tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post1223851229261223631..comments2024-03-29T05:29:57.536-04:00Comments on The DiploMad 2.0: The War on Joy DiploMadhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02316439950882822419noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-22336538986720230342013-12-23T09:09:42.609-05:002013-12-23T09:09:42.609-05:00Not letting "Them" know we're happy ...Not letting "Them" know we're happy sounds like the same tactic of avoiding detection by the pod-people in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers." Ted Henklehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09676165583937816802noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-65011526845153362512013-12-20T16:46:52.156-05:002013-12-20T16:46:52.156-05:00I wrote my own reply to our esteemed host's co...I wrote my own reply to our esteemed host's comments on Puritanism. I, for one, believe firmly that the weakness of the Puritan tradition in Christian faith is the wide-open door for our current creeping smiley-face totalitarianism.Kephahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00999385775493831638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-23194429787651624142013-12-20T16:44:27.718-05:002013-12-20T16:44:27.718-05:00"Puritans and their ethos have long departed ..."Puritans and their ethos have long departed the American political and cultural scene..."<br /><br />Mr. Mad, I beg to differ with you. I, one of your loyal fans, quite unabashedly declare myself a Puritan. I am a Christian of the Reformed ("Calvinistic") persuasion who believes very firmly that there is no other Jesus Christ than the one presented in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, that the Bible is the necessary and sufficient rule of faith and practice, and that the Holy Spirit speaking through it is free to criticize the day-to-day practice of the church. Further, as a Puritan, I am a firm believer in government being a matter of compact between governors and governed; that law (defined ultimately as divine and natural rather than positive) is politically superior to the ruler; and that powers of government must necessarily be limited, for it is a divine institution set up to protect human life, and hence no sinner or group thereof may be allowed too much power (which is bound to be abused).<br /><br />Before we fall for the myth that this idea of limited government is an "enlightenment" artefact, let me stress that it was taught by a galaxy of thinkers who adhered to beliefs we'd call "Puritan": Samuel Rutherford, Christopher Goodman, Theodore Beza, Francois Hotman, John Knox, Philippe Sieur Du Plessis-Morney, Hubert Languet, Philippus Marnix van Sint Aldegonde, Johannes Althusius, John Ponet, and numerous others. In Book IV of his _Institutes_, John Calvin himself states that the ideal government is a combination of democracy and aristocracy (sound vaguely familiar to anyone who's had 9th grade civics around here?). It is no accident that our sort of constitutional republic took root and flourished among people schooled in Reformed Protestantism (the heirs of the Swiss Reformation; as opposed to the Anabaptists, Lutherans, Anglicans).<br /><br />Indeed, the great 16th and 17th debate over royal absolutism was one over the proper interpretation of I Samuel 8 and Deuteronomy 17. The Puritans and continental brethren took the position that the latter text required that the monarch be subject to law, while the latter's mishpat hamalek was not the "right of a king", but the "manner of a king", and took I Sam. 8 as a warning of what a monarch "like unto those of the nations" might do to the people. There is much on this issue in all the writers I cite, except the waffling Calvin (who used the Vulgate's ius rex).<br /><br />One of the reasons why some of us are very disturbed by big government, the cult of the Great Leader O, and the like is because our Puritan beliefs are still very much part of our makeup.Kephahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00999385775493831638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-77902748465466003422013-12-19T06:40:15.841-05:002013-12-19T06:40:15.841-05:00The Indians are coming off a slew of gang rapes an...The Indians are coming off a slew of gang rapes and prosecutions, with public outcries and mobs roaming around protesting.<br /><br />I think the US feeling up an Indian woman and violating her body cavities is perhaps, not something the Indians felt they needed at the same time US publications were criticizing Indian rape and sexual harassment laws.Ymar Sakarnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-16882394334495039422013-12-18T18:21:47.201-05:002013-12-18T18:21:47.201-05:00How she was arrested sounds excessive, but even a ...How she was arrested sounds excessive, but even a US citizen probably couldn't win that as a police brutality suit. NYPD is not a Federal Government entity, nor is it working off Federal authority.<br />OTOH, while I don't know whose authority is removing the security barriers, revoking the diplomatic credentials would be the National authority of India.<br /><br />What would you think of ... If the Credentials are revoked, those people and their families are sent home, and only those people -who have been sent away- have authority to sign visas and other forms and authorizations benefiting India.Jhn1https://www.blogger.com/profile/01887865525615495162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-91457570961321839462013-12-17T21:27:17.628-05:002013-12-17T21:27:17.628-05:00Both sides are being idiotic. There was no reason ...Both sides are being idiotic. There was no reason to handcuff the Indian diplomat by the NYPD on the basis of an unverified complaint that she was paying less than minimum wage to her maid. On the other side, the Indians know that she did not have diplomatic immunity since she is consular personnel and has immunity only in connection with her work. The Indian reaction is stupid and makes them look childish especially since--I can almost guarantee you--that the Indian consular officer was not paying minimum as required in her visa for the maid.DiploMadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02316439950882822419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-67132663980221475612013-12-17T20:30:30.458-05:002013-12-17T20:30:30.458-05:00OT, or maybe next thread for the Diplomad.
What d...OT, or maybe next thread for the Diplomad.<br /><br />What do you think of the US vs India contretemps?<br />http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/12/17/india-retaliates-against-us-over-arrest-diplomat/Jhn1https://www.blogger.com/profile/01887865525615495162noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-34683488443866949552013-12-17T18:58:45.024-05:002013-12-17T18:58:45.024-05:00Apparently the uncle was a former lover of Kim'...Apparently the uncle was a former lover of Kim's current wife. It seems she was in a singing group with a former lover of Kim's. She had the old girl friend and most of the singing group machined gunned. It seems Kim's wife is doing some cleaning up of her past, probably with the help of Kim's aunt. There's getting to be a lot of former formers.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13642228725661059539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-7441536271346819392013-12-17T18:52:08.417-05:002013-12-17T18:52:08.417-05:00No, the Baptists have bruises all over from dancin...No, the Baptists have bruises all over from dancing in the closet.Jameshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13642228725661059539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-10555975897463409792013-12-17T16:52:44.252-05:002013-12-17T16:52:44.252-05:00'A Noam Chomsky a day helps you work work and ...'A Noam Chomsky a day helps you work work and work some more in the Gulag!'Popular Frontnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-5773188037079073132013-12-17T15:46:16.032-05:002013-12-17T15:46:16.032-05:00Excellent. Thank you. And for me, most disturbin...Excellent. Thank you. And for me, most disturbing, is they rob the children of the joys of childhood, including the joy of imagination and discovery that helps them become creative, capable, confident, joyful and self reliant individuals in their own right. <br /><br /><br /><br />pmcAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-51687784280236629272013-12-17T14:13:18.209-05:002013-12-17T14:13:18.209-05:00I thought that was Baptists?I thought that was Baptists?TheOldMannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-68963800620861029332013-12-17T14:12:08.435-05:002013-12-17T14:12:08.435-05:00Before or after digestion?Before or after digestion?TheOldMannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-37842441785010224652013-12-17T14:10:41.434-05:002013-12-17T14:10:41.434-05:00I read that the aunt was estranged from the uncle ...I read that the aunt was estranged from the uncle for a couple of years so perhaps she denounced him?TheOldMannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-84240891981297866052013-12-17T07:39:06.607-05:002013-12-17T07:39:06.607-05:00A Soviet era candy bar....I love that! Why didn&#...A Soviet era candy bar....I love that! Why didn't I think of that before?Merkwürdigliebehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08633547688991082358noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-60294662354378912422013-12-17T05:45:44.814-05:002013-12-17T05:45:44.814-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08835831054988348400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-73503646180441532632013-12-17T01:06:07.373-05:002013-12-17T01:06:07.373-05:00Dear Mr. Orwell,
I know you have long since passe...Dear Mr. Orwell,<br /><br />I know you have long since passed, but please have someone publish an official guide detailing how you do *not* approve of the villainous fantasy philosophies in your books. Apparently this is unclear because liberals keep attempting to implement them in the USA.<br /><br />It's indeed a brave new world, thanks George.<br /><br />- reader #1482Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-55350762126522128392013-12-16T23:57:07.460-05:002013-12-16T23:57:07.460-05:00"it is best not to show that you are happy an..."it is best not to show that you are happy and joyful. The nannies will not like it"<br /><br />No you have got it wrong. Be cheerful, smile and tell jokes. Not only will the nannies [progressives a.k.a leftards] not like it but it will make their little empty heads explode. And that is a sight to please any libertarian's heart. David from Oznoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-62862779391238538662013-12-16T16:50:27.869-05:002013-12-16T16:50:27.869-05:00A fine rant, Diplomad. Joy will be permitted in ap...A fine rant, Diplomad. Joy will be permitted in approved forms, but it must have its papers in order.<br /><br />Regarding the Puritans and the modern Left, however, I'm not so sure that we aren't looking at two prominences of a single, partially submerged <i>massif</i>. <br /><br />From <a href="http://unqualified-reservations.blogspot.com/2009/01/gentle-introduction-to-unqualified.html" rel="nofollow">Mencius Moldbug</a>:<br /><br />*********<br /><br />"You see, the problem is not just that our present system of government - which might be described succinctly as an atheistic theocracy - is accidentally similar to Puritan Massachusetts. As anatomists put it, these structures are not just analogous. They are homologous. This architecture of government - theocracy secured through democratic means - is a single continuous thread in American history.<br /><br />An excellent historical description of this continuity is George McKenna's <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Puritan-Origins-American-Patriotism/dp/030010099X" rel="nofollow">Puritan Origins of American Patriotism</a></i> - it gets a little confused in the 20th century, but this is to be expected. However, as a demonstration, I am particularly partial to one particular primary source - <a href="http://www.time.com/time/printout/0,8816,801396,00.html" rel="nofollow">this article</a> from 1942, which I found somehow in Time Magazine's wonderful free archive."Malcolm Pollackhttp://malcolmpollack.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-3945727477234781062013-12-16T12:50:26.330-05:002013-12-16T12:50:26.330-05:00In keeping with my tradition of [mis]paraphrasing ...In keeping with my tradition of [mis]paraphrasing Obama ... <i>If I had a son he'd look like Aaron Alexis.</i><br /><br /><i><strong>If you like your happiness you can keep it.</strong></i><br /><br />Merry Christmas Dip, fellow Readers.<br /><br />ArkieAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-79739771139739158132013-12-16T11:51:33.345-05:002013-12-16T11:51:33.345-05:00I must disagree with you about leftists and Purita...I must disagree with you about leftists and Puritans. They are both found highly concentrated in the northeast, oppose anything that is fun and are obsessive about their religion, which in modern times is environmentalism.Michael Khttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18127450762129879267noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-12989718315456927402013-12-16T11:46:44.695-05:002013-12-16T11:46:44.695-05:00In a post written by a cop linked by Instapundit o...In a post written by a cop linked by Instapundit on how to deal with cops if you are stopped, one of the rules was don't smile. "Cops don't like smiles."Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02366679196384847605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-40243195170990885552013-12-16T08:25:43.145-05:002013-12-16T08:25:43.145-05:00lestlestSidvicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-73887597171769481512013-12-16T08:18:09.922-05:002013-12-16T08:18:09.922-05:00I have one better than the "dour game face&qu...I have one better than the "dour game face"; A slightly silly vacuous grin. That seems to keep em off my back. I wear it at cocktail parties and .ppt meetings least a little contempt leaks through.SidVicnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1400985529434569506.post-68431210260598215152013-12-15T22:21:38.896-05:002013-12-15T22:21:38.896-05:00While I most often agree with the DiploMad, I find...While I most often agree with the DiploMad, I find I must disagree with him here.<br />The American Left, you see, does not seek the destruction of joy. Instead, what it seeks is the destruction of all forms of joy that are not approved of by professors and graduates of various "studies" programs.<br />Between them and us, you see, there are some commonalities: togetherness with family (although their programs undermine said entity), talking with friends, and being out on God's green earth (although they would say 'enjoying Gaea'). But, unlike us, the Left takes joy in deliberately destroying tradition, in tweaking the noses of we, the inhabitants of Flyover Country, and in congratulating themselves on how "diverse" and "progressive" they are--when in reality, they are neither.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com