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2013-01-27 Home Front: Culture Wars

Sunday Morning Coffee Pot: The Most Influential Writer You've Probably Never Heard Of

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Posted by lotp 2013-01-27 07:31|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [11130 views ] Top

#1 Elsewhere on this page-
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?D=01/27/2013&SO=&HC=4&ID=360940
demonstrates the current state of application of Rawls' philosophy (not just the women in combat part, but extension of ADA to establish accomodations to allow disabled kids to participate on sports teams - how much enabling is too much?)

Posted by Glenmore 2013-01-27 11:13|| 2013-01-27 11:13|| Front Page Top

#2 I think the question might be, how would one make and defend a judgement about 'too much'. I certainly agree that these things seem counterproductive for society, not only in the local instance but in the way they reinforce some assumptions.

Our challenge is to articulate an alternate principle we can defend - and, in particular, one that can resonate emotionally and intellectually with many people. One they can identify with.

Posted by lotp 2013-01-27 12:57|| 2013-01-27 12:57|| Front Page Top

#3 The one they're identifying with now has not only been IMHO unfair to me, but grossly unfair to entire regions and industries. I only think they can pretend it's really fair out of either gross stupidity, gross malice, or a combination of the two. I could respond in depth, but until next weekend I am going to be too damn busy working the bilge pumps to do so.

Posted by Thing From Snowy Mountain 2013-01-27 13:49|| 2013-01-27 13:49|| Front Page Top

#4 Rawls lost out to the 'group' vs 'group' wing of the left. Your group is seen as having advantages over other groups.

I don't justify it. I do note how prevalent it is and how much work we have to do to create a new narrative to displace that one, which is indeed hurting you and others Snowy.

Posted by lotp 2013-01-27 14:26|| 2013-01-27 14:26|| Front Page Top

#5 What new vision of Justice can we offer?

None. As one of my law professors said, If you want justice go to heaven; if you want a decision go to court.

Justice like fairness ultimately is ultimately a vision, like truth or beauty. And it is also in the eye of the beholder. As Kennedy, not the first, said life isn't fair. Some how in the 50 years after his death we have become convinced that it should be and that we can make it so. And that we can stop the rising of the oceans and heal the planet.

A good look at the plusses and minuses of fairness is DHFischer's Fairness and Freedom: A History of Two Open Societies: New Zealand and the United States . After reading it, I was convinced that I am a freedom guy.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2013-01-27 16:46|| 2013-01-27 16:46|| Front Page Top

#6 I'm with you, NS. Now: how do we reach the large portion of our populace that isn't?

Posted by lotp 2013-01-27 17:48|| 2013-01-27 17:48|| Front Page Top

#7 I don't know.

I often wonder if the 17th century was one of those magical moments in history whose benefits we live off of until they're gone. There is a dwindling constituency for individual responsibility and accountability. The government is all too ready to make excuses for not trying so that it can ~~enslave~~ capture dependent voters. We are all too ready to sacrifice a liittle freedom for no secuirty.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2013-01-27 18:42|| 2013-01-27 18:42|| Front Page Top

#8 I haven't entirely lost hope in the young adult generation. But we do have to find ways to hook them and this last election go-round was a textbook study in how not to do that.

Posted by lotp 2013-01-27 19:23|| 2013-01-27 19:23|| Front Page Top

#9 We do have some good folks on message,Rand Paul, Tom Cruz, Marco Rubio. They just need not to turn into dealmakers or clowns like Boehner, McConnell and Christie. And there is always the instinct of the young to reject the orthodoxy of their elders. But it is expecting a lot to choose freedom when so much "security" is being offered in exchange. I fear it won't happen until it is clear to the blind what an empty offer it is.

Posted by Nimble Spemble 2013-01-27 20:10|| 2013-01-27 20:10|| Front Page Top

#10 Great essay, lotp.

I would argue that the pursuit of Fairness is what has driven down the Black middle class, consigned waay too many people to poverty (Go Great Society!) and made our public schools what they are today. It all sounds so appealing, but if you look at places where that game has been run, the fUSSR, China, Europe to varying degrees, the outcome is not pleasant, by which I mean piles of corpses, economic stagnation, gulags and general misery. Still, it sounds good.

There is no question Obama & Co did a great marketing job. Lotp is correct we need to present a better vision and do a better job of selling it.

Posted by SteveS 2013-01-27 23:19|| 2013-01-27 23:19|| Front Page Top

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