[quote]JD430 wrote:
DrSkeptix wrote:
JD430 wrote:
Oh Jesus…this is a minefield topic.
If by conservative you mean pro-freedom, patriotic, small-government, self-reliant guys…then yes, anyone without those traits cannot be a “T-man”.
A brief parallel thought, on T, leadership, and the balance of freedom and responsibilty, from the first conservative:
"The great must submit to the dominion of prudence and of virtue, or none will long submit to the dominion of the great."
ATTRIBUTION: Edmund Burke (1729 to 1797)
Cuts both ways…
So as not to risk putting words in your mouth, I’m going to need you to speak upon this quote and bring your interpretation of it to this particular discussion.[/quote]
JD,
Sometimes I just put some old quote out there, to remind ourselves that we are not inventing something new.
The Burke quote is from some speech, and I cannot recall its context. But it has context in this thread, which is about “T”–or “manly virtue,” if you like-- and poltiical conservatism.
For me, this little quote captures some thoughts:
–government is by the consent of the governed, even to a conservative
–traditions are of value, and fashion or novelty in politics is false and dangerous
–the conservative tradition should not be a “laundry list” of ideas; it should be about prudence and practicality and respect for virtue. (Just think how a “compassionate conservative,” or Bush, or Huckabee, proffers a list of virtues, only to subvert real enduring ideals.)
–it is up to us, the governed, to protect those ideals.
Or perhaps I am wrong, and I read to much into too little. I welcome your better thoughts.