Posted on 01/21/2008 7:43:23 AM PST by shrinkermd
Shelby Steele wrote this book before any polls or votes suggested Barack Obama was a plausible contender. As such, the author was both prescient and provocative.
Shelby Steele is a research fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. His best selling book is The Content Of Our Character: A New Vision of Race in America. He has also written White Guilt: How Blacks and Whites Destroyed The Promise Of The Civil Rights Era. He has written other books and has published widely. President Bush honored him with the National Humanities Medal.
This book is noteworthy because it is slim—134 pages—yet comprehensive in appraising current black-white relations. This book summarizes the essentials of Shelby Steele’s thinking about race.
The author’s points are congruent with what we know about human nature--how a relatively powerless group interacts with a powerful group. The author notes this is a general human response pattern, but narrows his discussion to black-white relations. When I summarize this book, it must be understood Shelby Steele is more nuanced and profound than my simple declarative sentences suggest.
In this short commentary and review, I will spend most of the effort on the author’s basic ideas about race. I will discuss Obama but almost as an afterthought. The reason I take this approach is that after many years of reading FR, I am convinced very few are aware of Shelby Steele’s thoughts on race.
The author states, “Bargaining and challenging are the two great masks that we blacks wear when we seek success and power in the American mainstream.” These broad means of interaction can also be thought of as quasi-identities. Of course, those who predominantly use one of these approaches will, from time to time, use the other as well.
Bargainers make a specific deal with whites. The bargainer does not hold the history of white racism against whites if they do not use race against blacks. By taking this approach bargainers give goodwill and receive goodwill. They give before they ask. Bill Crosby and Oprah Winfrey are bargainers. Basically, bargainers give racial innocence (remove the stigmata of racism) to whites; hence, the whites are both relieved and grateful. Their gratitude is such that many talented, black bargainers receive not only white recognition but riches as well.
Challengers confront whites. Challengers put all whites in the position of having to prove their racial innocence (not racist). Challengers assume all whites are racist and whites need to do something to prove otherwise. Among blacks, challengers usually have no power; however, once they interact with whites they gain great power. The black skin gives them moral authority in a society where being labeled a “racist” is one of the worst sins imaginable. Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are challengers. Affirmative action and other special actions are demanded of whites. Prominent challengers even function as racial priests. Witness Don Imus’s appeal to Al Sharpton after Imus was pilloried for racist remarks.
A few more points about challengers:
Recently Rush Limbaugh created quite a stir when one of his parodies referred to Barack Obama as the “magic negro.” Rush did not originate that term. It had been previously used in by a political pundit from the LA Times who in turn referenced this to another source.
No matter. Using this term caused quite a stir and threats to take Rush off the air. Nothing happened because Rush Limbaugh is a consummate professional and he proved to be above reproach.
Somewhat similar to “magic negro” is Shelby Steele’s use of the “iconic negro.” By definition an iconic negro is someone who embodies the highest and best of both longings of both races. In such people one can see the historic shame of their races at last overcome.(Page 86)
Iconic negroes only arise in racially divided societies. Oprah Winfrey and Nelson Mandela are good examples. By dispensing with the sense of “otherness” it can be replaced with warmth, familiarity and racial goodwill. Racial tension appears nonexistent. The big problem with being an iconic Negro is one must wear the bargainers mask and the prerequisite for becoming an iconic negro is a great ability to maintain this mask and appear absolutely natural.
Barack Obama is the first Black to plausibly run for POTUS. He does so on the basis of being the quintessential iconic negro. Barack Obama entered this race by wearing the bargainer’s mask. Like the author he is the product of a white mother and a black father. Unlike the author, Barack was abandoned by his father at age 2. Being raised by a white mother and her parents resulted in his becoming an expert bargainer. This was, then, not an earned bargainer position based on outstanding individual effort. No, it was the result of a “matching of his racial persona with an American hunger for racial innocence” (absence of racism). (Page 152)
In a certain sense Barack Obama’s case for being President rests not on a vision for America or the advocacy of personal convictions but his striking success as an iconic negro.
Barack Obama is a “bound” man. He discounts his white heritage and puffs his black heritage and must continue doing so. He cannot lose his black identity without losing the ability as a bargainer to appeal to whites. Contrariwise, he cannot lose his black identity and keep his black supporters.
Essentially, there are two “binds” that hamper Barack Obama’s chances to be POTUS.
The first is his claim to fame and acceptance is that of an iconic Negro. If he begins criticizing blacks or letting whites off the hook, he will lose the “rock star specialness” that underlies his political viability. Blacks will lose respect for him as an Uncle Tom and Whites will no longer see him as giving them racial innocence. Whites vote for Obama. not for his policies, but for American racial redemption. Like all bargainers Barack tries to be, more or less, politically invisible; when this is impossible he becomes a tepid leftist.
Shelby Steele summarizes the first problem thusly:
”If blacks are not victims of white racism, if their problems stem from pathologies only remotely related to past racism—if, in fact, more black responsibility is the only meaningful answer to black difficulty—then whites begin to disengage from the idea that their solicitude brinks black advancement. Suddenly, they don’t need the innocence that bargainers offer them.. Eventually, all bargainers must lean to the political left, where the focus is on white responsibility for black difficulty….” (Page 117)
”So Obama is not given to “fresh” or “new” ideas. It is hard to be an iconic Negro and original at the same time. He works within convention not against it. When you are an iconic Negro you are original, not in your thinking, but in your person…(Page 119)
The second bind Barack faces is the question, “Is he black enough?” How is it possible to be a white favorite and an icon of the mainstream left and still be an advocate for blacks? Since he gives racial innocence to whites before asking for anything he is doubly damned. ”…challenging now defines the black American identity because whites are now contrite over their historical association with white supremacy…” In a certain sense challenging has resulted in a situation where ”neither race can ever fully know itself except in relation to the other..” (Page 126)
To summarize this second point, Barack Obama works entirely within the current scheme of race relations. The masks of bargaining and challenging are essential if this current scheme is to persist. ”…he exploits the world to move himself ahead, not to advance a new configuration of race relations or to end the current configuration altogether…” Obama is a racial pragmatist more than anything else.
The author concludes thusly:
”…Nonetheless, Barack Obama entered history by wearing the bargainer’s mask. He was born to a fate that literally schooled him in bargaining. It was not a hard-earned and carefully evolved individuality that won him entree’ into national imagination. It was the matching of his racial persona with a hunger for racial innocence in white America…
”…What gave Barack Obama the idea that he could plausibly run for POTUS? Was it that he had evolved a compelling vision for the nation grounded in deeply held personal convictions? Or was it he had simply become aware of the his power to enthrall whites?...(Pages 132-133)
You can find an excellent Bill Moyers interview of Shelby Steele HERE.
As noted the book is 134 pages with a brief index. I paid $15 for my copy. The copyright is 2008 and the publisher is the Free Press, a division of Simon and Schuster.
It is an easy read but very profound depending on how much you reflect on the contents. In a certain sense, Shelby Steele advocates an existential philosophy where every one of us is responsible—responsible for what we do, responsible for who we are, responsible for the way we face and deal with the world and ultimately responsible for the way the world is. This is the philosophy of “no excuses” that Kierkegaard and Camus found congenial and meaningful. It is also the world that Shelby Steele lives in.
I have only one recommendation other than buying and reading this book—we need to prevail on Rush Limbaugh, if he already hasn’t done so, to interview Shelby Steele on several or more occasions. His thoughts need to be reflected upon by all of those who really think rather than simply emote. Bill Moyers and obscure book reviews are insufficient.
Shelby suffers from a dual disability-being black and being an intellectual. The former is easier to get around than the latter. If something isn’t 300 words or less or amenable to one-liners on the late shows, it seldom makes a dent in what and how we think. Sometimes this is remedied after the author’s death but, hopefully, that is many years in the future. Rush could broadcast and give a popular, conservative imprimatur to Shelby’s thoughts.
We not playing hopscotch here where every player ‘gets a turn.’
I think he could be a flash in the pan. The trouble is he could be into his 2nd or 3rd year in the WH when he fizzles out. At which point power mongers will have thoroughly usurped the power of the Presidency and entrenched themselves. He would truly be an empty suit then with no accountable person/s holding the reins. He is one of two candidates that is perfect to become a controllable puppet and one who will be subordinate to no one. Fine fix we’re in, Ollie.
To be clearer; the third one is one who will not subordinate to others.
I started reading Steele in the early 90s as he graduated from the same college that my son attended.
I believe I have read most of his books save this latest one that I have heard about.
He is a very gifted thinker. He is also very honest in his approach.
True.
"At which point power mongers will have thoroughly usurped the power of the Presidency and entrenched themselves."
Yup, they always do and to hell with the best interests of the republic & the republic's citizens.
He'd be standing on some mighty tall shoulders, in that regard.
"He would truly be an empty suit then with no accountable person/s holding the reins."
*Not* so, grasshopper. {g}
You and I will not see the strings suspending this puppet, but they'll be there alright.
"He is one of two candidates that is perfect to become a controllable puppet..."
HA!!
Yea! :o)
...and one who will be subordinate to no one. Fine fix we’re in, Ollie."
What gets us to [that] point will actually be the worst part.
The author spoke of the *roles* each of us have been assigned, racially speaking, and he's correct to that extent.
Buttttt if we think we've seen the "race card" played, if we thought --D or R-- by electing a black anything will put a stop to the racial clubbing?
We aint seen nothin', yet.
Any criticism whatsoever will be labeled an overt, or covert act of racism.
What else could it be? ;^)
"To be clearer; the third one is one who will not subordinate to others."
Should've left it unclear, my friend.
At this stage there's only one *entity* to blame for this predicament, the GOP.
Not that they care.
What bothers me most is I cannot, however hard I try, figure out the reasoning, the motive(s) behind this.
...& neither has anyone I've read, saw or heard.
That depends on certain things. We are speaking of an unknown quantity here. Is he as naive as some think he is? If so he may bolt, like a startled horse, when he sees it and try to expose those strings. Lots of interesting things could happen then. Of course the gap in the continuity of the status quo reality will be quickly covered over...but there will be a brief moment when the works are uncovered.
But he may be much more street wise than he appears to be. He may be prepared to deal with the most malevolent forces that come at him without even a hint of breaking character. So far he has barely acknowledged the existence of the mighty power of Clinton Inc. Innocent prey or crafty hunter?
Or he could be in the middle. Youthful idealist who will come around after a crushing dose of reality sets him on his butt. We just don't have a good idea yet of how big is his ego, how good is his jiu jitsu and how pragmatic he is. It's a given that he's jumping into shark infested waters. Maybe he will use sharks as surfboards.
We aint seen nothin', yet. Any criticism whatsoever will be labeled an overt, or covert act of racism.
He can use that to herd sharks pretty effectively or kill them if he wants to. He has proven to be pretty skilled so far. That poison well is a huge aquifer and he has tapped directly into it. That power is his to lose now.
At this stage there's only one *entity* to blame for this predicament, the GOP. Not that they care. What bothers me most is I cannot, however hard I try, figure out the reasoning, the motive(s) behind this.
The only rational conclusion I can find for that is unspeakable. No one wants to even think it.
Bump.
We are?
Think about that again, then get back to me.
"Is he as naive as some think he is?"
It is those who think like [that] who're naive.
We're talking about the heir to the candidacy of the Democrat Party of The United States of America, here.
One might see crooks, slicksters and some say --as in the case of Clintigula-- even murderers (or at least complicit in).
Not a fool.
"If so he may bolt, like a startled horse, when he sees it and try to expose those strings."
Maybe, maybe not.
**Much of your --albeit logical-- theory relies on whether or not our quisling mediots even *ask* the kind of question(s) you suggest.**
Remember Clintigula?
So very many question never even asked, eh?
"Lots of interesting things could happen then."
Yes.
Lots of interesting *things* are likely to happen, anyway.
All for them, none for us.
Are ya pumped!! :o)
"Of course the gap in the continuity of the status quo reality will be quickly covered over..."
Yea, see ** .
"...but there will be a brief moment when the works are uncovered."
People will see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear and disregard all the rest.
Careful assuming the American public understands much of anything, too.
A loser's position, every time.
"But he may be much more street wise than he appears to be."
Gee whiz TE, y'think? :^)
Lesse now, a shyster from Illinois residing in Chicago.
Perhaps because of your geographic location you haven't heard of Illinois *&* the state of Chicago's reputation.
I have, all my life.
Let's just say when Obama --& any other pol from IL-- dies? They must be strapped to a power auger & screwed in[to] the ground.
This Obama, he's one greased eel.
"He may be prepared to deal with the most malevolent forces that come at him without even a hint of breaking character."
Like his running for the nomination?
Like that? ;^)
"So far he has barely acknowledged the existence of the mighty power of Clinton Inc. Innocent prey or crafty hunter?"
Nawwwww, why sh/would he?
He knows what we all at this place know about the Grifters.
I'm betting he's daring them to make a power-play in which case he's guaranteed something good.
Blacks who only want to see a black in the WH, can't name a single thing Obama's done nor care?
They'd make a fairly respectable *army*, y'know.
Don't think for one second the opposition doesn't understand the nature of what they're dealing with and up against, they should since THEY spawned the Frankenstein Monster.
There're extreme consequences for messing with this so they'd best be careful or they might very well find themselves in someplace akin to Fort Mercy Park.
I am not kidding, either.
FWIW I half-suspect the big eared louse made a special trip to SC for one reason: to cinch a deal with the Breck Girl. BG's delegates in exchange for VP.
How's that?
Obama's in a position to make a hellova lot better deal than Kerry ever could offer because Obama's gonna win.
Everyone who's anyone knows it including, but not limited to, the Breck Girl.
"Or he could be in the middle. Youthful idealist who will come around after a crushing dose of reality sets him on his butt."
Careful projecting, seeing just what you want (or would like) to see, now.
We're dealing in what is & isn't plausible, right now reality is Obama's so if anyone has to guard their butt it'd be Hillary. And that's some butt to protect, too.
"We just don't have a good idea yet of how big is his ego..."
TE he's not just a garden variety politician, he's one running for POTUS.
Been groomed, arose from --literally-- nowhere & stands poised to wrap it up.
Point is there are no bigger egos on the planet, maybe in the galaxy for all I know, then the kind one witnesses vieing for that job.
"...how good is his jiu jitsu and how pragmatic he is. It's a given that he's jumping into shark infested waters. Maybe he will use sharks as surfboards."
Obama gets the 'Rat nomination & knows all-to-well *sharks* come with the territory, begin circling at the mere hint of a meal. Blood's not the only thing exciting sharks, I'm told.
>We aint seen nothin', yet. Any criticism whatsoever will be labeled an overt, or covert act of racism.
"He can use that to herd sharks pretty effectively or kill them if he wants to. He has proven to be pretty skilled so far. That poison well is a huge aquifer and he has tapped directly into it. That power is his to lose now."
Bottom line: Obama ain't gonna lose anything.
*Only* thing I'll be waiting --with baited breath -- to see are exactly WTH's behind the guy.
Otherwise, I'm pretty much resigned to my fate & political terminal shock's set-in.
Look at this another way, the powers-that-be didn't pick McCain for nothing.
>At this stage there's only one *entity* to blame for this predicament, the GOP. Not that they care. What bothers me most is I cannot, however hard I try, figure out the reasoning, the motive(s) behind this.
"The only rational conclusion I can find for that is unspeakable. No one wants to even think it."
HA!!
Well my friend, they'd all better damned well start thinking about it.
...now. ;^)
as long as he can’t win, that’s all I care about.
Think about that again, then get back to me.
OK
One might see crooks, slicksters and some say --as in the case of Clintigula-- even murderers (or at least complicit in). Not a fool.
TE he's not just a garden variety politician, he's one running for POTUS. Been groomed, arose from --literally-- nowhere ...
McGovern.
Mondale.
Dukakis.
Gore.
Kerry.
So very many question never even asked, eh?
People will see what they want to see, hear what they want to hear and disregard all the rest. Careful assuming the American public understands much of anything, too.
I was thinking of people who have their eyes open. There are more than perhaps you think there are. The "public," by and large, will never get it.
Lots of interesting *things* are likely to happen, anyway. All for them, none for us. Are ya pumped!! :o)
Now that sounds more like the "sky is falling" crowd around here. Since when does history unfold smoothly and neatly following the expectations of likelihood? Stuff happens.
Like his running for the nomination? Like that? ;^)
Yeah, like that. He done good work in the junior beauty pageant of the primaries.
They'd make a fairly respectable *army*, y'know.
Good for a few weeks rioting no doubt.
There're extreme consequences for messing with this so they'd best be careful or they might very well find themselves in someplace akin to Fort Mercy Park.
I'm not sure who you meant but my answer is "that's a double edged sword" anyway. That's what I meant about the "unknown quantity." With the whole Kennedy clan in his corner, and who knows who else, I don't think it's safe to bet on who is deadlier. He could be more dangerous than even he knows. What you are saying there is ... stuff happens.
Careful projecting, seeing just what you want (or would like) to see, now.
Back to the first answer. I was just outlining the spectrum of possibility.
Look at this another way, the powers-that-be didn't pick McCain for nothing.
Or maybe the picked him precisely for nothing. Now we're full circle back to what no one wants to think about. It is all planned out.
Islam will see President Obama’s presidency as the perfect time to fulfill their ultimate goal - to detonate multiple nuclear warheads in the US. A financial collapse of the US economy will immediately follow. President Obama will promptly call for an East/West Peace summit were the terms of our surrender will be negotiated.
The Federal government will use the nuclear terrorism to consolidate its power over the American people. Unable to continue to control us through our capital, the federal government will move to control us militarily. Tanks will roll on the streets of American cities.
When the bombs do go off, 30 million precious souls murdered in their mother’s womb will cry, “justice”. Could that be what the Islamists mean when they call us the “Great Satan” - that we murder our unborn children. Literally ripping them apart as they struggle to be born. Did we really think we could continue that with impunity.
Fred Thompson would have turned us back from that holocaust of the most innocent. I believe it was our last chance. But the American people didn’t care enough to turn off their TV’s long enough to find out what the stakes were and what they needed to do.
Virtually over night, at least to most people it will seem, the US will have become a Third World country. The only question is, what will happen afterward.
As hard as I try, I can find no way out of the inevitability of this scenario. The good news for most will be, that their regularly scheduled TV programs will be uninterrupted.
Thanks for the ping, I would have missed this otherwise. Very interesting!
Full moon.
That and because of the subzero temps, haven't been able to enjoy a fine cigar up in my escape pod for days.
Crabby as hell.
"One might see crooks, slicksters and some say --as in the case of Clintigula-- even murderers (or at least complicit in). Not a fool.
>TE he's not just a garden variety politician...
"McGovern. Mondale. Dukakis. Gore. Kerry."
Yea, and?
Those men, while all losers, are "whales" in the arena of ego.
>Careful assuming the American public understands much of anything, too.
"I was thinking of people who have their eyes open. There are more than perhaps you think there are."
Oh?
We shall see about that.
Fact is, and I've heard no one mention this, the upcoming election's going to clearly illustrate for all --with eyes wide open-- something very important we up to now could only speculate [on].
Namely: The numbers of informed "producers" v.s. the uninformed takers.
As I said up to now we could only speculate about that all-important number; but, if in fact Obama's elected?
Guess what it means, without a doubt, in terms of demographics?
This one's a *real* litmus.
"The "public," by and large, will never get it."
Wait a doggone minute there, *I* am the public.
So are you.
I've long felt there's simply not enough of us and far too many of them and that question's about to be answered.
For once & for finally, I might add.
>Lots of interesting *things* are likely to happen, anyway. All for them, none for us.
"Now that sounds more like the "sky is falling" crowd around here."
So be it.
In one short week I've went from being labeled --by you, incidentally-- an optimist and now the polar opposite.
Que Peggy Lee, here.
"Since when does history unfold smoothly and neatly following the expectations of likelihood? Stuff happens."
Strike "likelihood", insert probability.
Feel better?
>Like his running for the nomination? Like that?
"He done good work in the junior beauty pageant of the primaries."
And some beauty pageant it is/was, too.
>They'd make a fairly respectable *army*, y'know.
"Good for a few weeks rioting no doubt."
Oh, perhaps more than that.
Half the globe's population's Muslim, that's what 2,000,000,000 people or there about?
In any event we all have front row seats and let us not forget Steele believes he won't make the cut.
Let's pray, hope, chant or whatever Steele's correct.
>There're extreme consequences for messing with this so they'd best be careful or they might very well find themselves in someplace akin to Fort Mercy Park.
"I'm not sure who you meant..."
The Clintons.
Clintigula & ruggy better damned well be careful, the path they walk is fraught with all manner of mines & hazards.
"...but my answer is "that's a double edged sword" anyway."
HA!!
Ten years ago I would've agreed with you; but, the times they are a changin' with or without our permission and surely without our understanding.
"That's what I meant about the "unknown quantity." With the whole Kennedy clan in his corner, and who knows who else, I don't think it's safe to bet on who is deadlier. He could be more dangerous than even he knows. What you are saying there is ... stuff happens."
What I'm saying was at 60Hz with what you said, still is.
Moving on.
>Look at this another way, the powers-that-be didn't pick McCain for nothing.
"Or maybe the picked him precisely for nothing."
Y'think?
"Now we're full circle back to what no one wants to think about. It is all planned out."
"Time will tell us, who's trying to sell us.".
...as the ol' song went? :^)
They will?
Care to expand on that, my friend?
Conventional wisdom would dictate just the opposite, ie, a POTUS with a Muslim connection c/would establish some kind of *bridge* where none exists, now. Where "bridge" means dialog, not bloodshed. Capiche?
I'll guarantee that's how it'll be marketed.
"A financial collapse of the US economy will immediately follow. President Obama will promptly call for an East/West Peace summit were the terms of our surrender will be negotiated."
So.
You think the armed forces, population --even if only a minority-- will stand idly by & watch this happen?
Can you spell, "coup"?
"The Federal government will use the nuclear terrorism to consolidate its power over the American people."
My friend.
The Feds don't *need* anything so dramatic, don'tchu think there're doing [that] now as it is?
No tin foil hat stuff here, I'm serious.
"Unable to continue to control us through our capital, the federal government will move to control us militarily. Tanks will roll on the streets of American cities."
Only after resistance w/could it happen, tanks rolling in our streets.
In which case Mr. Fed will learn he has bigger problems than he realized if it were assumed our military will/would remain loyal, unquestioning to such crap.
They'll have to fight a fight within a fight.
"When the bombs do go off, 30 million precious souls murdered in their mother’s womb will cry, “justice”. Could that be what the Islamists mean when they call us the “Great Satan” - that we murder our unborn children. Literally ripping them apart as they struggle to be born."
Hard for me to say, do the Islamic nations have access to abortion?
Truth is the Islamic nations evolved very quickly because of enormous oil revenues *&* western education.
They appear to be dealing with technologies incompatible with their faith of Islam.
That's the rub.
Imagine you're a practicing Muslim Arab, never been *to* the west.
First now --within the past 10 years or so-- you get a TV satellite dish!!
Turning it on & there's some of this & there's some of that, then you hit channels with hardcore pornography.
Think such an experience might generate more than a few religious "extremists" convinced a[ny] society who'd permit such filth --in the name of "freedom", no-less-- wasn't the very spawn of the Devil Itself?
Something to ponder as long as we're seeking answer(s).
"Did we really think we could continue that with impunity."
Apparently we did & do, yes.
The baby mills are still busy as little bees, murdering the most innocent among us.
Hell with, "The Great Satan.
If we're anything it'd be, "The Great Contradiction". {~whatever we are, what you've said above can & will surely be construed as unpatriotic & i'm more concerned at this time you'll be asked to, "Search4Truth" elsewhere. ok? When in Rome & all that. ;^)}
"Fred Thompson would have turned us back from that holocaust of the most innocent."
Think so?
Most I could give Fred or any other politician opposed to the slaughter would be, they tried.
Haven't you heard, Americans get what they want.
"I believe it was our last chance. But the American people didn’t care enough to turn off their TV’s long enough to find out what the stakes were and what they needed to do."
To a large extent I'd agree with what you've said, just not sure it's for the same reason(s).
"Virtually over night, at least to most people it will seem, the US will have become a Third World country."
Y'know?
I've several friends *&* acquaintances living in L.A., the southwest et al and *they* tell me it already has become a 3rd -world.
In fact that dubious status is precisely what they're fighting about, to no avail.
"The only question is, what will happen afterward."
Only answer is, prepare for the worst & hope for the best.
No?
"As hard as I try, I can find no way out of the inevitability of this scenario."
Hold-on, please allow fate to play its hand.
Right now it you, I & many others are fighting the worst of all demons, our imaginations.
Not healthy y'know, imagination isn't rooted in reality or vice versa.
"The good news for most will be, that their regularly scheduled TV programs will be uninterrupted."
I dunno, sounds to me?
...like business as usual, then. ;^)
And a lunar eclipse too! Sorry, Bro. I enjoy a good cigar too.
Yea, and? Those men, while all losers, are "whales" in the arena of ego.
The key word there is "losers." Doesn't that severely undercut your "no ordinary, groomed for, inevitable" theory?
Wait a doggone minute there, *I* am the public. So are you.
C'mon. Do you and I just swallow whatever is dished out?
For once & for finally, I might add.
My thinking is heavily influenced by the doctrines on impermanence so "for once & for finally" doesn't wash with reality as I see it. But impermanence also suggests that the Republic will come and go too. I won't disagree that the tipping point has come where the electorate has discovered it can vote itself money and we have moved from republic to democracy to socialist state. Dictatorship here we come.
In one short week I've went from being labeled --by you, incidentally-- an optimist and now the polar opposite.
LOLOL There's that impermanence thing again. lmao Ahem, I didn't know you so well last week. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...for now. /s
Clintigula & ruggy better damned well be careful, the path they walk is fraught with all manner of mines & hazards.
That's true. It's a bet as to who will put who in the Park. And in spite of their myopic arrogance they aren't the only ones who carry daggers under their cloaks. The *army* might get them both (or all three) in Denver. Wouldn't that be something if the rabble did the deed and not another player? Probability is reasonably reliable if you're placing a bet but history has turned on the oddest of events.
Let's pray, hope, chant or whatever Steele's correct.
Always do what you can do in the way you prefer to do it. Also stock up on cigars and popcorn. The show may be a stinker but no sense watching it without some proper accouterments.
What I'm saying was at 60Hz with what you said, still is.
I'll have to ask my teacher what that metaphor means. He has become a HAM fanatic. I may have to become one just to talk to him in the future. He hates the telephone.
...as the ol' song went? :^)
I dont know the words but the refrain is awfully familiar. ;^)
Will miracles never cease.
>Yea, and? Those men, while all losers, are "whales" in the arena of ego.
"The key word there is "losers." Doesn't that severely undercut your "no ordinary, groomed for, inevitable" theory?"
No, hardly.
It demonstrates I didn't do a good job conveying my idea to you.
It isn't whether one wins or loses for those running for high profile positions It's that they ran, to start. Laying every facet of their lives open to scrutiny requires one not be shy, possess a mighty large ego.
>Wait a doggone minute there, *I* am the public. So are you.
"C'mon. Do you and I just swallow whatever is dished out?"
Well my friend again it isn't whether we swallow or not.
The questrion is do we [ever] have a choice?
See?
>For once & for finally, I might add.
"My thinking is heavily influenced by the doctrines on impermanence so "for once & for finally" doesn't wash with reality as I see it."
Taken in the proper context, it should.
>In one short week I've went from being labeled --by you, incidentally-- an optimist and now the polar opposite.
"LOLOL There's that impermanence thing again. lmao Ahem, I didn't know you so well last week. That's my excuse and I'm sticking to it...for now."
Familiarity does breed contempt, they say.
>Clintigula & ruggy better damned well be careful, the path they walk is fraught with all manner of mines & hazards.
"That's true. It's a bet as to who will put who in the Park. And in spite of their myopic arrogance they aren't the only ones who carry daggers under their cloaks. The *army* might get them both (or all three) in Denver."
Denver?
Why Denver?
>Let's pray, hope, chant or whatever Steele's correct.
"Always do what you can do in the way you prefer to do it."
Always.
"Also stock up on cigars and popcorn. The show may be a stinker but no sense watching it without some proper accouterments."
From the mouths of babes.
>What I'm saying was at 60Hz with what you said, still is.
"I'll have to ask my teacher what that metaphor means."
Frequency, we're in-synch. {ol' EEs never die, just lose potential.}
"He has become a HAM fanatic."
Better than a ham who becomes a fanatic, I'd think.
Count your blessings.
"I may have to become one just to talk to him in the future. He hates the telephone."
HA!!
What're friends for.
>...as the ol' song went? :^)
"I dont know the words but the refrain is awfully familiar."
CS&N.
I suspect you're too young.
Have a good one, I'm outa here.
A few well earned days winter get-a-way is due.
Besides.
...we hijacked enough of this thread. ;^)
Denver is where the DNC convention will be. If they don't have a nominee by then...and Hill tries to take the delegates while losing the popular vote...could be fun.
...we hijacked enough of this thread. ;^)
This thead was nothing without us! /s
Have a great break.
Shelby Steele’s black? I’ve heard of him for a long time, but never anything about his race. I wonder why?
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