Category Archives: Conservatism

The Decline of the American Empire (VIDEO)

Posted on by
1

As the world is undergoing a profound transformation, what role will the US play in a post-American century?

The US has the world’s biggest economy, the most influential culture, and the most potent military machine, with a budget that equals that of all other nations combined. It is the only power with a global project defended and supported by more aircraft carriers, Fortune 500 companies, and more successful media-tainment conglomerates than any other.

But the last decade has been problematic for the world’s only superpower.

America’s post-Cold War optimism has given way to pessimism, forecasting a declining power and more crucially, the end of “the American era”.

The rise of new regional and global powers, coupled with Washington’s recent war fiascos and financial crisis have worsened the outlook for the future of the US.

Countless books have been written prophesying the end with titles like: Suicide of a Superpower; The Empire Has No Clothes; Taming American Power; Nemesis: the Last Days of the American Republic; Colossus: The Rise and Fall of the American Empire; and Selling out A Superpower.

So, is all this talk of the US decline premature? And if not, what role will the US play in a post-US century?

Watch video here . . . 

Quote: Christopher Hitchens, On Censorship

Posted on by
8

Christopher Eric Hitchens (13 April 1949 – 15 December 2011)
English-American, Literary Critic, Journalist, Author,
Essayist, Polemicist, and Outspoken Anti-theist

Don’t take refuge in the false security of consensus and the feeling that whatever you think you’re bound to be okay because you’re in the safely moral majority . . . my own opinion is enough for me and I claim the right to have it, defend it against any consensus, any majority, anywhere, anyplace, anytime; and any anyone who disagrees with this can pick a number, get in line, and kiss my ass.

Top 10 Greatest [Mob of Racists and Homophobes] Moments of 2011

Posted on by
5

Since only millionaires and morons vote for Republicans, and the majority are not millionaires, what does that make the majority, if not all, of the Republicans?

Well, let’s look at the syllogism and see:

If not A, then B

Premise A = majority of Republicans are millionaires
Premise B = majority of Republicans, if not all, are morons
Conclusion = Since a majority of Republicans are not millionaires, then the majority, if not all, of Republicans are morons.
QED [MSH] M-O-U-S-E 

New York Times reports on Catholic Charities pull-out [no pun intended] in Illinois

Posted on by
1

For the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops, the outcome is a prime example of what they see as an escalating campaign by the government to trample on their religious freedom while expanding the rights of gay people. The idea that religious Americans are now the victims of government-backed persecution is now a frequent theme not just for Catholic bishops, but also for Republican presidential candidates and conservative evangelicals. . .

But now most of the Catholic Charities affiliates in Illinois are closing down rather than comply with a new requirement that says they can no longer receive state money if they turn away same-sex couples as potential foster care and adoptive parents. . .

Society is evolving, but the Catholic Church is refusing to evolve with it. These states have chosen to recognize some of the basic civil rights of their LGBT citizens. They have also decided it is not legal or appropriate for a state to be funding discrimination against them. 

Read more . . . 

The Christmas War on Atheism: What’s the Religious Right Whining About When It’s Really Non-Believers Who Are Under Attack?

Posted on by
2

Right-wing Christians are waging a war on non-believers’ right not to have religion shoved down their throats. . .

The “war on Christmas” victim narrative usually tries to obscure what’s really at stake: the promotion of Christianity at the expense of other faiths and non-belief. . .

Essentially, the Christian Right wants the government to back its religion. . .

If we wanted to borrow from the Christian Right’s hyperbolic framing, a “war on Atheists” or “war on Secularism” would be a more appropriate title for the holiday season, and all year-round.

Read more . . .  

Are the .01% Capitalists?

Posted on by
2

The super-rich might not be so outraged by accusations that they haven’t earned their money fairly if they didn’t know it was true. . .

Many of today’s super-rich, particularly in the financial sector, have achieved their wealth in ways that are fundamentally anti-capitalist. As a consequence, people are justifiably wondering whether we have an economy that operates on the principles of capitalism or of oligarchy. . .

Are the rich and successful the creators of wealth and jobs for all of us, or are they the predators and moochers (Ayn Rand’s term in Atlas Shrugged), the reverse Robin Hoods who succeed by finding ways to redistribute wealth upwards?

Read more . . .