Quote of the day
posted at 10:00 pm on September 4, 2009 by Allahpundit
“As a pretty down-the-line conservative, I don’t believe I am alone in noting with disappointment the trivialization, excessive sloganeering, and pettiness that has overtaken the movement of late. In ‘The Joe the Plumberization of the GOP,’ I argued that conservatives have grown too comfortable with wearing scorn as a badge of honor, content to play sarcastic second fiddle to the dominant culture of academia and Hollywood with second-rate knock-off institutions. A side effect of this has been a tendency to accept conspiracy nuts as a slightly cranky edge case within the broad continuum of conservatism, rather than as a threat to the movement itself…
Within my relatively short lifetime, I still remember a time when success and intellectual achievement were more often than not conservative virtues, and I remember WFB looming large in this framework. Recent Democratic gains within the creative and educated classes have eroded this image, creating a media dynamic where intelligence is seen as aligning with the left within the Democratic Party, and the center within the Republican Party…
This is why there is a unique urgency now to cast out the obscurantists and the conspiracy nuts. We don’t have a Buckley anymore. Our intellectual giants have died off and not being replaced. And preventing the lowest common denominator from filling the void is a constant daily struggle.”
Blowback
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Gee…..I read that an wanted to say “Sam. My dear Sam.”
but then I figured everyone would know I took Frodo 101.
Limerick on September 5, 2009 at 2:42 AM
I hope you are joking!
Why are we east coast folks up playing on a blog?
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 2:43 AM
I’m going to do some more research on 16th century Italian bedroom furniture. Plus all your “goat haunches” talk got me hungee for meat.
`nighty-night.
TMK on September 5, 2009 at 2:44 AM
Laura the favorite troll from Hagerstown.
AprilOrit on September 5, 2009 at 2:45 AM
Sweet dreams, HotAirHeads….
even you BB….(no…I don’t wanna know where the hell you are or what the hell you are doing at the moment..I blush easily)
Limerick on September 5, 2009 at 2:46 AM
My wife read “The Trouble With Boys”, and explained it to me. She read a few chapters to me too.
This book, written by a woman BTW, is all about your theory. She nails it.
In a larger context, the entire nation suffers.
Saltysam on September 5, 2009 at 2:46 AM
I don’t know why I am awake but it has been lovely visiting with all of you. Good night and sweet dreams.
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 2:50 AM
Just a simple question? If the well Educated are so smart. How come 50% of self made Millionaire’s never Graduated from Collage. Maybe it takes a balance to run a country.
Successfully that is
Sanmon on September 5, 2009 at 2:50 AM
A couple of things:
A. I’m not sure why you’re trying to stir up the hornets nest when conservatives should be finding things in common and joining in opposition to the blatantly socialistic policies being rammed through. Blog hits will count for sh!t if the country falls.
B. Don’t you realize that because of the polarization wrought by the current administration that everything is more hyper-intensive/partisan. There is no middle side now because its come down to a fight between pure liberalism/socialism and capitalism/freedom. Things have never been this political – at least not in my short lifetime, and its been building up for a long time.
C. I understand when he talks about the
I hated it during the election, because the true point of all of it got lost, and we got to hear McCain say “like Joe the Plumber” waaaaay too much. The truth was wealth redistribution and it got turned into a campaign slogan – the power of that video clip got lost.
D.
The problem is, the education system and the media has been corrupted since the 60′s (if not before – the communists always knew to hit there first). Conservatives have always won the intellectual battle (which is why the left goes to personal destruction instead). Conservatives are just now waking up to the fact of 40-50 years worth of communist/socialist creep within those two institutions. It will not be an easy battle to retake them.
E.
Wrong. We have plenty of them. In fact, we own the intellectual battle. The problem is that as conservatives, we choose to go to work, start a family, and mind our own damn business…until something threatens to take away it all.
This administration chose to change all of that – which is why we are all riled up. We just have a harder battle to back the ones that would lead, because the media will go through all of their past history to find something. Then it will be on the front page for the next few weeks, while Barney Frank and Chris Dodd get away with pillaging our entire country.
The deck is stacked against us. They own the media, the government, and the school system – and it’s been worming itself in for decades. Hell, I remember in middle school being the only one going for Bush against Clinton – and all the teachers were praising Clinton to the class. I got demonized for it, even though we were kids and had no freaking clue WTF was going on.
However, above all else, against all odds – we have the truth. Hopefully it will prevail. In time though, we’ll see which side wins – and I pray to G-d it’s w/o violence.
specialkayel on September 5, 2009 at 2:58 AM
Good night to all you mainstream liberty lovers.
(You too, April. :-* )
Saltysam on September 5, 2009 at 2:58 AM
good post specialkayel
Sanmon on September 5, 2009 at 3:02 AM
Nighty night…
AprilOrit on September 5, 2009 at 3:05 AM
There is enough blame to go around. We are an image-based society, our language has coarsened, our vocabulary has decreased and our ability to think critically has dramatically declined. Read, The Closing of the American Mind.
This spans across disciplines and political party. It’s fascinating but tragic. There is no other way to explain the election of Barack Obama except that, over time, we lost the capacity to think independently, to analyze information, and override the lure of image for reality.
As I said in another thread, I do blame the school system and tv.
Mommypundit on September 5, 2009 at 5:41 AM
This is just PR and much of it is illogical. The left touted Bubba as a genius. I say genius doesn’t rape or harass women or have sex in the oval office. Thats the dumbest behavior one can imagine!
They say Bozo is an intellectual giant, but he cannot form a complete sentence without his teleprompter.
Its all packaging, TV and hype.
dogsoldier on September 5, 2009 at 5:46 AM
Jack Welch graduates from Western Illinois and Jeffrey Immelt graduates from Dartmouth and Harvard. Guess which one did not destroy one of the greatest corporations in the world?
Jdripper on September 5, 2009 at 6:13 AM
it was glenn beck who exposed van Jones.
rob verdi on September 5, 2009 at 6:20 AM
I’ve always thought it was a mistake to confuse intellecutalism with intelligence. I’ve known many intellectuals who didn’t have the brains God gave a gnat.
mbs on September 5, 2009 at 6:46 AM
Patrick Ruffini sings his own siren’s song.
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 6:55 AM
link?
JiangxiDad on September 5, 2009 at 7:00 AM
I agree AP that he/she who takes the intellectual high ground and comes up with the great ideas will probably win at the end of the day. When I use “intellectual” I’m not talking about ivy-covered walls in some elite Eastern university. I’m talking about intelligent, common-sense, clear thought that is based on history, experience and practicality…as opposed to some idealistic exercise. The latter is the favored playground of the left, in my opinion.
You talk about throwing out the “obscurantists.” I don’t think that is necessary. These common folks may not be able to articulate the unifying thoughts that we on the right need so badly. But they do express the frustration and anger that we are devoid of such thought. If the right, Right minds come forward with the solid ideas and direction for the 21st century, the grassroots will fall in line and go back to being the Silent Majority…after they vote the current band of miscreants out of office.
Most of us would like to pursue our own lives…follow our careers, focus on family and children, and leave governing to those with the penchant for it. Unfortunately, for the past few decades our confidence in government has been misplaced. They have robbed us of so much that we have no choice but to be “obscurantists.”
This movement has been a good thing. It’s been the alarm to the Conservative clock. It’s just unfortunate that few of our leaders have yet figured out how to tell time.
The people are waking up to the problems…namely lost freedom and an abandonment of true Conservative principles. It’s time the articulate ones in the party did the same…and then explain it to the rest of us so we can be confident in our leaders once more.
MainelyRight on September 5, 2009 at 7:00 AM
I prefer this quote:
Krauthammer got it, the wax wings have melted.
And exactly what did Patrick Ruffini contribute to lead towards Obama’s flop? Wait by the sidelines while others attended Tea Parties, waiting until all the heavy work is done. And then, of course, from up on his pedestal still, he adds to the mockery of those who DOUBT OBAMA. All the while feigning intellectualism, he ignores the wart on his own nose blocking his view as he looks down on others who would preserve the merits of our Constitution.
Allahpundit’s feathered headdress is not becoming a conservative, only a snob. The two are not synonymous.
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 7:05 AM
LOL. good one CM.
JiangxiDad on September 5, 2009 at 7:09 AM
THe most common mistake of them all is confusing is EDUCATION with INTELLIGENCE. Maybe you should look more closely at the FORMAL education of our founding fathers. Very little, but they established a set of principles beyond comparison and were very well read.
Obtaining an advanced degree today does not require much intelligence, only perseverance or an organization that supports you obtaining an advanced degree because of some factor other than performance.
Our President is the best example of that confusion. He has the requisite degree from Harvard but is, by any measurement you choose, dumber than the proverbial box of rocks. Were he not President but just man on the street, he would easily qualify for many appearances on “Jay Walking” and would probably make the All Stars.
CC
CapedConservative on September 5, 2009 at 7:12 AM
I wonder if Ruffini’s pic on the thread instead of Buckley’s would have generated as many comments?
JiangxiDad on September 5, 2009 at 7:13 AM
Yes. And many from the school of hard knocks with better perception than elitists.
Intellectuals should purge fascist ignorance from their own ranks rather than presuming the right to judge those who are, in their estimation, beneath their dignity.
It is the intellectuals who attack Michael Savage, for instance; and the intellectual class who stand by silently, even smugly, as he is attacked. What prevents these elitists from defending either Michael Savage’s right to free expression that is free of violence, or defending the Classical Liberal ideology of our founding fathers that is today contemporary conservative ideology that Michael Savage would preserve for our children?
And because Allahpundit, Ed and Malkin do not like Michael Savage, since the British socialists in government coordinated with Obama’s administration to test the waters prohibiting free speech and threatening to smear any who stand up to support Michael Savage as evil/hate mongers, even as evidence proves that Savage was targeted to take the blow that could have been delivered on Rush or Hannity (neither are intellectuals, though fine men with their own talents), HotAir seems cowed without even an obligatory post for Savage.
Malkin would promote her intellectual status if she were to respond to Savage’s request on his last broadcast. Should he accept the Cambridge Debate (Cambridge defends the ban on Savage that prevents Savage from debate face to face to counter his opponents); and if so, what pointers would she have to defend Savage’s platform, “Borders, Language, Culture” particularly as it relates to Malkin’s own efforts?
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 7:28 AM
Repeating what I said in the headlines item:
Look at the time line: Buckley comes on the scene in the fifties and shortly thereafter the Republicans lose control of Congress and do not regain it for forty years. That point, 1994, comes shortly after Rush Limbaugh comes on the scene. So, as much as I like Buckley, who has apparently done more for conservatism?
Kafir on September 5, 2009 at 7:32 AM
Hype that Allahpundit hypes to favor his own proclivity.
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 7:34 AM
Kafir on September 5, 2009 at 7:32 AM
A legitimate case could be made that William F. Buckley enabled the Ivy League monopoly on our government that got Obama elected.
Unintended consequences of elitist ideals produce Marxism, time and again for the past century.
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 7:39 AM
This argument over method of defeating the enemy, and whose methods should prevail, remind me of something from Hinduism. It’s called the 4 Yogas–the 4 main paths people can use to try to realize God. Each path is best suited for a certain type of people with certain types of personalites (roughly speaking, the “devotional” type, the “active temperment,” the “mystical bent,” and the “intellectual, rational, philosophical” type.)
If you know yourself well enough, you’d probably recognize which method most appeals to you in terms of acquiring spiritual knowledge. I think the same holds true for other things in life, such as political battles. We each have our preferred method for fighting them, but like the paths to god, they all arrive at the same place.
So lighten up
FrancisPatrick.JiangxiDad on September 5, 2009 at 7:40 AM
Irony tastes rusty.
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 7:41 AM
Not that I agree with all the conspiracy theorists, but those people who were warning of some of the things that are happening at this time were once called kooks. Many people could see obama for exactly who he is before he was elected; they were labeled racists, paranoid, etc.
I agree with CapedConservative (love that handle) that education has become confused with intelligence. The elitists are so educated they are unable to recognize real truth and intelligence when confronted with it. Intellectual snobbery is just a cover for a lack of inadequacy in one’s self.
We would be better served if our so-called conservative pundits would stop trying to prove their superiority and join the real movers and shakers in the effort to take this country back.
texanpride on September 5, 2009 at 7:48 AM
From an article at AmThinker
We’ve got more important things to do now than argue amongst ourselves. We’re never going to agree on everything, even after we’ve defeated the enemy. But more likely than not we’ll be arguing from the same perspective. So go out again today and fight.
JiangxiDad on September 5, 2009 at 7:48 AM
After reading Patty’s’ pontification and most of the comments under it, and a page or two here, I say the following….
I tend to agree with the likes of Kathy Shaidle, who, like me, doesn’t trust anyone who espouses the use of THC, for any reason. Buckley‘s was cost…too much to fight it…
This may sound simplistic but if you don’t standup to fight evil, in all of its manifestations, do you then wait till it becomes necessary to scorch the earth to survive?
I believe WFB felt safe behind the walls of his compound so as not sully his hands with the likes of the unwashed…It is this very intelectualism, that Patty, Frum and others, in this so called elite club, that is responsible for the mess we’re in…They have no idea what it takes to live paycheck to paycheck. Their very existence is to listen to themselves talk…imho…I’m sick of it…
And the next one who pats me on the head and says he knows what’s best is going to get a few broken fingers…
jerrytbg on September 5, 2009 at 7:55 AM
Ha! Coffee will help…
txmomof6 on September 5, 2009 at 8:00 AM
I like that. I like it a lot. Now if each path could be equally respected we would be getting somewhere.
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 8:07 AM
Look at it this way. Intelligence, like beauty, is a gift from God. Education is man-made. You can educate yourself, or you can obtain an education from someone else. Society looks at the signs of an education like a status symbol, just as they do anything else man-made. Universities promote this for their own well-being, (higher achievers among graduates, like politicians equals increased applicants and endowments).
txmomof6 on September 5, 2009 at 8:09 AM
I respond here. It ain’t purdy:
http://is.gd/2UTuu
fivefeetoffury on September 5, 2009 at 8:13 AM
Since Mr. Buckley was an early and major proponent of Rush Limbaugh, what do you think the chances are that he realized that he, and his particular form of conversation, weren’t going to appeal to everyone? Within the movement there would be a need for a jovial everyman with a keen insight to people in general and politicians specifically. I won’t pretend to have known Mr. Buckley and I understand he vanquished the Birchers but I just don’t see him “schooling” people in the correct way promote the cause of conservatism.
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Shut up. Please.
watson007 on September 5, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Indeed! None is preferable. In fact, I’d contend that without several, there would be chaos. My pants do not fit you :)
JiangxiDad on September 5, 2009 at 8:17 AM
We’re WAY past the days when conservative vs liberal was an intellectual debate. (“Good show, you’ve bested me today with your logic, we’ll debate a new topic tomorrow”)
Today conservative vs liberal is a war, fought in the trenches, by everyday people.
Jeff from WI on September 5, 2009 at 8:21 AM
LOL. Much of that made me chuckle. You can write, lady. :)
JiangxiDad on September 5, 2009 at 8:22 AM
Allah chose well with this QOTD. If he reads it he will be amazed at how many people can be so wrong.
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 8:24 AM
Correct. And if the generals (and would-be generals) aren’t on the same side as the infantry, what’s the point?
JiangxiDad on September 5, 2009 at 8:25 AM
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 8:16 AM
?
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 8:26 AM
So we should cast out those who have concerns about barry’s secretive past but are otherwise normal yet embrace “intellectual” conservatives like from, brooks and noonan?
Right. Just when there is momentum republicans will find a way to screw conservatives and save the left.
peacenprosperity on September 5, 2009 at 8:35 AM
I would argue that the Conservative movement still has it intellectual components. Newt, although a legend in his own mind, is the best when commenting on policy issues and at bringing out ideas. The one fault I have with Newt is when he comments on the liberals. He tends to shoot from the hip, before he thinks about it, and then ends up changing his mind, once he’s thought it through. As far as ideas go, I saw Newt go head to head, with Mario the Elder, in New York and, as far as I was concerned, he kicked liberal butt, a truly great debate.
Another great thinker (and I’m going to catch hell for this one) is Ann Coulter. She can see liberal hypocrisy from a mile away, has a needle sharp memory to pull out their quotes, and then lays it to them. Once again, she has her flaws so, rather than just kick them when they’re down, she has to kick them, stomp them, dig a hole for them, and bury them. The only thing she doesn’t do is cover them. However, when have you ever seen liberals debate Ann Coulter on substance? I can’t recall a time when they debated her ideas.
So, there you have 2 who liberals will never debate on substance but who they’ve successfully marginalized. When debating academics and the media, the first thing you can expect is that the conservative will be marginalized, on one way or another. The problem is, we allow them to do it.
When the Democrats wouldn’t allow Lord Mocton (?) from Britain, to speak on Global Warming, the Republicans called up plan “B” and he hit a home-run. If George Bush had a designated speaker, making his case to the American people, and called on Newt to do it, his polls would have been in the high 60′s.
Just one man’s opinion.
bflat879 on September 5, 2009 at 8:38 AM
.
You nailed it. Well said! The only point I disagree with you on is when you said, “…he ignores the wart on his own nose blocking his view…” That’s no wart, that’s a Milk Dud.
NightmareOnKStreet on September 5, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Good stuff.
Gottfried.
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 8:43 AM
I had only know of this from remarks made here but apparently there was an argument with a Mr. Welch of the John Birch Society who wrote a book that insinuated that Dwight Eiesenhower was an agent of the communists. Mr. Buckley and Sen. Goldwater were publicly unhappy and apparently it had an adverse impact of the John Birch Society in mainstream conservative circles.
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 8:43 AM
Speaking of Newt:
It would go a long way if our “experts” were not hooker-buying toe suckers and/or prone to saying ‘oral sex isn’t sex’ and getting b-js in the parking lots of their daughters’ school (Newt).
Just sayin’
But what duz this dumb low class feemale know?
fivefeetoffury on September 5, 2009 at 8:44 AM
NightmareOnKStreet on September 5, 2009 at 8:40 AM
Thanks.
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 8:44 AM
Neither have you seen any of the “dignified” conservatives debate Coulter. She would rip them to threads and leave them crying for help from their leftist mentors. frum, noonan, brooks, all these so called “intellectual” or “dignified” conservatives lack a sense of humor. They laugh at their own cleverness but it falls flat with everyone else. A prominent symptom of post modern moral relativism.
peacenprosperity on September 5, 2009 at 8:46 AM
And the man who says the most in the least amount of words noted in yesterday’s headlines for this article.
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 8:46 AM
It’s funny, as I started reading through comments, conservatives have some great spokespeople. I picked 2 who would bring out some huff and puff, but add Limbaugh, Krauthammer, and Kristol to the list, each of whom could take liberal arguments and stand them on their heads.
What I wonder is how many great conservative thinkers are in the closet, afraid to speak for fear of being marginalized? I can’t believe that our institutions of higher learning are only turning out liberals since we all know that, in order to be a conservative, you actually have to THINK about the issues and solutions and not just have knee-jerk reactions to them. I would bet there are closet conservatives on our college campuses that, if they were found out, would be outed and removed immediately. One thing liberals can’t stand is debate and contrary opinion.
bflat879 on September 5, 2009 at 8:48 AM
Yeah the projection of teenage appropriate rules down to the lower grades is touching….
evidently there must be a lot of need for briefing in third graders on condom use….
just like Chairman Soeotro was going to indoctrinate the k-6 to cut into their high dropout rate.
Far too many 3d graders just can’t handle the rough patch of the 4th and 5th grades so they drop out and become bums on streetcorners….
sven10077 on September 5, 2009 at 8:51 AM
oh and as if I need to add to my post at 8:51….
//sarc
sven10077 on September 5, 2009 at 8:52 AM
The Frummian wing of the GOP is the sort who thinks, “hey if I put all my men in a line and march straight to the center while the enemy line closes around our surge on both wings the battle will be over quicker….
yeah, yeah it will it’s called “double envelopment”
sven10077 on September 5, 2009 at 8:56 AM
“vanquished” generally is applied to a righteous victory that destroys evil
The John Birch Society had its goal to stop communism in America.
That they also wanted to sustain states’ rights is also noted. They did not support the FEDERAL enforcement powers of FEDERAL legislation that “vanquished” any semblance of states rights subsequent to the Union “vanquishing” the Confederacy.
That the states didn’t adopt their own practices of equal rights or legislation to protect equal rights “in time” provided the opportunistic federal powers to monopolize permanently (until something changes) a position that no longer recognizes the sovereign status of each state.
So Buckley vanquished states rights with his moral elitism.
Unintended consequences to Buckley’s valor, the Marxist Obama got elected POTUS.
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 9:02 AM
I’ve gotta take off for a while.
maverick muse on September 5, 2009 at 9:03 AM
Kind of like Pickett’s Charge?
Jeff from WI on September 5, 2009 at 9:09 AM
I hear better arguments for conservatism here in the comments of HotAir than any of the so called intellectual giants.
farright on September 5, 2009 at 9:14 AM
Vanquished was probably a poor choice of words, but it does appear that the group was pushed away from what was then main stream conservative society. This might be another instance of demonizing a group of people based on the mistakes of one person.
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 9:17 AM
You’ve got that right
Jeff from WI on September 5, 2009 at 9:30 AM
We should have all seen this coming.
Note Buckley’s oft-quoted line that he’d rather be ruled by the first one hundred names in the Boston telephone directory.
People cite this as evidence of a sort of populism, but:
Notice he said “Boston” — a very particular Boston of a very particular time — and not “Dallas” or “Mobile” or “Your Hometown”.
fivefeetoffury on September 5, 2009 at 9:37 AM
txmomof6, I actually meant to say intellectual snobbery is a cover for the feelings of inadequacy in one’s self.
There’s a condescending, above-it-all attitude I deplore in many pundits, not all, but most. They like to wax philosophical and bemoan the lack of great thinkers, while others like Rush, Coulter, Beck give facts and substance and deal with reality.
texanpride on September 5, 2009 at 10:11 AM
I don’t know, the Boston of now is so very different than the Boston of then. Maybe in Mr. Buckley’s mind that was a great example of everyman but if you look back at news stories of the citizenry back then, they were less then enlightened, especially in the area of race relations.
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 10:15 AM
True, but I believe that Marxism was born out of the version that came of the French Revolution and filtered through Napoleon’s empire sprinkled with key European continental philosophers. Marxism is the mutated stepchild of the American Revolution in other words.
But the American and French Revolutions took place when the Industrial Revolution was in its infancy while Marx and Engels thrived during its height and what some may call its excesses (poverty, misery, etc.). The thing is, that the masses chose to go to the industrial areas to work rather than stay on the farms and in the villages.
That is democracy and capitalism. A human being should have the choice and the ability to take personal risks in order to increase their wealth and thus gain some measure of personal freedom. What responsibility the society at large/ the state has in all this is, in order to facilitate that system and to ameliorate human suffering is, of course, central to this debate. But, if the workers in the slums descend into debauchery, drunkenness, and throw the contents of their chamber pots into the streets in front of their own homes then I don’t see how that’s the fault of the State or of the ‘system’.
Rousseau would have us running around meadows picking wildflowers. I think Dr. Spock was his reincarnation. “-)
Interesting you should mention Frankenstein, as that book was in itself a warning concerning Mankind’s advances in technology.
Dr. ZhivBlago on September 5, 2009 at 10:20 AM
Note that the name “Kennedy” is not in that first hundred names.
Squid Shark on September 5, 2009 at 10:21 AM
To quote Abraham Lincoln, “God must love the common man, he made so many of them”.
Johan Klaus on September 5, 2009 at 10:54 AM
I gotta wonder, are the Americans who go to town-hall meetings and challenge the post-modernist reconstruction of the Constitution into a vehicle for unchecked, delegated political economy as a justification for Obamacare, by asking “Where in the Constitution does it say you can run health care”–are they the missing intellectuals, or the cranks?
Chris_Balsz on September 5, 2009 at 10:57 AM
Heh!!
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 11:04 AM
Au contraire. We have plenty of intellectual giants, they just aren’t the ones who get the ratings. Bennett, Prager, Sowell, Walt Williams to name a few. Highly educated and thoughtful individuals. Condolezza Rice is another, who has unfortunately disappeared from the public and not doubt there are others. the problem isn’t that we don’t have highly intelligent thoughtful people in the conservative movement, the problem is that we don’t listen to them!
pgrossjr on September 5, 2009 at 11:16 AM
I saw someone else attack social science degrees.
Ok, most of the ‘educated’ liberals I know are earning degrees in things like communications, anthropology, the french language, sociology, philosophy etc.
All of the soft degrees where you can write a paper titled “why we should save kittens” and get an A.
The people in the hard sciences are much more conservative. I know someone out there will take offense to the following statement, and I’m sure there are merits to ‘women studies degrees’ and what not. But most of these people are complete mush brains.
Sure most of these people are liberals, and we can argue that most ‘college’ educated people are liberals. But let’s be honest here. Most people who are college educated just wasted daddy’s money.
jhffmn on September 5, 2009 at 11:21 AM
Yes and the key thing to remember is these”european philosophers” were atheists/AntiChrist Humanists.
Atheism is 100% responsible for communism and communism is the only logical conclusion of atheism. Therefore all atheists are communists(or future communists) and are an extremely dangerous subgroup of individuals who should be very carefully watched and potentially imprisoned. They should be treated in exactly the same way as we treat mohammedan terrorists and potential mohammedan terrorists.
In addition to being extremely dangerous,atheists(being subscribers to a purely fringe and reactionary philosophy) are far from “intellectual giants”.
In fact, those that exist today are so ignorant that they don’t even realize that they are future communists(once they clearly examine their philosophy)and they go about on this forum promoting some sort of brutal and inhuman form of capitalism in which they practically call for the forced euthanasia of poor and disabled people.
Nothing good has ever come from atheism and nothing ever will.
In fact most serial killers are atheists and use their “survival of the fittest” explanation to justify their brutal murders and cannibalism.
MaximusConfessor on September 5, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Yep, and they have humor as an additional plus, not like these stick up their hindquarters of the younger set and the Left. I was so bummed that I missed Dr. Williams filling in for Rush yesterday.
Cindy Munford on September 5, 2009 at 11:30 AM
Most of these “degrees”, require that taxpayers have to support the degree recipient.
Johan Klaus on September 5, 2009 at 11:40 AM
This is wrong on a level that is Fundamental, and not connected to the “Most Educated” community.
Sarah, Joe the Plumber, Glenn Beck relate in a way that is easy to understand and instantly relate to.
OR, as the “educated” would say “to which we instantly relate”.
We are all Joe the Plumbers. Townhalls should be giving the “Educated” a lesson in Sarah Palin Supporters and who they are. Townhalls show that Americans are PISSED at the Elites. Ammo Sales should show just how Scary and Prepared Americans are to Deal with little Acorns running around the neighborhoods.
Arm Wrestling matches are in order…..the “Educated” can support with Textual print…..but we need to do some Heavy lifting in DC on 9/12…and you need to be able to stand on your feet for 6 or 8 hours, NOT sit at your typewriter….Uhhhh, I mean keyboard.
Our Founding fathers Wrote a quick Note (Declaration) and then picked up Arms and saddled a horse (Mounted a steed).
TIME TO COWBOY UP !
JayTee on September 5, 2009 at 11:45 AM
I have found most of the scientists and engineers that I know to be more left-leaning.
Squid Shark on September 5, 2009 at 12:25 PM
Wow. Thanks for sharing that.
pannw on September 5, 2009 at 12:38 PM
That was the most asinine pile of drivel I have read on HotAir in years.
Squid Shark on September 5, 2009 at 12:42 PM
Bill Bennett may be an intellectual, but he is about as exciting as a bowl of oatmeal. People like Limbaugh, Leven and Beck have a much greater impact because they are colorful, have greater mass appeal and have large audiences.
People like Bennett and Prager are thinkers; Beck, Leven and Limbaugh are doers and inspire their listeners to take action. Not a bad thing.
bw222 on September 5, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Allah, while we make this move you suggest the Democrats will continue to wipe the floor all the while we’ll be able to say, “Look how intelligent we are”. Sometimes it takes down in the dirt hard working and intellectual fighting. Not nice works of academia.
This is how we lose real wars also. We seem to think we can reason with the other side.
I don’t want to see conservatives above the fray I want them in the fight, so we have a damn chance.
jbsanctuary on September 5, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Well I guess I can only speak from my limited experience. But in my program at least, the few of us who aren’t from India/China/Japan/Korea and in few I mean like 20% lol, are mostly fiscal conservatives.
But I certainly get the impression that 90% of social science students are liberal, where as only 30% of us are.
jhffmn on September 5, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Ooh you used a couple of big words in criticizing me.
You must be one of those “intellectual giants”.
You’re no different than the AntiChrist humanists I mentioned. Except the anti-Christ drivel you believe was deliberated forged in the face of all historical evidence and by people who knew that what they opposed was the truth.
If you can’t even keep your scriptures accurate(without deliberately altering them) then what is the use of your group?
MaximusConfessor on September 5, 2009 at 12:58 PM
I am not sure what sect you think I belong to, but I am pretty sure my scriptures are older and a sight more accurate than yours (assuming you are a Christian).
Squid Shark on September 5, 2009 at 1:22 PM
To win, conservatives need to:
1) define themselves clearly and competently.
2) they need to understand the enemy and his underlying beliefs.
3) be able to defeat those beliefs with clear cold facts.
If we can get a short list and get conservatives to agree on five things, we can move heaven and earth.
To understand the enemy, I suggest you go to the blog
“OneCosmos.com and read the last five days of the column.
colonelkurtz on September 5, 2009 at 1:41 PM
I’ve found the opposite assuming you stay away from “climate science”.
sven10077 on September 5, 2009 at 1:55 PM
Thanks for Chairman Soetoro.
sven10077 on September 5, 2009 at 1:56 PM
Isaiah 7:14
Compare this with your 11th century altered text below:
11th century alteration by jewish scholars in an attempt to remove the long standing traditional understanding that the Messiah would be born of a virgin.
The fact that they tried to remove this show the depth of the rank dishonesty and corruption of Scripture.
The original texts say virgin.
The verse doesn’t even make any sense when taken in context with your alterations.
There is nothing remarkable about a young woman conceiving.
You altered it in the 11th century in an attempt to stop the Orthodox Church which is the only surviving continuity of pre-Christ judaism.
MaximusConfessor on September 5, 2009 at 2:18 PM
I too long for the days when a quasi-aristocrat told us what to say & think… ah the good old days… GTFO.
tetriskid on September 5, 2009 at 2:29 PM
No maybe about it Sanmon, it’s probably one of the truest things I’ve heard.
FIFY.
Not all Mormons disregard the constitution BTW.
I personally feel any Mormon who disregards the constitution needs to reread the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants.
And you know who you are out there.
Chaz706 on September 5, 2009 at 2:32 PM
I have yet to hear what intellectual test Palin and Joe the Plumber have failed. They certainly understand that bureaucracy resists innovation; that utilitarianism denies the value of individualism; that combining the two creates a institutional failure to provide service. That’s more sense than I see in many Ivy League grads in Washington.
Chris_Balsz on September 5, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Climb down. Shut up. Do as you’re told by your betters. Simple enough. Won’t work, though.
You’ve lost your nerve, Patrick, if you ever had it, as has Frum and the rest. You don’t want to fight the powers that are now hard at work to make a slave and serf of the rest of us. You just want a comfy place at the table with your peers, room to enjoy your aristocracy, and Joe the Plumber, Sarah Palin and the millions of Americans they represent are getting in the way.
spmat on September 5, 2009 at 6:01 PM
The “intelluctials” on our side punched first. When the peasantry, us, got one of our own in the vice-presidential slot the “intellectuals” had a choice; vote to support the peasantry’s representative or be turncoats and vote for one of their own (the intellectual elite Obama). They chose Obama, therein lies the split and the explanation for our disdain for the turncoat “intellectuals.” This also explains our sides defense of Palin against their attacks. By attacking Palin they are attacking us.
Our votes are wanted but we have no place in any leadership position. That is what they think.
True_King on September 5, 2009 at 7:21 PM
“I am an old hand at sailing, Mr. President, and I have learned that the winds do not always blow one’s way,” I said. “When you find yourself in the doldrums, I want you to know that all of us in the conservative intellectual movement will be there to blow you.
An Ill Wind is Breaking For Our President
T. Coddington Van Voorhees VII
Editor at Large, the National Topsider”
dhunter on September 5, 2009 at 7:36 PM
YEAH! I LOVE MANY OF THESE COMMENTS! THE LAST THING WE NEED IN THIS MOVEMENT IS SMART PEOPLE!!!
voxpopuli on September 7, 2009 at 1:46 PM
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