Archive - Aug 2006

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August 21st

The Politics of Poverty

Posted August 21, 2006 - 2:42pm by Will Hinton

A friend of mine from church recently sent me an article by Bill McKibben entitled "The Christian Paradox" that was published in Harpers last summer. After reading the article, I realized that I have read many similar articles over the past couple of years.

The gist of the article is that while most Americans claim to be Christians, they don't appear to be following Christ's commands, particularly as it relates to caring for the poor. This premise is central to the Religious Left's critique of our culture, as often expressed by people such as Jim Wallis or Ron Sider.

Of course many on the Religious Right counter that laissez-faire capitalism is the only way to provide for the poor.

Both groups are wrong and I am going to take this opportunity to show why.

August 20th

Opinion Masquerading as News

Posted August 20, 2006 - 9:33pm by Will Hinton

I came upon this story yesterday at Yahoo News from the AP. Here is the first paragraph:

"American students often get the impression from history classes that the British got here first, settling Jamestown, Va., in 1607. They hear about how white Northerners freed the black slaves, how Asians came in the mid-1800s to build Western railroads. The lessons have left out a lot."

Talk about a red herring. I was in high school over 15 years ago and this wasn't what I was taught. I have a hard time believing that history lessons have become more Euro-centric since then. So what gives here?

August 17th

Stop the Demogoguery Hugh!

Posted August 17, 2006 - 10:39pm by Will Hinton

So I am reading Hugh Hewitt's blog tonight and come upon a post about today's court decision regarding warrentless surveillance. After a legal analysis of the decision, Hugh throws out the usual conservative talking points:

"Rather, the judge has triggered another great moment of clarity about the Ned Lamont Democrats (and the Jon Tester Democrats in Montana, the Debbie Stabenow Democrats in Michigan, the Maria Cantwell Democrats in Washington State, the Sherrod Brown Democrats in Ohio etc etc.)  Judge Anna Diggs Taylor is a Jimmy Carter appointee, and so she's even given us a twofer today:  Illustrating the vast dangers of liberals running national security, and the lasting impact of liberal presidents on national security."

I'll Have the Good Music, Hold the Politics

Posted August 17, 2006 - 7:26am by Will Hinton

I recently read one of the silliest journalistic exercises I have ever seen. In the current issue of National Review, John J. Miller writes about the "50 Greatest Conservative Rock Songs". Some of the selections include "Won't Get Fooled Again" by The Who, "Taxman" by the Beatles, and "Don't Tread on Me" by Metallica.

The Genius of Wes Anderson

Posted August 17, 2006 - 7:24am by Will Hinton

This post is way overdue, especially considering the title of my old blog. But I am prompted by my recent obsessive watching of The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. I just bought the DVD last week and have watched it at least 10 times already. Though I don't think that I will ever catch up with the screenings of Bottle Rocket - it is surely over 100 times by now.