David Horowitz: The Book Behind the State of the Union Address

NewsMax ^ | 2/4/05 | David Horowitz

[wagglebee]

There are "fear societies" and "free societies." A free society is one in which a citizen can go into the public square and say what's on his mind without fear of being imprisoned or killed. A free society is one in which the interests of the leaders are tied to the interests of the people. For this reason free societies do not go to war with each other.

This is perfect in its simplicity.

[KJC1]

I just picked up a copy of this book, and will start it tomorrow. Sounds like a great one.

[billorites]

Elie Weisel and Natan Sharansky are among the small group of people who I can tolerate lecturing me on moral matters.

[ChicagoRighty]

David Horowitz Ping!

[wagglebee]

I have always been a big fan of Elie Weisel (even though I've disagreed with a lot of his political views). He is a man of great conviction and unwavering ideals. He also surprised many on the left the way he fully supported Bush on Iraq.

[buccaneer81]

I heard the President has read it as well.

[7.62 x 51mm]

I finished my copy, this morning. You will enjoy the heck out of it, K. Prescient reading...

[Tax-chick]

Sharansky bump!

[billorites]

"He is a man of great conviction and unwavering ideals."

Yes, a good model for us all.

I don't have to agree with his politics. He's a Boston University guy and he has reflected well on the school.

[Cicero]

I followed Natan Sharansky's earlier career, but I hadn't heard that this book was out. Israel has greatly benefited from the infusion of these brave Soviet dissidents, although one would have hoped their example and presence would have done more to disillusion Israeli leftists concerning the nature of Communism oppression.

[John Lenin]

bttt

[msnimje]

The President called Natan Sharansky to come talk with him about the book. Sharansky was in the oval office talking with the President for a good while and when he left Sharansky called Bush a dissident.

"I told the president, 'In spite of all the polls warning you that talking about spreading democracy in the Middle East might be a losing issue — despite all the critics and the resistance you faced — you kept talking about the importance of free societies and free elections. You kept explaining that democracy is for everybody. You kept saying that only democracy will truly pave the way to peace and security. You, Mr. President, are a dissident among the leaders of the free world.'"

[dsc]

"Sharansky's theme is simple, which is part of the beauty of this book. There are "fear societies" and "free societies."

Straight out of the Federalist Papers. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[nicollo]

Heh David, that's lovely, but maybe you shoulda first read John Milton, from more than a couple hundred years before, who, in Areopagitica: A Speech for the Liberty of Unlicensed Printing wrote,

Since therefore the knowledge and survey of vice is in this world so necessary to the constituting of human virtue, and the scanning of error to the confirmation of truth, how can we more safely, and with less danger scout into the regions of sin and falsity than by reading all manner of tracts, and hearing all manner of reason?

Madison found inspiration in that. By political descent, so, too, does President Bush.

[lainde]

bttt

[longtermmemmory]

Does this make GW Bush the true progressive?

That must burn the biscuts of the left.

[msnimje]

Does this make GW Bush the true progressive

I think he is a powerful progressive. But he is a conservative progressive moving away from the welfare state instituted by the Dems.

[Mr. Mojo]

Does this make GW Bush the true progressive? That must burn the biscuts of the left.

No doubt. The ultimate "stolen issue." The (American/European) Left only supports "freedom movements" if they're communist in character. .....like the Sandinistas.

[nmh]

bump!

[JulieRNR21]

Good book to read........PING