The so-called "intellectual" Progressives and are more aptly described as "pseudointellectuals."
Scratch the surface just a little, and one finds little intellectual depth and substance. For the most part, they are mere pretenders, revealing little understanding human history, especially American history.
They get away with their pretense of knowledge by intimidation and bravado.
Take their criticism of Candidate George W. Bush when, during a debate, in response to a question about his "favorite political philosopher," he answered, "Jesus Christ, because he changed my heart."
Oh, the pseudointellectuals on the Left and in the media had a field day in commenting on what they perceived to be ignorance and naivete.
By opening their mouths to criticize him, they actually opened a window to their minds which allowed a view into their own ignorance and lack of intellectual depth. As a matter of fact, GWB was in extremely good company when he identified the philosophy of Jesus in such a manner.
Clearly, not one of his critics possessed sufficient knowledge of American history to realize that a former President who ranks high on the list of truly "intellectual" Americans wrote about his own strong admiration for the same "philosopher" whose "system" he thought to be the "most correct of all the philosophers." That man was no less than Thomas Jefferson.
At an April 29, 1962, dinner honoring 49 Nobel Laureates, John F. Kennedy quipped, "I think this is the most extraordinary collection of talent and of human knowledge that has ever been gathered together at the White House -- with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone." - (Simpson’s Contemporary Quotations, 1988, from Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: John F. Kennedy, 1962, p. 347).
Anyway, of Jesus, Jefferson wrote that Jesus "preached philanthropy and universal charity and benevolence," that "a system of morals is presented to us [by Jesus], which, if filled up in the style and spirit of the rich fragments he left us, would be the most perfect and sublime that has ever been taught by man."
He stated, "His moral doctrines...were more pure and perfect than those of the most correct of the philosophers...and they went far beyond both in inculcating universal philanthropy, not only to kindred and friends, to neighbors and countrymen, but to all mankind, gathering all into one family, under the bonds of love, charity, peace, common wants, and common aids," which, Jefferson said, "will evince the peculiar superiority of the system of Jesus over all others."
Sometimes the "know-it-alls" of today simply reveal their own ignorance when they assume a certain pseudointellectual "superiority" over others.
Yes -- but amongst all the speeches and soundbites of that campaign, I thought that was one of the smarter, and in some ways more appreciably genuine, things that GWB ever said!
Your post to that effect was excellent, much obliged for the good read.