Moral Stupidity by Orson Scott Card (OSC)

Ornery.org ^ | June 16, 2003 | Orson Scott Card

[mathluv]

Thanks. Actually, I am ready for his third book in that series. I have it, but others are ahead of it right now - Dereliction of Duty, and Treason, for two.

[Mad Dawgg]

"I recently added Theodore Dalrymple (also here) to the list."

You should give S.M. Stirling A try also.

Most of his storys give me the idea he is a Big "L" Libertarian/Small "c" Conservative. And, his books are great especially "Island in the Sea of Time"

[Tolik]

Thanks, I never read him, will give it a try

[powderhorn]

That's because I cannot find a single leader in the Democratic Party who is capable of acting on the basis of what is right, rather than what will make our side win.

I've read 5 or 6 of OSC's books. I think he's best described as an "ethicist," not a moralist or an idealogue. I'd like to see more of that kind of thinking on Free Repbublic.

Right now the Democratic Party has a serious problem: they are participating in the political struggle from a defensive position. They HAVE TO take more risks (ethical, moral, idealogical risks). On the other hand, the Republican Party can get away with taking far fewer risks. If the Dems try to play it safe and stay away from hot button issues they'll most certainly lose. If they go for the hot button issues--well, they'll probably still lose, but it's about the only chance they have.

I see both political machines as having little to do with ethics, morals or ideals. They do what it takes to get their guys elected. Individual politicians come in various stripes on both sides, but they each have to pay homage to their political machines. The Dems are walking on eggs--and breaking most of them as they go.

I do disagree with OSC on the idea that just the Dems tried to steal the election. It was a close election and it would be hard to determine who tried to steal the election the most. It just turned out that the the Reps had a slightly stronger machine.

[spinestein]

bookmark

[Tolik]

Wonderful, an older article found another reader. How did you get to it?

Regardless, it is brilliant and no way stale.

[spinestein]

Whoa, I didn’t realize this was an old thread. . . and it’s from 2003!

I was doing a search for Orson Scott Card opinion pieces because of the recent one I read regarding the silence of journalists while excusing the Democrat’s role in the mortgage fiasco.

His writing is well thought out.