By Dave Wilson “I have no other end in this writing, but only to discover myself, who, also, shall, peradventure, be another thing tomorrow, if I chance to meet any new instruction to change me.” – Montaigne The term flip-flop has become as ubiquitous in accusatory politics as the ridiculous “footwear” that bear the same name have become in … [Read more...]
Arguments of Degrees
By Dave Wilson A while back I wrote about how the things we’re told we shouldn’t talk about — religion and politics — are precisely some of the most important things we can talk about. Sitting with someone of a different mind about either subject, but who is respectful and can express herself well, is a very pleasant experience. The … [Read more...]
Seven Spheres of Influence
By Dave Wilson I read in a recent piece by David Brooks that, “Over the past seven months, the number of people who say government is doing too many things better left to business has jumped from 40 percent to 48 percent, according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll.” My first reaction was, “Remember last year when ‘business’ ruined … [Read more...]
Monuments to the Faith
For a long time in the U.S. there has been a battle between people who want to be able to display religious symbols, particularly the Ten Commandments, on government property (such as city parks, government buildings, etc.) and those who think the First Amendment prohibits such things. Christians who want vehemently to display the Ten … [Read more...]
The True Mirror of Our Doctrine
The conduct of our lives is the true mirror of our doctrine. – Michel Eyquem de Montaigne Glenn Beck, a nationally-syndicated political talk show host who also has a TV show, recently told his listeners that if their churches mentioned “social justice” or “economic justice” (what he called political “code words” for communism, etc.), his … [Read more...]
The Victim Juggernaut
The way some people use the term “mainstream media,” you would think it has only four letters. The opposite of this MSM is, of course, the underground, iconoclastic, revolutionary side-stream media that is struggling to make its voice heard above the roar of the mighty river that is the mainstream. The demonization of the mainstream media … [Read more...]
How Independents Can Make a Difference in Politics
I live in Utah -- one of the most Republican-leaning states in the country, right? And yet, the majority of voters are not registered Republicans. In fact, only 31.5% are registered as Republicans, and only 7.4% as Democrats. Nearly 61% are registered as “unaffiliated” or independents. Then why does the Republican tail wag the Utah dog? … [Read more...]
Things You Don’t Talk About In Polite Company
In 2002 President George W. Bush said, “The public education system . . . is where children from all over America learn to be responsible citizens, and learn to have the skills necessary to take advantage of our fantastic opportunistic society.” At first blush this is just a gaffe, Freudian in my opinion. But there is much that is more of … [Read more...]