Comments on: BLOG SERIES ON “WHAT AILS CONSERVATISM?” STARTS TOMORROW

By: Two Blogs that Pass in the Night

Two Blogs that Pass in the Night — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:39:53 +0000

[...] an aside, I mostly disagree with Rick Moran’s contention that prolific use of the F-word and the spewing of insults renders the author a [...]

By: Surabaya Stew

Surabaya Stew — Tue, 27 May 2008 03:05:43 +0000

I agree, DrKrbyLuv; Lebanon is not a country for the faint of heart, as its incredible complexity ensures that it can never be easily summarized. (Perhaps thats why it has been largely ignored by the MSN and 99% of political bloggers.) Whether one agrees with Rick or not on his opinions, he sure didn’t choose an easy topic to write about! Nice job…

By: DrKrbyLuv

DrKrbyLuv — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:47:50 +0000

(Note post 3) Surabaya Stew Said:

“…one can only hope that this series attracts more notice than your articles on Lebanon did.”

Rick’s articles on Lebanon were great and I hope he will continue writing about this important subject that was ignored by the MSM.

By: DrKrbyLuv

DrKrbyLuv — Mon, 26 May 2008 17:38:55 +0000

I’m looking forward to your series on “What Ails Conservatism?” This is a timely and important discussion that should generate a lot of interest.

I hope you will touch on what I consider to be a key issue; the flawed primary system within the GOP. How does a party based on conservative principles elect a non-conservative candidate? Is McCain’s victory representative of party ills or is he just an aberration of a flawed primary system?

Many of us had an “anybody but McCain” mindset as we carefully watched for an emerging conservative early in the process that would surely include Romney, Thompson or Giuliani. The problem was that the conservative candidates were competing for the same votes while McCain had most of the anti-bush, liberal and independent votes. And of course, we had the unsavory Huckabee-McCain collusion to “dump” Romney.

Being from Pennsylvania, the primary was essentially over with McCain the declared winner before I ever got to cast my vote for Ron Paul. My preference would have been to vote for Romney or Thompson but they had already dropped out.

In moving forward, my choice will again be limited in the national election by the two party system. For me, and many voters, a choice between McCain or Obama really isn’t a option, it’s an ultimatum.

By: still liberal

still liberal — Mon, 26 May 2008 15:34:22 +0000

I posted a request for your ideas on this very subject here on May 13, so am very much looking forward to this series. Packer’s article is interesting. My hope is that your response will include a good discussion of the philosophy underlying conservatism, one, because I get the feeling that many under the conservative banner know more Limbaugh and Coulter than Burke or even Bill Buckley. And two, because the disconnect between conservative philosophy and political implementation has never been greater, seriously devaluing conservatism and its necessary role in governing America.

By: Bill Baar

Bill Baar — Mon, 26 May 2008 11:09:55 +0000

I don’t know how much of a pickle Conservatism can be in if Democrats are picking up these house wins as anti-abortion and blue-dogs.

If they were running as Social Democrats I might feel different.

Conservatism may be fine. Some of the Pols who relied on conservative voters may be in a bind….

By: Steve J.

Steve J. — Mon, 26 May 2008 02:54:20 +0000

We know pretty much what’’s wrong with the ideology of conservatism. But what of the philosophy that is its underpinning?

Uh, what philosophy? Are you talking about Burke, a great defender of Habeas Corpus?

By: Surabaya Stew

Surabaya Stew — Mon, 26 May 2008 01:28:22 +0000

Sounds like an interesting idea Rick; I look forward to reading your upcoming series. As a Moderate myself, I am very interested in the future of Conservatism in the United States, now that it is seemingly at a nadir. However, if “join me” is a concept best reflected in replies to your posts, one can only hope that this series attracts more notice than your articles on Lebanon did. I have a bad feeling that criticizing Obama is the best way to go if you measure success in this way; hope you resist that temptation. Not that you shouldn’t criticize him; just don’t let it stop you writing about more important things.

By: El Tiburon

El Tiburon — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:37:55 +0000

Wonderful you can go with dropping an F-bomb. Bravo! But then you toss a sophomoric, school-yard taunt? My, aren’t we all grown-up and mature.

Perhaps before you begin your epic series on this issue, you could explain this a bit more. And this time with actual substance.

“who missed the point of Packer’s essay and substituted a thesis of dubious logic and intellectually incoherent arm chair psychology for reasoned analysis.”

When was the last time you heard “intellectually incoherent arm chair psychology for reasoned analysis.” on a schooyard?

ed.

By: Thers

Thers — Sun, 25 May 2008 20:50:42 +0000

Oh, I’ll certainly be joining you, given the sophisticated rebuttal you’ve made to my FDL post.