Election Reflection

We voted early. Now I don't have to listen to all that (from either side).

I think the 6-year elections are unique, because they provide an opportunity for shaking out the old mistakes, reevaluating and planning for the real decisions in two more years. Both Republicans and Democrats should learn something, in theory, from what the voters decide and from the campaign and its issues. If the lessons aren't learned, there will be new dangers all around. I do trust the people as a whole. I think it was part of the Founders' vision to allow for "the people" to be the teachers to the politicians, that some sort of practical political wisdom would come out of a more reciprocal and equal relationship between the governed and those who govern. In our system, "the mob" has been replaced by the voting public. The office-holders and candidates are presumed to either win the respect of the people or to be humbled by them.

Einstein's advice

At least, I've seen this attributed to him:

"Insanity is making the same choice repeatedly, expecting a different result."

Moral thinking IS objective and experiential.

Thinker in Trouble

See here:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,171-2385684,00.html

Whatever support can be given to this teacher should be given. There's simply not an excuse for saying that he ought to have shown more restraint, etc. The debate should be open: Is what he says truthful? When Islam as a whole begins to deal with its historical self--as the other great traditions have--these radical elements can be seen for what they are.

Reading List for Grownups

Hal asked what to read. There's not a simple answer to how to get at truth nowadays. A few things to rely on:

• Read the papers, but read carefully--be sure you read what is given in reply to accusations made by the press and by partisan hacks on both sides; I try as time allows to check the news in the local paper, Time Magazine, the web news on Drudge and Lucianne, who is partisan but often finds stuff no one else has.
• Victor Davis Hansen is a wonderful scholar, applying lessons from antiquity, especially military history of the Classical period to today's events. You can find his columns at several locations, including his own website.
• If you haven't, read the 9/11 Report.

I'll add a bigger job that will take you a longer time--check out the reading list for the liberal arts program at the University of Dallas. I believe it's still posted at their website--http://www.udallas.edu/academicprograms/core2.cfm.

I'll add more specifics about what I've read lately, later.