Posted on 05/04/2007 2:53:13 PM PDT by Congressman Billybob
We have a lot of work ahead of us, as the Leftists may have lost in the real world of running economies, but they have won the hearts and minds of those who style themselves the intelligentsia.
My take is that "the intelligentia" is simply part of the critic class. As Theodore Roosevelt pointed out,Conservatives need to continue to create alternative institutions, as we have done for media, and move on to challenge the predominance of the Leftist academics.There is no more unhealthy being, no man less worthy of respect, than he who either really holds, or feigns to hold, an attitude of sneering disbelief toward all that is great and lofty, whether in achievement or in that noble effort which, even if it fails, comes to second achievement. A cynical habit of thought and speech, a readiness to criticise work which the critic himself never tries to perform, an intellectual aloofness which will not accept contact with life's realities - all these are marks, not as the possessor would fain to think, of superiority but of weakness. They mark the men unfit to bear their part painfully in the stern strife of living, who seek, in the affection of contempt for the achievements of others, to hide from others and from themselves in their own weakness. The rôle is easy; there is none easier, save only the rôle of the man who sneers alike at both criticism and performance.When we consider that ownership (of money or property) is simply credit for past useful success, socialism is simply the effort to withdraw credit from those who created businesses and, effectively, aggrandize that credit to themselves by gaining popularity at the ballot box or influence over those who do gain popularity at the ballot box. Thus socialism is simply second guessing for fun and profit.It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds . . .
Whether we do this by challenging those institutions or create new ones is the question, but I think we will hit a wall soon if we don't tackle this problem.
Of course talk radio and FR are just such new institutions, and homeschooling is another. And if things like the "Gang of 88" continue to reveal corruption of academia at the college level, web-based college instruction could become another - which would just be an extension of homeschooling to the next level.21 posted on 05/04/2007 9:12:57 PM EDT by happygrl (Dunderhead for HONOR)Indeed, IMHO FR itself is in reality an academic institution - a think tank, a sort of one-room schoolhouse at the undergraduate to the postdoctoral level. I hadn't previously known that Congressman Billybob was a professor as well as a lawyer - and here we've been reading and critiqueing his dissertations for years here on FR.
To: happygrl
Duke could end up under new ownership this summer. I expect to see billion-dollar lawsuits against Duke and the city of Durham and a hundred or so million-dollar suits against individuals. Duke is there for the taking; the potential for the basic annihilation of the leftwing power structure at a major university is there.
23 posted on 05/04/2007 11:24:27 PM EDT by rickdylan
A consumation devoutly to be wished. I myself have long advocated a lawsuit against broadcast journalism and the FCC for the torts of tendentious reporting which continuously sustains the Democratic Party, in contravention of the charter of the FCC to promote broadcasting which does not merely interest the public but which is actually in the public interest - a different matter entirely.
One change that will be necessary will be for the Real World, i.e., that world that creates real value, to cease over-valuing the credentials of graduates from the so-called Ivy League and other elite Schools where the Left has a headlock.
The only way that this happens is for the best and brightest students to shun these schools, which build their reputations on the profile of students accepted, and attend alternative institutions that have a reputation for quality, not ideology.
I suspect that unless VAST changes in the administration and faculty occur over the next several month -- DUKE's reputation, standing and draw will diminish VASTLY....
To have so many certifiable racist or biased quacks on staff - does not speak well of a University of Duke's former reputation....
In the meantime - let the CIVIL "financial extractions" commence - and may Durham, Duke, faculty members, Police Dept., and D.A. lose a freaking fortune to the families of these three boys and their diligent LAWYERS...
YES - in this instance I support giving the lawyers a VERY healthy payday at the expense of Duke, Durham, Nifong, Faculty, etc. etc.......
Your posts are ALWAYS enlightening, informative and entertaining.... I’ve always loved reading your comments....
I have been following the Duke zoo parade, to assist in making a personal decision involving a family member.
Having a few alumni in the family and my oldest grandson looking longingly at following in footsteps — we, the financiers of “higher education” are having serious concerns about the risks/value of sending our loved ones to the Duke of today...
We’re torn between a love for what Duke once was, and the shocking “in your face” evidence of what Duke has become..... 88 professors incapable of teaching by example the meaning of our societal laws, methods and reason — is not an insignificant number! In fact, 88 of these dangerously incompetent boobs on one campus is horrifying.
The transformation at Duke borders on criminal negligence at ALL levels of University oversight and all levels of University administration to have allowed such a large scale invasion of incompetence and P.C. driven drivel...
In the event you haven’t yet discovered one of the best sites to follow the daily events and “twisting in the wind” of the truly guilty of Durham and Duke — go here, it’s extensive and concise:
http://durhamwonderland.blogspot.com/
John / Billybob
Ohhalaflipinluya, you put into words what has been fermenting in my mind for 40 years.
I look forward to an America which recognizes only two races of Human Beings, as Viktor Frankel described: the Decent and the Indecent.
21 posted on 05/04/2007 7:12:57 PM MDT by happygrl (Dunderhead for HONOR)
Your comments profound and true!
What a great word !.
Yes, I read that phrase (only two races, the decent and the indecent) in Victor Frankel's book Man's Search for Meaning and have heard it re-eterated many times by Dennis Prager on his radio program syndicated by Salem broadcasting (who deserves much credit for its wide disemination).
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