David Thompson, on False Consciousness and the modern “peace studies” movement led by Norwegian Marxist and professor Johann Galtung: Galtung is the founder of the “peace universityâ€Â, Transcend, which stresses “a new reality†in conflict resolution and reporting – one based largely on “recognising the validity of the other†and avoiding descriptive terms like “barbarous†and “terroristâ€Â. How that “new reality†would address the actual realities of jihadist groups such
language / intentionalism
July 31, 2007
Follow-up: semiotics, intention, and reading "Scott Thomas"
A few days back I linked to (and subsequently commented on, in a way I thought was politically neutral) Dr John Barnes’ semiotic analysis of “Scott Thomas,” who has since been revealed as Scott Beauchamp, a one-time MFA student at U of MO, Columbia. Barnes, as he himself noted in the post, leans politically left — a point lost on some of his critics, who either think he’s lying (because
July 26, 2007
the Semiotics of "Scott Thomas": another perspective
Before I take off for the day, one more quick post, which — sadly, for some of you — will take on a bit of an academic tone. Which means it will get wordy and dull, and very unfluffy. Apologies in advance — though if it helps, I don’t mind you picturing me discoursing on these things while wearing giant clown shoes and juggling colorful bowling pins. For some of
July 9, 2007
About the author — interpretation, intention, and the "historical" agency
An interesting juxtaposition on “journalistic disclosure” from today’s Rocky Mountain News, which excerpts competing views from the National Journal’s William Powers and CBSNews’ Brian Montopoli. First, here’s Powers, who, it’s fair to say, believes journalistic outlets should provide their readerships with biographical information on their reporters: Every news outlet of any consequence now has endless space online to offer supplementary information about the people who report, edit, and produce the
June 29, 2007
The ACLU makes a right (or, maybe, "correct") turn
From Jacob Sullum, “Driving While Armed,” Aug/Sept Reason (print edition): Since “the constitutional right to bear arms is primarily a collective one,” the American Civil Liberties Union has said, the extent to which the government should restrict gun ownership “is a question left open by the Constitution.” In a longstanding break with this position, the ACLU of Texas is defending the rights of motorists to carry guns in their cars.
February 24, 2007
On Dr Andrew ("Thersites") Haggerty, Community College Professor (UPDATED and UPDATED AGAIN)
[I’m posting this update here, because I wish it to be stated up front. It has come to my attention that Dr Haggerty wrote the following on his site with respect to our debate on interpretation and how it works: My sense was that JG had one theory and was overcommitted to it, and wasn’t aware of other approaches to the issue. His response to that post confirmed that, so
February 16, 2007
On cultural materialism, language, and the progressive gambit
From Linda Kimball at Amercan Thinker, a broad but interesting historical overview of the path Cultural Marxism has cut through the American political scene. Writes Kimball: It is said that courage is the first of the virtues because without it fear will paralyze man, thus keeping him from acting upon his moral convictions and speaking truth. Thus bringing about a general state of paralyzing fear, apathy, and submission—the chains of
May 29, 2006
in which I spend my morning correcting a number of remarkably self-satisfied “academics” who, quite frankly, have no idea what they are talking about
Not really what I wanted to be doing this morning—and I only have 25 minutes to do it, because I’ve just taken my Gaspari SuperPump 250, and that powdered supplement is a tough taskmaster, demanding of me a certain timeliness to my workouts—so this will be rather quick (though not short). First, let me point out that for someone whom they supposedly believe to be a paste-eating idiot, there are
May 23, 2006
I think SOMEBODY needs a little more frozen strawberry and a little less rum… (UPDATED BELOW THE FOLD)
To this point, I’ve been kind to Thersites, whose flabby attempts at engaging my intentionalist arguments have been both lazy and, quite honestly, embarrassing. In fact, I’ve treated those who’ve come over from his site seriously, and attempted to answer their questions, because it seems at least they are interested in having a substantive discussion on these issues. Which, unfortunately, is a different tack than that taken by Thersites, who
May 18, 2006
Tarring the “Tar-Baby” Tarrers
Several people have emailed to ask if I’m going to comment on the first of what will doubtless be a string of risible attacks on new Press Secretary Tony Snow, namely, this piece of nonsense from Think Progress: Date: May 16, 2006 To: White House Press Secretary Tony Snow From: ThinkProgress.org Re: The use of the term “tar baby Today in your first press briefing you referred to the term