The late philosopher Eric Voegelin (a refugee from Hitler's Germany) once wrote an essay some fourty years ago that was published in a reader of conservative thought published by Bill Buckley. His essay traced the historical development of Gnosticism from it's religious inception around the time of Christ to its modern-day transmutation to becoming the foundation of those "progressives" who are convinced, a-la their gnostic predecessors, that they possess "THE WORD" and feverishly work to ensure that their beliefs are foisted off on everyone else in order that all may share in the greater glories of "progressive" civilization. Voegelin's gloomy conclusion, after
tracing many hundreds of years of gnostic influence on society was that: "The end result of 'progressive' politics is totalitarianism." This is because, in order to ensure that recalcitrant individuals don't muck up the grand plan for everyone else, certain "measures" must be imposed.(Here, think of the criminal penalities[felonies!] and fines ensconced within Hillary-Care for those health-care providers who didn't toe the line) And, perforce, in order to be effective, these measures must be all-encompassing.

Voegelin, echoing Lincoln's "A House Divided" speach, pointed out that while it indeed must be admitted that society is continuing to advance insofar as material/scientific progress is concerned; he opined that it must also be observed that the cultural/moral side of society was in a retrograde movement. "Can a society advance and decline at the same time", he asked? To which he answered: "Yes, but not forever."

As I think about today's post, Voegelin's essay, and the present day wildly dysfunctional PC trends whose promoters are aided and abetted by those who represent the MOR "usefull idiots" group--a group whose description might as well be the "None are so blind as those who will not see" Group--I don't know whether to grab for the rum bottle or my gun. Fortunately for me, I am financially, legally and geographically well insulated from most government power grabs, even one who might seccumb to the proper "Dhimmi" atitiude. But as for my children and grand-children--well THAT'S worth fighting for.
RVD | Email | Homepage | 07.30.05 - 12:14 pm | #

The founding fathers always believed that a free press was essential to a free country. I don't suggest that they should be prevented from saying whatever they like, but it is sad that they have resorted to the tactics of totalitarian states in order to undermine the country that allows them to flourish. Do they imagine that the systems they enable and encourage will be so kind to them?
LLB | Email | Homepage | 07.30.05 - 8:44 pm | #

In National Review, in April, they reported on the severe persecution of the Christian church in China. The persecution is not surprising, nor is the UN's Human Rights Commission refusal to investigate. No, what is amazing is that there are *any* Christians in China...

It's an interesting phenomenon for a number of reasons, one being that the more persecuted a religious practice is, the more vibrant it becomes. You'd think governments, even dumb as bricks Communists governments, would've learned that by now.

Stayed tuned to the Christians vs the Lions in China...we're not even in the first chapter yet. My bet is that the Catholic Church, among others, is going to be pouring lots of energy into that country.
dymphna | Email | Homepage | 07.31.05 - 1:25 am | #

I dunno if China is exactly stupid. I think they are usually crafty as a fox.

Notice that, so far, they are keeping out of this Muslim thing, and also essentially holding us in check with regards to NoKo while not doing a lot.

What we really need to do is foment some strife between Islam and China, to give them an interest in dealing with the issue as well.

As it is, I suspect they seek to let the West exhaust itself against Islam, then switch to expansionism when everyone is too tired to resist.
OBloodyHell | Email | Homepage | 08.01.05 - 10:39 pm | #