Posted on 11/10/2008 7:47:23 PM PST by jazusamo
Among the many wonders to be expected from an Obama administration, if Nicholas D. Kristof of the New York Times is to be believed, is ending "the anti-intellectualism that has long been a strain in American life."
He cited Adlai Stevenson, the suave and debonair governor of Illinois, who twice ran for president against Eisenhower in the 1950s, as an example of an intellectual in politics.
Intellectuals, according to Mr. Kristof, are people who are "interested in ideas and comfortable with complexity," people who "read the classics."
It is hard to know whether to laugh or cry.
Adlai Stevenson was certainly regarded as an intellectual by intellectuals in the 1950s. But, half a century later, facts paint a very different picture.
Historian Michael Beschloss, among others, has noted that Stevenson "could go quite happily for months or years without picking up a book." But Stevenson had the airs of an intellectual — the form, rather than the substance.
What is more telling, form was enough to impress the intellectuals, not only then but even now, years after the facts have been revealed, though apparently not to Mr. Kristof.
That is one of many reasons why intellectuals are not taken as seriously by others as they take themselves.
(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...
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Yeah, because if President Teleprompter isn’t an ‘intellectual’ i don’t know what is... speaking of, when are we going to see O’s college transcripts and LSAT scores? still waiting...
ping for later
Someone called me an intellectual once and I almost punched him, which of course would have been sufficient proof that I was no such thing.
Thomas Sowell is an intellectual, too bad Obama would never tap him for anything.
Ha, maybe you should have and learned him something. :)
Dr. Sowell has a wonderful ability to express himself, but a true reason to respect Sowell is the credit he unjealously gives to others who deserve it.
Another Sowell gem!
If Mr.Kristof of the New York Times thinks we don’t like intellectuals now, just wait until we’re done with Obama. Of course, wasn’t Carter supposed to be an intellectual as well?
So true, that was a great line by Buckley and Dr. Sowell fully appreciates it.
“That is one of many reasons why intellectuals are not taken as seriously by others as they take themselves.”
Brings up Orwell’s famous observation...
... ‘an idea SO stupid that ONLY an intellectual would believe it’
STE=Q
That is an amusing line.
“Intellectual” is a word that simply confers favorable status on the person being described—as Sowell rightfully points out here. It has no other value as a characterization.
Good point about BO, he talks a good game but so far in life has done zero. I don’t remember Carter being referred to as an intellectual but he could have been, I was so ticked off at him then I might have blocked it out.
Symbolism/Substance = Obama
Bingo!
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