Cranial Space For Rent
Perfect for Brain, Commercial Space
Parte the Firste
Perfect for Brain, Commercial Space
Parte the Firste
As I've mentioned in earlier posts, I'm taking a World Since 1945 class right now. In addition to broadening my view of American actions in the Cold War period, it has reawakened my interest in political and historical discussion.
I don't think I recognized the loss of this section of my brain and the degree to which dust had covered a formerly active section of my mind. For example, on our discussions of the Hiroshima bombing: it occured to me that I am the sort of Catholic that would have dropped an atomic bomb on Japan. I had long ago accepted passively the position of the Truman administration that the bombs were necessary to end the war, a position that is in direct opposition to the Church's teachings on attacks of civilian populations.
Which points to an ongoing problem with my way of dealing with political and social issues, specifically a tendency towards tactical political thought action. That is, my concern with the "great issues" or what passes for such in American politics has always been centered around the political and ground concerns associated with them.
For example, Publius and I have always argued about abortion. He has some excellent points about the rights of women etc. . My opposition, in contrast, is centered on how this issue is hammering the party in the South, how people who otherwise support excellent candidates refuse to turn out for them due to their pro-abortion rights stance. I have sat in a phone trailer dialing for Democratic candidates and heard the same thing over and over again..."I think he's a great man, I respect him and agree with him. But he's anti-life and I can't support that".
Abortion isn't the best example given how polarizing it is, but my stance is the same on most issues: how can we win on it? How does a stance on a given issue affect us? Which raises another question..what, exactly, are my principles?
(looks at notes)
Wow, I'm only halfway thru what I wanted to post! How did this happen? Part two to follow.
I don't think I recognized the loss of this section of my brain and the degree to which dust had covered a formerly active section of my mind. For example, on our discussions of the Hiroshima bombing: it occured to me that I am the sort of Catholic that would have dropped an atomic bomb on Japan. I had long ago accepted passively the position of the Truman administration that the bombs were necessary to end the war, a position that is in direct opposition to the Church's teachings on attacks of civilian populations.
Which points to an ongoing problem with my way of dealing with political and social issues, specifically a tendency towards tactical political thought action. That is, my concern with the "great issues" or what passes for such in American politics has always been centered around the political and ground concerns associated with them.
For example, Publius and I have always argued about abortion. He has some excellent points about the rights of women etc. . My opposition, in contrast, is centered on how this issue is hammering the party in the South, how people who otherwise support excellent candidates refuse to turn out for them due to their pro-abortion rights stance. I have sat in a phone trailer dialing for Democratic candidates and heard the same thing over and over again..."I think he's a great man, I respect him and agree with him. But he's anti-life and I can't support that".
Abortion isn't the best example given how polarizing it is, but my stance is the same on most issues: how can we win on it? How does a stance on a given issue affect us? Which raises another question..what, exactly, are my principles?
(looks at notes)
Wow, I'm only halfway thru what I wanted to post! How did this happen? Part two to follow.
posted by Zola at 1:08 PM
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