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GOP Sen. Tom Cotton Says BLM Protestors Deserve NO Quarter. What Does He Mean?
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Democratic Government Depends On Civil Norms And "Gentlemen's Agreements" More Than Law
Alan: What becomes clear over the course of the following interview with Amherst scholar Lawrence Douglas is that functioning democracies ALWAYS depend -- existentially -- on a set of suppositions that politicians "will behave in a fundamentally fair way."
Once healthy, tolerant, open societies put an end to this acculturative process of "power sharing," the door is flung wide to autocracy and suddenly "the enemy is inside the gates."
Douglas, the interviewee-author of "Will He Go? Trump And The Looming Election Meltdown Of 2020" frequently refers to the non-codified, unwritten fundaments of "functioning government" as "the norms."
Open society democracies function only as long as the deep culture of a society perpetuates civil discourse and civil participation as central features of government.
Tragically (and perhaps terminally) the collapse of civility in these "United" States, deprives the body politic of civil discourse and civil participation based on the necessary compromises of democratic power-sharing. (Decades ago, I framed houses for a conservative general contractor who said: "Republicans remain in power until power corrupts them. Then, people vote for Democratic representatives who undertake needed housecleaning until power corrupts them. This cycle repeats itself.")
Without the lubricant-grease of civility -- which is to say without "gentlemen's agreements" -- the bedrock of government crumbles, and in the resulting quicksand-chaos, we discover that the most egocentric, self-seeking politicians are the functionaries most ready, willing and able to fill the sucking void of dysfunctional democracy with autocratic policies and procedures.
Republican Presidential Candidate Pat Buchanan "Summarizes The Republican Philosophy"
Republican presidential candidate, Pat Buchanan, the living American who has served longest as a White House senior staff adviser, observed: “The Republican philosophy might be summarized thus: To hell with principle; what matters is power, and that we have it, and that they do not.” “Where the Right Went Wrong"
"Where love rules, there is no will to power,
and where power predominates, love is lacking.
The one is the shadow of the other."
Carl Jung
Republican presidential candidate, Pat Buchanan, the living American who has served longest as a White House senior staff adviser, observed: “The Republican philosophy might be summarized thus: To hell with principle; what matters is power, and that we have it, and that they do not.” “Where the Right Went Wrong"
"Where love rules, there is no will to power,
and where power predominates, love is lacking.
The one is the shadow of the other."
Carl Jung
and where power predominates, love is lacking.
The one is the shadow of the other."
Carl Jung
What made The Tea Party so successful at "getting its way" (simultaneously beating a path to Trump's autocracy) is that Newt Gingrich and his fundamentally destructive cadres chose to be relentlessly uncivil, so that ALL "gentlemen's agreements" (all norms) were nullified.
This nullification may even have taken place without Tea Party "actors" realizing what they were doing. After all, stupidity and ignorance are hallmarks of incivility. (It was Steve Bannon's evil genius which "clearly realized what he was doing" as he - and by extension Trump - went about the business of deliberately "de-constructing" the administrative state.)
On the surface, America's right-wing believed they were still "playing by the rules" and that "Tea Party conservatism" had won "fairly and squarely."
While it is true that "Tea Party conservatives" continued to play by certain "formal rules," their autocratic impulses "won the political contest" by trashing the uncodified norms of civility (aka "gentlemen's agreements") which have always subtended democratic process --- that root-level set of norms and "gentlemen's agreements" that are fundamentally responsible for the proper functioning of democratic government.
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Former White House Chief Of Staff John Kelly: "I Agree" With Jim Mattis On Trump
Former White House Chief Of Staff John Kelly: 'I Agree' With Jim Mattis On Trump
General James Mattis Describes Trump As A Near-Nazi Turncoat Enemy Of The American People
https://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2020/06/general-james-mattis-describes-trump-as.html
![White House Chief Of Staff General John Kelly Says: "I Agree" With General James Mattis: "Donald Trump Is The First President In My Lifetime Who Does Not Try To Unite The American People - Does Not Even Pretend To Try. Instead He Tries To Divide Us." In Fact, The White House Ordered Troops To "Violate The Constitutional Rights Of Fellow Citizens." | made w/ Imgflip meme maker]()
Statement By General Mattis: If He's Not Saying Trump's A Traitor, What Does "Traitor" Mean?
Former Trump Chief Of Staff John Kelly Dismisses Trump's Claim That Mattis Was Fired
https://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2020/06/former-trump-chief-of-staff-john-kelly.html
![Pax on both houses: Discussion Of General James Mattis With Other ...]()
Follow-Up To Jim Mattis' Reference To Trump As An Ignorant Dolt Who Doesn't Read
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2019/12/cartoon-follow-up-to-jim-mattis.html
![Pax on both houses: General James "Mad Dog" Mattis Takes Trump To Task]()
James Mattis
(...one of only fifty four 4 Star Marine Corps Generals)
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Mattis
James Mattis
(...one of only fifty four 4 Star Marine Corps Generals)
Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Mattis
Excerpts:
George Floyd protests
On June 3, 2020, Mattis issued a statement to The Atlantic in which he criticized Trump's response to the George Floyd protests. He wrote that Trump is "the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people", that America is "witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership", and concluded by calling for accountability for "those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution."[136][137][138]
Since his retirement, Mattis had been guarded when asked to reflect on Trump or military matters, saying he didn't want to detract from the troops. He changed his position after becoming "angry and appalled" about the events leading up to the violent treatment of noncombative protesters near the White House on June 1 for the purpose of a photo op for Trump at the church across Lafayette Square.[137]
Trump responded by Twitter that evening that he "felt great" he had previously asked Mattis to resign, and he didn't like much about Mattis or his "leadership style" and was "Glad he is gone!"[139]
George Floyd protests
On June 3, 2020, Mattis issued a statement to The Atlantic in which he criticized Trump's response to the George Floyd protests. He wrote that Trump is "the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people", that America is "witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership", and concluded by calling for accountability for "those in office who would make a mockery of our Constitution."[136][137][138]
Since his retirement, Mattis had been guarded when asked to reflect on Trump or military matters, saying he didn't want to detract from the troops. He changed his position after becoming "angry and appalled" about the events leading up to the violent treatment of noncombative protesters near the White House on June 1 for the purpose of a photo op for Trump at the church across Lafayette Square.[137]
Trump responded by Twitter that evening that he "felt great" he had previously asked Mattis to resign, and he didn't like much about Mattis or his "leadership style" and was "Glad he is gone!"[139]
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Trump's America Is A Failed State. "Conservative""Christianity" Is A Failed Religion
"The Moral Confusion Of Trump Christians," John Pavlovitz
https://paxonbothhouses.
Christian Ministers Have A Moral Obligation To Call Bullshit On Trump Cultists Spreading Lies
https://paxonbothhouses.
https://paxonbothhouses.
"The Love Of Money Is The Root Of All Evil" - An Open Invitation To Christian Conservatives
If Trump Cult Liars Do Not Repent, Their Descendants Will Be Ashamed Of Them Forever
https://paxonbothhouses.
https://paxonbothhouses.
"Conservative""Christians" Refuse To Distinguish Between Punishment And Compassion
https://paxonbothhouses.Fr. Thomas Merton Explains -- In 16 Words -- Why "Christian""Conservatives" Are Always Wrong
https://paxonbothhouses.
Merton: "God Is Sick Of The Rich People And The Powerful And The Wise Men Of The World"
"Thomas Merton: Adolf Eichmann, Sanity and Normality"
Armageddon Cheerleaders: "Christian""Conservatives" Pining For Nuclear Conflagration
Compendium Of Best Pax Posts: What I Think About Christianity
https://paxonbothhouses.
"My Gripe With Christianity"
Evangelical Academic Decries Coronavirus Theories: "Gullibility Is Not A Christian Virtue"
(St. Paul Put To Evil Use By "Christian""Conservatives")
"Jimmy Carter On The Separation Of Church And State And The Danger Of Religious Superiority"
https://paxonbothhouses.
Facebook Dialogue With Christian Fundamentalist Friend Who Asks: "How Does Morality Work?"
Aquinas Discovers That "Divine Truth" Cannot Contradict Nature And "The Natural Light"
American Conservatives Are The Apotheosis Of Pharisaism. (Conservatives, Please Weigh In)
The Pharisee Party And The Devolution Of GOP Leaders Into Oligarchs Who Despise Democracy
The Pharisees Are Always With Us: A Field Guide
https://paxonbothhouses.
https://paxonbothhouses.
Bibliolatry... And How To Live Happily Ever After
Why Doesn't This Trump Quote Reveal His Satanic Mendacity To Anyone With A Single Synapse?
"Hey, Christian! How Many Of Jesus' Moral Stands Do You Approve? Take The Test!"
"A Simple Test For Trump Supporters: Are You Hateful, Racist Or A White Nationalist/Supremacist?"
"My Attempt To Supply A Rigid Christian Friend With A Theological Alternative To Self-Strangulation"
Cruelty In Trump's America
Trump's Vicious -- Even Sadistic - Cruelty
"Conservative Cruelty: Donald Trump And The Relentless Normalization Of Monstrosity"
A Critical Mass Of American "Conservatives" Are Stupid, Ignorant, Hateful And Cruel
"Trump's Cruelty Is Not A Marginal Aberration. Trump's Cruelty Is The Point"
"Compendium Of Best Pax Posts On Trump, Toxic Christianity And Cruelty As A Moral Obligation"
"The United States Of Barbaria": It Comes Down To Cruelty...
The Perfect Paradigm For "The United States Of Barbaria"
Christian Conservatives, The Republican Party, And Deliberate Cruelty As A Source Of Laughter
Compendium Of Best Pax Posts On Trump, Toxic Christianity And Cruelty As A Moral Obligation
"The Cruelty Is the Point": Trump And Many Of His Followers Delight In The Suffering Of Enemies
"The Cruelty Is the Point": Trump And Many Of His Followers Delight In The Suffering Of Enemies
In The End, We Choose Between Cruelty And Kindness
Trump's America Is A Deliberately Cruel Place And "Christian""Conservatives" Are The Cruelest
Tennessee Williams' Critique Of Cruelty Should Be Included In The World's Sacred Scripture
https://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2019/09/tennessee-williams-critique-of-cruelty.html
Nobel Laureate Paul Krugman Explains Why Republicans Are Qualitatively Worse Than Scrooge
Best Pax Posts About Trump's Cruelty, Mendacity And Seduction Of "Conservative""Christians"
"Cruelty Is The Point," An Update On Trump's Policies And His White Christian Base
For Trump And Trumpistas Cruelty (AKA Hellish Torment) Is The Point
"Trump Administration Argues That Caged Migrant Kids Don't Deserve Toothpaste And Soap"
Momma Said There'd Be Days Like This: "Cruelty Is The Point"
Family Separation And The Deportation Of Parents Constitute Kidnapping And Human Trafficking
New England Journal Of Medicine Determines The Lethality Of Trump's Family Separation Policy
Trump's Cruelty Is Not A Marginal Aberration. Trump's Cruelty Is The Point
Compendium Of Best Pax Posts On Systematic American Cruelty
"When Hate Came To El Paso," Introduced By A Central American Civil Rights Worker
My Own Contact With Family Separation, And The Young Girl Who Died
(The Story Of UNC-CH Public Health Professor John Hatch)
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2018/06/my-own-contact-with-family-separation.html
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If Hillary Or Obama Had Perpetrated Just One Of Trump's Routine Monstrosities..."
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Catholics Are Just As Likely To Get An Abortion As Other U.S. Women. Why?
Who’s Driving High Abortion Rates? It's The Religious Right
Catholics Are Just As Likely To Get An Abortion As Other U.S. Women. Why?
Religious Women - Evangelical Women In Particular - Are Having The Most Abortions
"How To Reduce Abortion"
(What Delaware's Stunning Abortion Rate Reduction Reveals)
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A Mussolini Apéritif, Followed By Five Uplifting Posts
![Pin on The Daily Trumpet Show]()
How Mussolini Met His End:
Update On Ivana Trump's Revelations Concerning Donald's Fondness For Hitler's Speeches http://paxonbothhouses.blogspo
How Mussolini Met His End:
Update On Ivana Trump's Revelations Concerning Donald's Fondness For Hitler's Speeches
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspo![Trump vs Mussolini - Album on Imgur]()
In 'Humankind,' Rutger Bregman Aims To Convince That Most People Are Good
NPR: Alabama Church Serves Homeless Community With Laundry And Shower Services
Forget "Looting." Unbridled, Cowboy Capitalism Is The Real Robbery
American Conservatives Demand Violence To Keep Violence Alive. Otherwise, It Withers
"You Pharisees! You Build Monuments To The Prophets But Only After You've Killed Them"
Video Of Trump Mocking Murder Victim For Crying Out, "I Can't Breathe"
Frank Zappa Profesied A Fascist Theocracy. Barry Goldwater Agrees
Dr. Andrew Weil On Donald Trump And Adverse Emotional Contagion
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Powerful Images From George Floyd Protest Week
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Mattis, Kelly And Defense Secretary William Cohen All Denounce Trump As A Dangerous Autocrat
We must reject any thinking of our cities as a “battlespace” that our uniformed military is called upon to “dominate.” At home, we should use our military only when requested to do so, on very rare occasions, by state governors. Militarizing our response, as we witnessed in Washington, D.C., sets up a conflict— a false conflict — between the military and civilian society. It erodes the moral ground that ensures a trusted bond between men and women in uniform and the society they are sworn to protect, and of which they themselves are apart. Keeping public order rests with civilian state and local leaders who best understand their communities and are answerable to them.[...]Donald Trump is the first president in my lifetime who does not try to unite the American people —does not even pretend to try. Instead he tries to divide us. We are witnessing the consequences of three years of this deliberate effort. We are witnessing the consequences of three years without mature leadership. We can unite without him, drawing on the strengths inherent in our civil society. This will not be easy, as the past few days have shown, but we owe it to our fellow citizens; to past generations that bled to defend our promise; and to our children.
This sentiment has now been echoed by former Chief of Staff Gen. John Kelly.
“The idea you would unleash American active duty folks unless it’s an extreme situation… the troops hate it,” Kelly said. “They don’t see it as their jobs. They don’t want to be used in that way.”“The separation of powers is very very important,” he said. “No president ever is a dictator or a king.”Elsewhere in the interview, Kelly suggested that Americans need to do a better job of picking their leaders.“I think we need to look harder at who we elect,” he said. “What is their character like. What are their ethics. Are they willing… to represent all of their constituents, not just the base.
Former Defense Secretary William Cohen had a thing to say about it also.
During an appearance on CNN on Friday morning, former Defense Secretary William Cohen – who also served in the U.S. Senate as a Republican — denounced Donald Trump in no uncertain terms, saying his use of military personnel against anti-police brutality protesters is a sign he has set the country on the path to a dictatorship.To emphasize his point, he later called Trump the “dictator-in-chief.”[...]“What does it mean for you to hear a sitting president dismissing a whole range of protesters, who in fact were largely peaceful around the White House, dismissing a whole range of them as terrorists? What does that mean to you?” the CNN host asked.“It means that he has no understanding of what the rule of law really means in this country,” Cohen began. “He has declared he wants to be the ‘president of law and order,’ but that’s not what the declaration of this country is.”
Just to sum up, here’s how my favorite pair of Christians from Middle America Vin and Sori thought of Trump's power play at St. Johns. Sori was a Trump supporter, apparently not so much anymore.
When you’re so Fascist they notice it in Middle America, I think you’ve lost the farm.
· Frank Vyan Walton
For the record, here's some of what the first amendment guarantees.
Right to Assemble / Right to Petition
The right to assemble allows people to gather for peaceful and lawful purposes. Implicit within this right is the right to association and belief. The Supreme Court has expressly recognized that a right to freedom of association and belief is implicit in the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments. Freedom of assembly is recognized as a human right under article 20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights under article 20. This implicit right is limited to the right to associate for First Amendment purposes. It does not include a right of social association. The government may prohibit people from knowingly associating in groups that engage and promote illegal activities. The right to associate also prohibits the government from requiring a group to register or disclose its members or from denying government benefits on the basis of an individual's current or past membership in a particular group. There are exceptions to this rule where the Court finds that governmental interests in disclosure/registration outweigh interference with First Amendment rights. The government may also, generally, not compel individuals to express themselves, hold certain beliefs, or belong to particular associations or groups.The right to petition the government for a redress of grievances guarantees people the right to ask the government to provide relief for a wrong through litigation or other governmental action. It works with the right of assembly by allowing people to join together and seek change from the government.
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Donald Trump Straining At Stool
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Canadian PM Trudeau Silent For 21 Seconds (On National TV) After Being Asked About Trump
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The American Revolution Was A Grievous Mistake, Poisoning The Nation's Wellspring At The Source
![The United States Of Education And Compassion Jesusland | made w/ Imgflip meme maker]()
Alan: Many of you already know that my years at University of Toronto taught me that the American Revolution was a grievous mistake - needlessly murderous white guys -- already filthy rich -- wanting to get even richer... while already complaining about their tax burden.
Canada, on the other hand, did not pollute the wellspring of nationhood with needless bloodshed; was granted independent statehood less than a hundred years later, continued to enjoy the many benefits of intimate affiliation with Great Britain, and went on to become an unusually peaceful country, dedicated to art, culture, The Common Good, The General Welfare and a truly Social Contract.
Despite its faults, Canada is a fundamentally civilized country, whereas the truest name I can conjure for the "the land of the free and the brave" is The United States Of Barbaria.
For 50 years, it has been clear to me that Uncle Sam's scotomized underbelly rivaled the hideousness of Medusa.
And now that underbelly is in full view.
"Sed mola postremo pinset divina farinam"The mills of the gods grind slow but fine (...as commonly rendered).
"Quos Deus vult perdere, prius dementat"Whom God would destroy, he first makes mad. The following video clip is priceless.
Canadian PM Trudeau Silent For 21 Seconds (On National TV) After Being Asked About Trump
Canada Succeeded On COVID-19 Where America Failed. Why? Canada's Political System Works
Canada, Sweden and The Collapse of American Culture
Canadian Letter To The Editor: "You Americans Have No Idea How Good Obama Is"
Canadian Letter To The Editor: "You Americans Have No Idea How Good Obama Is"
How A Major Canadian Newspaper Wrote About U.S. Gun Violence After The Umqua Carnage
If Trump wins in November, I encourage you to be ready for serious discussion of Blue State Secession.
Compendium Of Best Pax Posts About Blue State Secession
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Pope Francis Having Fun With Women Choristers
"Pope Francis Links"
Pope Francis: Quotations On Finance, Economics, Capitalism And Inequality
Pope Francis: One Of The Most Powerful Critiques Of Capitalism You Will Ever Read
"Pope Francis Links"
Pope Francis: Quotations On Finance, Economics, Capitalism And Inequality
Pope Francis: "This Economy Kills"
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspo
Catholic Social Teaching
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspo
Pope Francis: Moving The Moral Compass From "The Individual" Toward "The Collective"
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspo
Pope Francis Takes On The Catholic Bureaucracy
http://paxonbothhouses.blogspo
Pope Francis' Jesuit Confidant Probes Evangellical Fundamentalism And Angry Catholic Conservatism
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Iceland Symphony Orchestra Does A Great Job On Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, His Last Work
Iceland Symphony Orchestra Does A Great Job On Mozart's Clarinet Concerto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT_63UntRJE
The Clarinet Concerto in A, K622, completed in 1791, the year of Mozart’s death, marked his farewell to instrumental music. It was also the first clarinet concerto to be written by a major composer – except that Mozart did not write it for the clarinet at all.
The Clarinet Concerto in A, K622, completed in 1791, the year of Mozart’s death, marked his farewell to instrumental music. It was also the first clarinet concerto to be written by a major composer – except that Mozart did not write it for the clarinet at all.
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"All Lives Wont' Matter Until All Black Lives Matter"
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Trump Takes Abusiveness To A New Level
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The New Yorker Cartoon Caption Contest: My Submission For #713
"Hey, Mack, did you see the beauty parlor's filled with sailors? And now this..."
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A Trevor Noah "Blast From The Past"
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Bob Dylan's "Forever Young," Recorded By Martin Scorsese For "The Last Waltz"
"Forever Young"
Bob Dylan
This live version is from The Last Waltz, Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1976
with backing by The Band
with backing by The Band
"Forever Young"
Wikipedia
Forever Young
By Bob Dylan
May God bless and keep you always
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May your wishes all come true
May you always do for others
And let others do for you
May you build a ladder to the stars
And climb on every rung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May you grow up to be righteous
May you grow up to be true
May you always know the truth
And see the lights surrounding you
May you always be courageous
Stand upright and be strong
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
May your hands always be busy
May your feet always be swift
May you have a strong foundation
When the winds of changes shift
May your heart always be joyful
May your song always be sung
May you stay forever young
Forever young, forever young
May you stay forever young
Copyright © 1973 by Ram's Horn Music
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The Urge To "Shut Down Social Media" To Protect Electoral Integrity & Plato's 5 Kyklos Regimes
Dear F,
Thanks for your email.
According to the ancient Greeks, the Kyklos (the life cycle of governmental forms) always transited from Democracy to Tyranny, which is where we seem to be at this historical moment.
Plato describes his "version" of the Kyklos in his work Republic, Book VIII and IX.[1] He distinguishes 5 forms of government: aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and tyranny, and writes that governments devolve respectively in this order from aristocracy into tyranny. Plato's cycle of governments is linked with his anthropology of the rulers that come with each form of government. This philosophy is intertwined with the way the cycle of governments plays out.[2] An aristocracy is ruled by aristocratic people whose rule is guided by their rationality. The decline of aristocracy into timocracy happens when people who are less qualified to rule come to power. Their rule and decision-making is guided by honor. Timocracy devolves into olichargy as soon as those rulers act in pursuit of wealth; oligarchy devolves into democracy when the rulers act on behalf of freedom; and lastly, democracy devolves into tyranny if rulers mainly seek power. Plato beliefs that having a philosopher king, and thus having an aristocratic form of government, is the most desirable.[3]
Here is a link that provides more detail.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyklos#:~:text=The%20Kyklos%20(Ancient%20Greek%3A%20%CE%BA%CF%8D%CE%BA%CE%BB%CE%BF%CF%82,of%20governments%20in%20a%20society.&text=The%20concept%20of%20%22The%20Kyklos,Aristotle%2C%20and%20most%20extensively%20Polybius. In human affairs, I cannot overly stress the bedrock importance of 1.) "unintended consequences," 2.) the fact that "the profoundest truths are paradoxical," and 3.) the demonstrable fact that "the best (or "the perfect") is enemy of the good.
You will notice that all three of these "phenomena" are quirky, counterintuitive, and -- in a fundamental way -- opposed to Common Sense.
I am not playing with words.
I am convinced that I am "playing" with core metaphysical principles -- as important, and as applicable in their "domain," as the laws of physics are applicable to matter. (I will parenthetically note that the "predictable" methodological functioning of metaphysical principles is much more obscure and unpredictable when it comes particular personal, social, political and economic outcomes).
In any event, the transition from democracy to tyranny is a transformation that is clearly in process NOW - and may well be an unstoppable process because this transition is "required" by "The Nature Of Things."
It is one thing to say "shut down social media" --- and even I think it would be tonic to shut down social media for the longest possible period of time prior to election day... 1 month? 2 months? 3 months?
But the devil is in the details.
And the fact is: "The People" WANT social media.
The DEMOCRATIC urge of the people has (perhaps) never been stronger or more unified than it is "around" the assumption that social media are divinely ordained rights and that only a tyrant would try to take them away.
And on this particular point the people would be right.
For Democracy will NEVER "shut down social media."
But tyranny could.
Tyranny might.
Once tyranny is established it can do any Goddamn thing it pleases.
Is Trump not perilously close -- already -- to doing any Goddamn thing he pleases?
So, you can insist that "social media be shut down."
But "the democratic aggregate of people" will not side with you.
Tyrants might.
But not democrats.
In the end, insisting that social media be shut down -- even though it's a GREAT IDEA -- is a policy that can only be enacted by a tyrant.
Paradoxically, what's best for the survival of Democracy will not be supported by "democrats."
And if social media were actually shut down, the unintended consequence of incurring the wrath of democrats is inevitable.
Not to mention the need to enlist a tyrant to accomplish shutdown.
And, although "shutting down social media" is "The Best Idea," any real attempt to accomplish that end will only drive people -- and more people than ever before -- deeper into contempt for any democratic government that tries to shut down social media.
I should mention that a tyrant would probably not be interested in shutting down social media if only because social media is, by nature, the kind of epistemological swamp that favors -- and strengthens -- the autocratic impulse.
Finally, if Plato is right and "aristocracy" is the best possible governmental form (acknowledging that none of the five forms are perfect) then maybe there is no remedy but to go through tyranny to get back to the Aristos - based on the idea/virtue of Arete - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arete (Arete has always been the name of the Aquinas' yearbook.)
Having said all that...
We are still called upon to work on behalf of our beliefs -- hopefully beliefs consistent with an "informed conscience." I would add that "kindness" is the foundation of an informed conscience, and that cruelty is antithetical to informed conscience.
So, I will fight on behalf of democracy because I believe in freedom and not "power" which is the next stage of Kyklos.
“Where love rules, there is no will to power, and where power predominates, love is lacking. The one is the shadow of the other.” Carl Jung
And power?
Republican presidential candidate, Pat Buchanan, the living American who has served longest as a White House senior staff adviser, observed: “The Republican philosophy might be summarized thus: To hell with principle; what matters is power, and that we have it, and that they do not.” “Where the Right Went Wrong"
Please pardon my French.
Fuck the Republican Party.
And fuck every last sympathizer of the Republican Party.
By my lights, they are bad, unloving people except in the very limited sense that the Nazarene addresses: "If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for this? Even tax collectors love their friends." (See postscript.)
Love
A
PS In Israel at the time of Jesus, tax collectors were considered traitors because they worked for the Roman occupiers and took their salary by dipping into the taxes they collected on behalf of Israel's oppressors.
PPS There is enough of the unitarian-universalist in me to assume that all humans will be saved and so my urge to fuck them is independent of their eventual salvation. On the other hand, I venture near unanimity among Republicans -- especially "Christian""conservatives" (who are neither) -- that the prospect of your eternal damnation makes them giddy.
I don't doubt that Jesus loves them all.
I also don't doubt he thinks they're all assholes.
I don't doubt that Jesus loves them all.
I also don't doubt he thinks they're all assholes.
On Sun, Jun 7, 2020 at 11:49 AM FV wrote:
Shut down social media.On Sun, Jun 7, 2020, 11:06 AM Alan Archibald <alanarchibaldo@gmail.com> wrote:Dear Jim,
Thanks for sending your email address.As it happens, it was already in my directory.I encourage you to read "Tracking Down Deep Fake Videos" first.Then read "Are Trump's Days Numbered?" - a recent communication with Fred Owens, a friend since we attended the University of Toronto in the late sixties.Speaking of Canada moves me to include a third link about my experience of "our neighbor to the north" and how it changed my life."Tracking Down Deep Fake Videos""Frog Hospital's" Fred Owens Asks: "Are Trump's Days Numbered?"
"The American Revolution Was A Grave Mistake, Poisoning The Nation's Wellspring At The Source"
Pax tecumAlan
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