At the movies: 'The Conspirator'

Reply to MickyD408 on John Batchelor's website:

Are you’re saying that Gingrich could not win against Obama? Or, that he couldn’t win against the other Republicans in the primaries? If it’s the former, I beg to disagree. Anyone (emphasis on ‘one’) could beat Obama. If it’s the latter, you’re probably right. Republicans have a habit of always putting forth a candidate that’s closest to the opposition. We will see Republicans field someone who is both dumb and progressive. (Ignorance is a prerequisite for anyone purporting to be ‘progressive’.) He will already be looking for the exits, even while he campaigns; flinching uncomfortably in the sheer ‘brilliance’ of Obama’s own overt progressivism.

I just got back from seeing Robert Redford’s historical film, “The Conspirator”. It was not one of Redford’s best, but interesting nonetheless. I was not familiar with Mary Surratt’s trial (after Lincoln’s assassination); so, the ending surprised me. It pitted individual rights against what most thought was in the best interests of the nation. It is clear where Redford’s loyalties lie.

Driving home, I heard one of the Batchelor-Chang segments about how China is failing. At the same time I was thinking of our own country and I realized two things: One, that central planning never works, no matter how smart the central planners may think they are; and, two, that we ourselves may be getting close to doing the very same things.

There is one important difference, though, between us and them (at least the way things now stand): Whereas we seem to be actively planning our own demise, China is and has been planning for its future. Neither one will end well. China, however, has shown that it is willing to learn. It is still riding its proverbial bicycle with the training wheels on. Anyone would have to admit that they’ve come a long way since Mao and his inglorious revolution. We, on the other hand seem to be intent on throwing it all away. The very idea of ‘America’ seems utterly lost to our leaders.

I’ve been thinking about this and reached the conclusion that our greatest threat now comes from within. I’d be perfectly willing to get on an airplane and take my chances without all the rigmarole we’re currently subjected to. The same thing applies to the food we eat (and all the rest of it). In India, when an eatery opens that makes its customers sick, that eatery will soon find itself without customers. The place would close in a heartbeat. The free market would see to it; no onerous government regulations needed.

Freedom continues to be more precious to me than what any nanny state can or cannot promise. If we were just allowed to handle ourselves sensibly, all else would turn out alright.

http://pkoelliker.blogspot.com/