gdp's Comments

Big Journalism : Politico's 'Is Rick Perry Dumb?' Hit Piece Is Just a Taste of What's Coming in 2012

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 16:43:02 +0000

Thanks for your response EdSki. I agree that the movement reached a higher plateau even at that early date, but those were chiefly political events. I still maintain that the chief cultural damage, the real acceleration, began in the mid-60s. Before that, American values in films, TV, magazines, and even news programs and newspapers were still dominant. America was still recognizably American. Today, the landscape is entirely different. Before 1965, Lady Gaga would not have been a major cultural figure. Prior to the mid-60s, it's very unlikely Howard Zinn's textbook would've garnered more than a passing mention. The filth that pours out of Hollywood and the New York publishers regularly today simply wasn't produced for mass consumption before then.

Big Journalism : Politico's 'Is Rick Perry Dumb?' Hit Piece Is Just a Taste of What's Coming in 2012

Tue, 30 Aug 2011 13:38:09 +0000

"They are our real political enemies in 2012" Well said; but I suggest one minor change. The mainstream media (along with the Academy) has filled this role for the past 45 years, at least. The year 1965 was roughly the turning point when the Progressives became culturally dominant. They see their monopoly crumbling fast and know the only way to sustain it is to ally with an authoritarian government. It's the old story of the Tribal Chief and the Witch Doctor, with the media continuing to offer voodoo to attempt to frighten the tribe into submission to authority. They miscalculated; the American citizen, despite decades of Progressive education, still largely prefers individualism, freedom, and capitalism. You are definitely right about one thing, Mr. Nolte. It's going to be the ugliest campaign in a long time. But, in the end, Perry will win. There are now too many other sources for news that even the relatively inattentive general public can access with ease. Even my friend's 72 year old, totally un-techno savvy mother uses a netbook and spends a lot time online. The media and the authoritarians are cooked.

Big Government : The Alarming Significance of Culture

Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:55:18 +0000

Superb commentary and a very accurate assessment of Jewish culture. What remains puzzling, though, is why so many of them continue to vote Democratic, a party whose policies embrace victimhood and encourage sloth, envy, and dependence.

Big Government : Despite Congressional Ban, Obama's HUD Is Still Funneling Tax Dollars To ACORN

Fri, 1 Jul 2011 21:37:26 +0000

"Why is the Obama administration defying federal law by funding ACORN?" Because it does not now, and never has (GM bondholders, NBPP case, Libya, Boeing, et al) cared one damn about following the law. It will continue to do whatever it can get away with, which - if the past two years is any guide - is damn near anything. If there's a member of the Obama junta that does NOT belong in jail by now I haven't seen him.

Big Government : Another Damaging Power Grab by the Obama Administration

Mon, 16 May 2011 16:14:04 +0000

Boeing should ignore the Federal government's wishes; in the meantime, Republicans should begin efforts to repeal the unconstitutional Wagner Act and all subsequent, similar labor legislation that gave the unions the power of government.

Big Government : Donald Trump's Message To Republicans: Obama is Beatable

Sat, 30 Apr 2011 04:53:36 +0000

Obama would actually be very easy to beat, by any decent, honest opponent. We've had many poor presidents but rarely one who was actually evil and wrong on every issue. Yet the Republicans, so far, have been unable to front a good candidate since Pence dropped out.

Big Journalism : Progressives In Front of WH Protest Effort Mad at Koch Brothers

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 15:59:03 +0000

"OFA, the President’s campaign arm" Can someone explain to me why it's even legal for an elected official to be giving orders to this, ostensibly, private organization that engages in political activism? That's a serious question. Serious replies, only, please.

Big Government : I Stand with Scott Walker

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 04:45:15 +0000

Possibly the most revolting aspect of the Dems/unionists behavior is Obama siding against Governor Walker. That really is beyond the pale. Naturally, he couldn't just keep out of it, the prig.

Big Government : If Obama's Allowed to Lie, I'm Allowed to Be Snarky

Wed, 9 Feb 2011 19:28:34 +0000

What he lies about is, to be sure, offensive. But what he does openly and proudly is infinitely more destructive.

Big Hollywood : For $745 You Too Can Be Insulted By Famed Hollywood Screenwriting Teacher Robert McKee

Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:15:53 +0000

Sad but not surprising. Read his book and you can sense the anger. Read his book and you quickly learn that he actually knows nothing about screenwriting or storytelling. A careful read shows that it's all vague, Platonic nonsense. Lots of high-sounding phrases that actually mean nothing in reality. It's all cliches. A typical, pompous 'genius' given the label because he is both angry and high-flown. The sort who muddies the waters to make them appear deeper. Got a nice racket going, though.

Big Journalism : Ave atque Vale -- a Changing of the Guard at Big Journalism

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:40:05 +0000

Best of luck in all your new ventures, and thanks for giving me a Big platform.

Big Journalism : Allow Me to Introduce Myself…

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 19:37:17 +0000

Welcome, and congratulations. Big shoes to fill, but you sound up to the task already!

Big Peace : End of Cuba's Communist Economy: Global Implications

Fri, 17 Sep 2010 15:50:56 +0000

The way I read Castro's 'memo', nothing substantial has changed in his mind, nor in the Cuban government's approach. They're simply morphing from Communism to Fascism. Communism, evil and impractical as it is, at least accepts responsibility (one it can't fulfill) for the worker's well being. Fascism says, in effect, "We're going to continue to control everything you do, and distribute the results of your effort however we please, but you are now on your own as to how to produce what the collective needs." That move to 'private' production is an illusion and any freedom it enjoins is equally illusory, as will be any economic gains. That illusion, and the control, are the exact reasons Progressives today prefer the fascist model. They imagine It helps keep the masses in line because they believe the citizens can be fooled by this illusion, while the rulers get to keep the power they desire and engage in the social engineering that props up their illusory self-respect.

Big Government : Restoring Constitutional Government

Thu, 2 Sep 2010 15:50:34 +0000

Agreed. That's why - while Dr. Rahe makes some excellent points - the long term solution is far more fundamental than political philosophy. It's essential to change the culture in some basic ways, especially by eliminating the domination of Progressives in education. Otherwise, the body politic will simply become re-infected with the same virus that brought us to our present state.

Big Government : Patronage, Principles, and Political Parties

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 03:22:35 +0000

"The rich dont invest it in jobs, they invest it in hedge fund derivative bubbles or bank it in an offshore account. " Uh, and where does that capital go then? Does it just sit in a bank account somewhere? No, it's cycled out to invest in what one hopes are productive enterprises. In any case, it is their money and they have the moral and (for a while yet) legal right to do with it as they please. By the way, I trust you can provide some references for your assertion that tax cuts led to a tripling (and later another (?) doubling) of the national debt.

Big Hollywood : My Kind of Mogul: Rupert Murdoch 'Pushing' For 'Avatar' Sequel

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 19:37:36 +0000

Sorry MftI, I don't follow your reasoning here. Refraining from morally and/or financially supporting a cause you think destructive - whether you take the side of capitalism or socialism - is bad? If a socialist declares his intent to fund the Center for Progress I think he's directing his support to a bad cause, but it's still an act of integrity and provides for clarity. The alternative is to support no causes or all causes equally, on pain of - what? - being considered 'intolerant'? That would eliminate having any genuine views at all, or at least eliminate any action in reality to support them. Only the evil can profit from that approach. If socialists want to peacefully support socialist ideas, that's their inalienable right. Their property and speech is theirs to direct as they wish. Those who advocate capitalism and freedom should support that, and not aid its destruction. I'm confident who will be the winner in that case. It's when capitalists support socialists - as has been the case for 100 years now - that capitalists - and everyone else - suffers. I don't think we should worry too much about whether socialists (or anyone else) think we're "as bad as the other side." That would be similar to advocating pacifism when it comes to refraining from retaliating against any aggression on the part of foreign attackers. It leaves one disarmed from defending one's values.

Big Hollywood : My Kind of Mogul: Rupert Murdoch 'Pushing' For 'Avatar' Sequel

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 19:17:52 +0000

I respectfully disagree with the author's point of view here. The continual funding of those who advocate anti-freedom ideas is a major cause of why they persist. Freedom of speech is an inalienable right, but no one has a moral obligation - nor is it wise - to provide the means for others to further your destruction.

Big Hollywood : HOWARD ZINN’S LEGACY: Religious Fanaticism and Illegal Indoctrination of Your Children

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 19:13:46 +0000

Is it a mere reasonable difference of opinion in light of 100 years of actual history? 100 million dead as a direct result of Communist domination of certain countries, millions more enslaved. Not coincidental, cause and effect. The abrogation of individual rights such as those to freedom, property, and voluntary trade is built-in to Communist doctrine, so one could hardly argue that "those guys distorted Marxism." We're not arguing around the edges here, or confronting a new idea. If this were an argument about, say, slavery of blacks in America during the 19th century or Africa in the 18th-20th, I doubt you would regard as a reasonable difference of opinion anyone who sided with the slavery advocate. You may have the last word here. Regrettably, I haven't time to continue debating you today.

Big Hollywood : HOWARD ZINN’S LEGACY: Religious Fanaticism and Illegal Indoctrination of Your Children

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 18:37:28 +0000

Because it isn't the mere fact of disagreement that's relevant. It's what the disagreement is about, i.e. what Zinn and his ilk believe(d). To be pro-Marxism is to be anti-capitalism, and therefore anti-freedom, and therefore anti-the-most-basic-essential-required-to-thrive, i.e. to be anti-life. In a phrase, to embrace an evil philosophy. When one does so with the maturity, education, and knowledge of someone like Zinn, it can only be willful, conscious evil, not error. It's not a case of reasonable men differing.

Big Hollywood : HOWARD ZINN’S LEGACY: Religious Fanaticism and Illegal Indoctrination of Your Children

Thu, 4 Feb 2010 18:32:13 +0000

"Howard Zinn was an anti-American secular humanist with heavily Marxist leanings." I am a secular humanist and therefore completely pro-America, pro-capitalism, pro-freedom. Conservatives who write this way should stop and consider whether they're presenting a false alternative.