing has real depth and is filled with these kind of profound observations. You will find them reflected in your every day dealings. The Conclusions he’s reaching are chilling when cast against the clarity with which he colors our times.
I urge everyone to give it a look. And thanks for posting.