Melville’s Billy Budd: a Commentary on Burke vs. Paine?

 
Paine (left) wrote Rights of Man as a dagger against Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France
When I began reading Billy Budd, I established a literary and apolitical mindset, but it was an admittedly weak one that could not withstand Melville’s torrent of political references. For example, Melville named Billy’s merchant ship Rights-of-Man, which [...]

Shakespeare, who made America and beat Hitler

In modern democracies, politics and popular culture are inseparable. While a small percentage of Americans know what was discussed on Capitol Hill this week, a significant number know who was booted from American Idol, and observing this tableau, a political mind may be repulsed. For the liberal philosopher, turning the minds of an apathetic or [...]

Going hiking (05.16.08)

Yesterday we went to Zevat, a beautiful old city with a history of violence.  I bought a photograph (artistic double exposure) of a man praying at the Western Wall.  The drive north to Zevat was highlighted by the border fence between Jewish Israel and the Palestinian Authority.  There is a quiet but undeniable animosity between [...]

Dead Sea and Masada (05.20.08)

Today we went to Masada and the Dead Sea–both were beautiful and unique.
Masada’s history, which glorifies religious terrorism, is more than a little ironic.  Historically, we regard Jewish terrorists with reverence, but presently, Islamic terrorists are considered lower than the salt floors of the Dead Sea.
Standing atop Masada, one can look down on creation, and [...]

Review: The Miracle (The Miracle Theatre, Pigeon Forge, TN)

The Miracle is the well-known story of Jesus Christ put into the form of a musical with awesome performance effects. I am not a Christian and think organized religion is, to quote the great actor Jesse “the Body” Ventura (of Wrestlemania fame), “a sham and a crutch for weak-minded people who need strength in numbers, [...]

Wealth, Economics and Foreign Policy

A real financial tip: Don’t buy anything you can’t afford, and hold onto whatever property you have through this depression. This is not a sale on financial stocks, nor is it a time to be jumping into shallow pools of capital. This is the beginning of something unprecedented and horrible for this country, and the media [...]

Letter to Representative John Duncan, Jr., (R), TN

Congressman Duncan,
I think you are acquainted with my parents, _______ and _____ _______.  I am in college, and I have become very interested in history, economics, and government. 
I had heard your name numerous times growing up in Knoxville, but I never took the time to research your politics.  Now that I have done that, I [...]

Comptroller General resigns: Can David Walker save America?

David Walker, the United States’ head accountant, resigned today. Why? He loves his country.
Walker’s warnings about the dangers of deficit spending fell on deaf ears in Congress, so he took his message to the streets. He appeared on 60 Minutes and Glenn Beck, but his message still didn’t take root in American [...]

Old government should be replaced

Prudence often precedes implementation of government programs, regulations, or taxes. Precaution is wise, but it does not guarantee good results. Some government endeavors, most haloed in conception, turn devilish in practice. Therefore, policymakers should scrutinize their decisions just as closely after implementation, recognizing that government and failure are seldom far apart. Unseemly [...]