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FRmail me if you want on or off the Thomas Sowell Ping List.
"Often we can see where the American left is headed by seeing where the European left has arrived."
Ain't that the truth!
To the liberal, the only moral absolute is that condemning evil is wrong and tolerating evil is right.
They are the only good argument I can find for abortion.
What a writer! Just try to add or remove so much as one word to or from any of his essays without ruining it-can't be done...
It is the same mind set that makes them for gun control. They do not care a wit if someone is murdered because they did not have the means to defend themselves. Your life is owned by their so called common good.
( No more Olmert! No more Kadima! No more Oslo!)
Actually, some Europeans I've met think that the Left is stronger on this side of the Atlantis continent. The thought I've frequently encountered in various European essays is that the only Marxists left in the world are at American universities. Go figure.
If they quit putting away potheads for many years, they'd have a lot more room for the career criminals.
The big delusion is believing that you can reform the criminals. It involves the pride of believing that science can correct man's social problems and that criminals are victim that can be rehabilitated through various social agencies. The problem is 1) forget about artifically injecting them with self esteem. Criminals don't suffer from low esteem -- in fact just the opposite. Low esteem has nothing to do with crime. 2) the heath care system has a vested interest in keeping criminals in victim status -- it furthers their livelihood. 3) the criminals know how to use the jargon of victim hood to their advantage without believing in it. For example, when criminals commit violent crimes it's because they can't help themselves due to their violent and traumatic past, but if a police officer struck them they won't use the same explanation for the officer. They'd say, "The bastard!" In other words, their violence is born out of victim hood whereas other violence directed toward them was willful -- liberalism offers criminals no responsibilities for their own behavior.
Thomas Sowell writes with a scalpel.
Well, their demographics have changed, too.
Thomas Sowell for President! Or how about Senator from California. That would be sweet. How about Supreme Court justice. Your choice, Dr. Sowell. Please!
Didn't read it yet but looks like it might be one for you.
The whole problem with the Left's approach to crime (street and international) is that it has misplaced compassion. They are constantly feeling sorry for the wrong people - and finding excuse after excuse for them. They pay little or no attention to the true victims, and what little attention they pay is usually negative in nature - like condemning someone or some nation for defending them- or itself against aggression.
In the Talmud there is a section called "Wisdom of the Fathers" and within it is a saying that is directly on point: "Kindness to the cruel is cruelty to the kind." Releasing convicted violent offenders, or letting meglomaniacal dictators get away with all manner of crimes and aggression are actions that, while they may seem kind or compassionate on their surface, actually cause far more harm down the road than being tough on the offender in the first place.
Another great piece.
Dr. Sowell is a remarkable man with the kind of mind and witing talent that always amazes me.
Please add me to your ping list. Thanks!
Dr. Sowell, brilliant as usual.