Posted on 10/12/2004 12:23:34 PM PDT by quidnunc
Canada, in Lloyd Axworthy's famous distinction, wields enormous "soft power," in contrast to America with its old-fashioned "hard power." If you say so, Lloyd. But it seems to me the real distinction is more profound between hard culture and soft culture.
That shrewd analyst of demographic and political trends, Michael Barone, recently published a book called Hard America, Soft America: Competition vs. Coddling and the Battle for the Nation's Future. It's hard to imagine anyone writing a book called Hard Canada, Soft Canada; that question got settled a generation ago. We're not the only ones, of course a book called Hard Europe, Soft Europe would be equally improbable.
"Soft power" is wielded by soft cultures, usually because they lack the will to muster hard power. Can you remain a soft power for long? Maybe a generation or two. But a soft culture will, by its very nature, be unlikely to find the strength to stand up to a sustained assault by blunter, cruder forces. To take a small example: On the night of September 11, 2001, a gang of Muslim youths rampaged through the streets of Bradford, England, celebrating Islam's glorious victory over the Great Satan. They pounded on the hoods or, to use the quaint locution of British English, bonnets of cars, hammered the doors and demanded the drivers join them in their chants of "Osama bin Laden is a great man."
Try that in Texas, and the guy will reach into his glove box and blow your head off. In Vermont, too. But in Britain you're not allowed to own a gun or even (to all intents and purposes) resist assault. So the unfortunate burghers of Bradford went home cowed and terrified, and the Muslim gangs went swaggering off
-snip-
(Excerpt) Read more at westernstandard.ca ...
Yeah...and the irony should not be lost in that these are the people who have the nerve to say that religion is the opiate of the masses. On the contrary...as we are witnessing world-wide, it is Marxism, that is creating junkies, addicted to the State.
Steyn lives in Hew Hampshire.
Why, what a wonderful snapshot of the Democrat Party.
My mistake! For some reason, I was always under the impression that he lived in Canada. Thanks for pointing it out to me.
Amen, brother.
Try that in Texas, and the guy will reach into his glove box and blow your head off. In Vermont, too. But in New York you're not allowed to own a gun or even (to all intents and purposes) resist assault.
The whirlwind is coming...keep basic survival gear at hand!
*Interesting that the four terrorists arrested in Bufallo, NY 2 years ago where members of Handgun Control, Inc. and registered Dems.*
It will probably 'harden up' when attacked for real by the Islamists. A day like Beslan's would get some aggression going, I think. If not, they are lost.
thank you
Steyn hears almost all and sees almost all and then puts it together. Of course, I am bumping.
bump
No, there is David Warren as well.
Thanks...I couldn't get the gift bugmenot to work...but is this OK to do? Don't want to get FR into problems.
It is under attack.
In Europe there is a polite conspiracy of silence about the favorite pastime of young Muslim males; gang raping Christian girls. The response ? More political correctness. Mandatory Koran training in Denmark.
The Scandinavian isn't even man enough to protect his women. It doesn't get lower than that.
The political culture of New York is soft but the economic culture is ruthless. It is where the hyper-motivated from all over the country come to seek their fortunes. Aren't New Yorkers legendary for their callous abruptness and arrogance ?
Beautiful mind.
Hey thanks for the full version. I hate registering.
Him and me.
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