Is Alan Keyes Making Sense?

Strike The Root ^ | March 13, 2002 | Jef Allen

[humbletheFiend]

The few times I've been able to watch more than a nanosecond of his show, he seems more enamored with the sound of his own voice

Everyone is enamored with the sound of his voice.

[uncbob]

"Of course, an entire people cannot have so perfect an understanding as its statesmen of the causes that justify, even require, going to war. Human history has taught us time and time again that as the simple faith of the peasant necessarily lacks much of the precision of the theologian's doctrine, so the judgment of any nation will always lack much of the sophistication of the statesman's subtle reasoning."

Well I thought that is why the founders decided the act of declaring war should be decided in the halls of congress where the statesmaen will have a chance to explain their subtle reasoning to the peoples representatives

[Capt. Tom]

Sorry, Mr. Jef Allen. We are NOT an informed electorate.

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter."
-- Winston Churchill

[humbletheFiend]

THAT'S the reason he wore the same sweater for three week's straight!

For you, I even brought the sweater:

[humbletheFiend]

Its an amazing day, I completely agree with you! Keyes is just a camera loving ego-addict, as much as O'Reilly is.

There is a big difference between O'Reilly and Keyes. O'Reilly occasionally criticizes the President.

[uncbob]

"The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter." -- Winston Churchill

Actually the founders didn't foresee universal sufferage . There were qualifications left to the states to decide

Problem is TOO many people have the right to vote

[antaresequity]

Keyes is just a camera loving ego-addict,

Thats it? Is that all that drives Keyes?..He couldn't actually believe what he says...far too complicated.

I am so glad you cleared that up for me...

Keys maybe what you describe...but it is among many other things Keyes is...

I think he is far more complex. He certainly posses' a level of intellect that is absent in most television programming...if nothing else I find that refreshing.

[Catspaw]

EEEK! I'm a knitter. I know sweaters. And I know that there's more than one sweater in this world. But after seeing THAT sweater day after day, I'd like to see it ceremoniously torched, like disco records.

[humbletheFiend]

You're missing Donna Summer, aren't you?

Wouldn't she be a great guest for the show?

[LarryLied]

Alan's comments about peasants and theologians is right from Leo Strauss--Bill Kristol's hero. Keyes not only roomed with Kristol at Harvard, they both developed a similar political philosophy--the Straussian idea that an enlightened elite must guide the peasants.

[jesterhazy]

I'd take Keyes seriously, except for the fact that he sounds like a coked-up Kermit the frog...

[Catspaw]

You're missing Donna Summer, aren't you?

Wouldn't she be a great guest for the show?

I'm holding out for KC--and you can toss in the Sunshine Band. Alan needs music.

Of course, I'll be the one on the couch with her fingers in her ears, going HMMMMMMMMM really loud. Unfortunately, my hubby would not only watch, but say things like, "That song of KC's--it's a classic."

It's a mixed marriage. Sigh.

[Catspaw]

the Straussian idea that an enlightened elite must guide the peasants.

Does this mean I have to go back to my in-law's farm? I'm just not that fond of the manure spreader, you know, although haying's not bad, just a little hard on the back.

[eddie willers]

As an Objectivist (I've had to drop the libetarian moniker since 9/11 and seeing the crazy reactions of Browne et al) I found myself lining up with Dr. Keyes on so many issues that I voted for him in the 2000 primary. (Bush was a shoo-in here in Georgia).

Thanks for the ping.

[gfactor]

Well said, Alan Keyes.

you know, in the soviet union there was a professional class of people endowed with the ability to make decisions. if alan keyes wants a kommissar class, he's welcome to it. I say all power to the soviets!

[Capt. Tom]

Actually the founders didn't foresee universal sufferage . There were qualifications left to the states to decide
No doubt about that.

If you notice Winston C is talking about a democracy. The founding fathers were smart enough to stay away from democracy and go to a Representative Republic with restrictions on who was going to have the right to vote. -Tom

[gfactor]

the Straussian idea that an enlightened elite must guide the peasants.

if by force, then fascist. if by birth, monarchy. if by wealth, then plutocracy, but always, always "elitism". very "enlightened". thanks a lot "enlightenment".

[humbletheFiend]

(Bush was a shoo-in here in Georgia).

Georgia is just full of neo-Keyesians.

[LarryLied]

Does this mean I have to go back to my in-law's farm?

Nope. No peasant work for you. I've read what you write. You are glib and clever enough to be an educated elite. All you need is to practice being rude and arrogant. In no time you too will have a cult following.