Wow. Readers. Plurl even.

Out of respect for Andy, I won't counter his lost points. I agree with most of what he says, I just am not as inclined to give them the "prime time" pass.  I didn't give BattleStar galactica a pass either, but maybe my citing of the superb Firefly, which was cancelled after one season, supports Andy's argument more than it supports my own.

I reread my except for the Corner, and am remind of Buckley, who said it better (of course) and more succicntly (not so common for Buckley) when he said, "dont' immanitize the eschaton".  All my political thoughts these days start with that sentiment.  I think to myself, "well of course that isn't going to work".   For example,  Drudge reports the Canada's health care isn't falling apart. Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but what, in the realm of human existance, makes people think that it would work?

Moreover,  if, lets say, that for the first 10 years of someone's life the state provides them 'free' medical care.  Doesn't that mean that person is indebted to the state before he's had any choices? 

So either that model fails because people don't repay their debt, or they are forced to repay their debt , vis a vis slavery.   (Is that an extremist thought?  I don't know, but I had it this morning)

I just had drinks with Melissa, she is my oldest friend, and a school teacher, and she of course bemoans lack of funding for teaching. But I can't help but think that the whole Idea of putting your kids in the hands of the state is COMPLETELY FUCKING RETARDED.  Who actually thought that would work!?    I'll tell you who,  people who knew all the other student's parents, and personally knew the teacher, and  knew that the prayers would be the same ones they said at home, and the teaching would be confined to math ,english, and how to respect your elders.   The minute that cirriculum wasn't acceptable to the 'public' the model was broke.  Is that extremist?   Dunno, maybe it's idealistic,  but I have felt that way for a long time.

I should note that the difference now, between me, and a pessimist like dolorous ed, is that he is pissed, and I am just confused. I really am.

All teachers  complain about not getting paid enough, but no teachers suggest upending the entire system. This bespeaks a  lack imagination. And She's an Art Teacher. 

I just spent 30 minutes looking for the quote from Coplan where Figgs dresses down Freddy for being idealistic, saying something like, "that's a child's plan, freddy, written in crayon on the back of fairytale".   Or something remotely similar to that..    (I couldn't find the quote), but basically I feel that way about every progressive policy. 

Don't Immanatize the Eschaton. 

Amen Bill. RIP.

Anyhow, let me say something slowdownish...

Was in Kansas all weekend. Watched golf and ate with grandma in the mornings and for Dinner (lunch to y'all), then hung out with Aunt and Uncle and Cousins for drinks , supper, pingpong, shuffleboard and four wheeling in the evenings.  Can't beat that.  Love Kansas. 

Great Bend strikes me as the kind of town that is only so nice because once a year the town elders sacrifice a child to some demon.  Each year he asks for a little more (at first it was the tip of a pinky), and since it's incremental, they go along with it (The demon is the Government!?).   Only something like that could explain who the town remains idyllic. Its got a big zoo, a waterpark, a skate park, a river, three coffee shops...

 Or maybe I am only there on vacation and  don't see the meth addiction and poverty.  I know it isn't idyllic....  but you don't have to have a huge imagination to see it that way.If it shows up on a 'best place to live' list, let me know.

Hmmm..... I haven't listened to Andy's suggestions, but I have been listening to Pandora radio based on Andy's suggestions.   Hey, it could be more frustrating, instead of saying "Hey, I value your suggestions, but instead of listening to what you said, I am listening to music that will only make my refusal to listen to them more fustrating", I could be recommending stuff I am hearing on this station back at you.    And I could be smug about it.... "I know you are still listening to old Fleet Foxes stuff, but you should really check out something new, like Elliot Smith".  

Or whatever. I just pulled 'Elliot Smith' out of a hat. Comments about him arn't welcome.