Darren Thompson / For The Times
Posted on 03/27/2005 10:23:42 AM PST by NormsRevenge
Less than a year and a half after California's historic recall election, Sacramento's wastelands are littered with the bleached bones of legislators and pundits who, unable to move beyond a cliche-ridden dismissal of a bodybuilder-movie-star-turned-governor, have underestimated the raw intelligence and honed intellect of the Austrian immigrant at California's helm.
To examine the intellect of Arnold Schwarzenegger is to seek to discern the influences that have shaped — and continue to shape, however obliquely — his thinking, which is to say his mind. Let's begin with a necessary distinction between intelligence and intellect.
--snip--
Those who know Schwarzenegger — and I know him a bit — can attest to the man's complexity. He might play Conan the Barbarian and the Terminator, and these roles, properly probed, might very well reveal aspects of his subconscious. But his resemblance to Conan or the Terminator in real life is skin-deep. The inner Schwarzenegger is a complex, highly intelligent and intuitive Euro-American with a sense of history and an informed taste for late medieval Austrian woodcarvings and 20th century Mexican art, as well as motorcycles and fine cigars.
As I see it, four basic forces shaped Schwarzenegger's mind:
(1) A commitment to self-instruction, linked to confidence in an individual's capacity to discern for himself and suspicion of received wisdom and business as usual.
(2) A preference for direct democracy (even if it takes celebrity status to energize that democracy).
(3) The idea of reform, as linked to history, destiny and the ideal of "the champion."
(4) A paradoxical blend of free-market economics with a residual Euro-Catholic respect for government as social democracy and safety net.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
A long read.
By Kevin Starr, Kevin Starr is University Professor of History at USC and California state librarian emeritus. His most recent book is "Coast of Dreams: California on the Edge, 1990-2003."
Darren Thompson / For The Times
"A paradoxical blend " I would call it a "Political blend".
And i doubt his preference for direct democracy because he has running on the redistricting proposition.
ya mean it ain't as simple as "hasta la vista, baby!"?
while i don't agree with all his views, i definitely appreciate the fear and loathing he has caused in the liberal camp... and not only because he married one of their daughters. and did they ever underestimate the guy!
kick some butt, arh nuld!
Liberals always underestimate the intellect of conservatives. The reason is that intellect is entirely relative, and they are not able to look at their own lack of intellect in an objective way. Once Schwarzenegger took center stage, it was obvious that he was smarter then they, and they could not hide that fact.
The current districts make a mockery of democracy because they are so gerrymandered. As Arnold says, the representatives pick the voters, not the other way around. Getting rid of -- or at least reducing -- gerrymandering would enhance democracy in the state. And most of the other 49 states as well.
Ah, that dastardly European education system -- Christian and Catholic to boot. And he came to America with all those ideas -- tsk. We're in for it now!
Not mentioned was his incredible self discipline, as he won the Mr. Universe title seven times -- which is impossible. I guess that's the "champion" part which can also translate into "take care of your bodies."
I like the part where he assumes that, for the most part, we really CAN take care of ourselves and that we aren't the stupid, weak, helpless victims that some (Those "some" exist in all countries.) would want us to believe.
AmerI CAN.
"My relationship to power and authority is that I'm all for it.
People need somebody to watch over them.
Ninety-five percent of the people in the world need to be told what to do and how to behave."
Arnold S. in a 1990 interview with U.S. News
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How many wars have been fought on the European continent by such enlightened folks anyway? and now his GReenocracy is the rage in California, for some odd reason. ;-)
It would appear that after 1-1/2 years in office, some folks are still infatuated with the liberal politics, AKA. Euro-socialist politics, of GovRino. No surpise. LOL
This big blowhard is so full of it, that his eyes are a dull brown!!!
Have you heard the underhanded ads being run against the redistricting proposition? They have kids doing the pledge until getting to "under God" where claim the same "liberal judges" who claimed that part was unconstitutional will determine the lines.
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