Book notes and other items of interest
For those that have any interest, whatsoever, of expanding the mind by actually reading, I'm excited to start a book I've been wanting to read for awhile, "Liberal Fascism", by Jonah Goldberg. I've heard this term, carelessly thrown randomly about by libs, so it's time I get in touch with what it really means. I certainly can't trust them to know.
Another one that was highly-recommended is, "Underground History of American Education", by John Gatto. This should prove interesting, as some of us are onto the public education system and what it's real goal has been since the 1800s. It's said to be a bit lengthy, about 400 pages.
Well, I just finished one that is 860 pages, so I think I can manage it. It was simply titled, "The Beatles", by Bob Spitz. Excellent account of their lives from the time they started playing together in the mid-'50s until their break-up in 1969. It pretty well stayed focused on their music and emergence in creativity as their music changed. The only thing that slowed me down on finishing this was the fact that I came upon a brief, but quite educational book, I decided to read mid-way through The Beatles. "The ACLU vs. America" should be required reading in college.
Another one, I won't read again (I've read it twice) happens to me my favorite of all time. I'm attending a 10-session group discussion on it. "Atlas Shrugged", by Ayn Rand. Now, that's a long book! The discussion highlights Rand's philosophy of "objectivism" as it relates to the plot and characters in the book. Deep discussions from intelligent people that I can learn from.
Now, onward to the news of the day: I can only hope that instead of responses that consist of mere psycho-babble can stay focused on the topics at hand. I'd appreciate some intelligent comments/conversation about real issues. I find that those that can't respond directly to a topic, take the idiot's way out by feebly attempting to divert the conversation into a garbled mindset that would probably confuse Freud.
I've considered taking Spanish classes (did in high school and don't remember a thing) in order to understand Hispanics when they start up, and I don't know what in the hell they're saying. Then, after re-thinking that effort, I decided it's not my place to understand them. It's their place to learn and speak English fluently if they want to be a part of this country.
This one starts a series from Boortz.
OBAMA EMBARRASSED?
Now we know that Barack Obama is embarrassed that Americans can't speak more foreign languages. A few points.
It is more important for the world to learn to speak English than it is for us to learn to speak their languages. English is the official language of air traffic control – world wide.
You can drive 4,500 miles from Miami to Alaska and find English spoken every foot of the way. In Europe you often can't drive 450 miles without the language being spoken.
Now I'm not against learning foreign languages .. but the fact that Americans are not bilingual – we don't need to be – shouldn't embarrass our president.
By the way .. how about addressing the people in this country who can't speak English?
Thomas Sowell has a great article on Barack Obama: "Many are for him for no more serious reasons than his mouth and his complexion." That's true, Mr. Sowell ... but are you a racist for saying so?
This may seem trivial, but there is a lot of truth in it.
Well John McCain seems to have one thing going for him ... he has a dog. Not just a dog, but lots of pets. That, by the way, is one reason not to trust Muslims. Don't trust anyone who doesn't like dogs.Well John McCain seems to have one thing going for him ... he has a dog. Not just a dog, but lots of pets. That, by the way, is one reason not to trust Muslims. Don't trust anyone who doesn't like dogs.
Excellent, simple explanation of futures trading.
Here's a great lesson on how onions can teach us a thing or two about blaming "speculators" for our oil situation.
Perfect example of "dumb and dumber". We wonder why this country is in such a mess, just look at the ignorant mentality of elected officials. It says a lot about the ignorance of the constituents. Just remember, this could be Obama.
A county commissioner in Texas got his boxers in a bunch when a fellow commissioner used the term "black hole" ... which is apparently racist.
What an excellent idea - good for this enterprising young man. It's unfortunate that adults don't have any more sense than leaving pets in hot cars, but since it's been established that they don't, this could save many pets' lives. This is the type of thing we should be thinking of in this country, but unfortunately, kids are being taught to eliminate thinking in our society. Now, I wonder how this device could work for idiots that leave their kids in cars to die of accelerated heat?
A teenager in Canada is inventing an alarm for pet owners to sound when it gets too hot in their car for little Scruffy.
3 comments:
If you're interested in Atlas Shrugged and more specifically, her ideas on free-market economics, Clemson college offers a conference each year, which studies Atlas Shrugged and the political philosophy embedded in there, as well as the moral roots of her philosophy.
It's funded by the bank, BB&T, which covers a full scholarship for attending the 3-4 day conference, along with bed and board. I attended this year and can attest to the quality of the conference, the accomodation and of the people you'll meet there (including the lecturers themselves).
The main focus of the lectures are the Moral Philosophy in Atlas Shrugged, the history of Capitalism, the Economics of Capitalsm and, this year, there were two wildcard lectures, one on Eduation and one on Free Speech.
Each day, there is also an hour or so of foused Book-club style discussion of Atlas Shrugged, which was more of a Cherry-on-top for me (being more interested in the meaty politics stuff), but soon became one of the great advantages of attending. I learned so much and managed to formulate a few good ideas of my own, about the book as a whole, about the writing and structure, the characters, theme and plot.
There's even one interesting question which someone asked there, which I like arguing still: 'Why is the speech saved till the end; why doesn't he give it at the beginning?'.
The link is here:
http://business.clemson.edu/BBTCENTER/cci/conferences.html
I loved it, personally, and had a lot of fun, but if it's not your cup of tea, or your plate of crumpets, you should definitely raise it at your 10-session group, for anyone interested in looking further into the book.
Good day.
Erk, minor correction. It's not funded by BB&T (who fund the Capitalism Research Institute which organises the whole conference at Clemson), but by a Mr Jim Kilts, the ex-ceo of Gilette: proof that Atlas Shrugged is the best a man can get.
Rory, thank you so much for the information. If the conference is as good as some of the business seminars they put on, then I'm sure it is good. They tend to have excellent speakers.
BB&T contributes to my alma mater, UNC, and is attempting to have "Atlas" as mandatory reading as long as the university accepts their funding. The CEO (I think) is an "objectivist".
I will tell everyone in our next session about it. There are some attendees that are thoroughly entrenched in everything Ayn Rand.
Again, thanks for the info.
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