Bush's Dangerous Liaisons »
Posted by: deathray 10 months, 1 week ago274 Comments Report this Story
Though 18th-century France may seem impossibly distant to contemporary Americans, future historians examining Mr. Bush's presidency within the longer sweep of political and intellectual history may find the French Revolution useful in understanding his curious brand of 21st- century conservatism.
Read Full Story at nytimes.com
Join the Discussion 
+ Add Comment
Comments So Far: 274
-
0%
deathray10 months, 1 week ago
I don't want to ruin the reading of the op ed for anyone, since it demonstrates certian congruencies between the War on Terror and certain aspects of the French Revolution; it does have a bit of a surprise ending.
I think you'll enjoy this.
Reply-
-
0%
Silverghost10 months, 1 week ago
Deathray: Thanx 4 the lesson on the French Revolution from a Frenchman's viewpoint. It also doubles as an excellent story for Halloween, with all the blood & Gore (Oh my, did I inadvertently capitalize that last word? LOL). Maybe the murder of innocent chads should be the next story! ; - p
Are you trying to associate our President with Jacobin rule, whereby dissenters were beheaded? The question then would be: "Where is the blood & the silence?"
Do you think that Propeller should have a Reason category OpEd for reporting stories? It seems efficient for such as this one, in which the article in New York Times is clearly labeled "Opinion" & "OpEd" both & since you clearly understood that before submission.
BTW, the newly popularly elected conservative French leader, Nicolas Sarkozy, has extended support for our beleaguered Prex. If the French can see this, who are the violent Jacobins? -Rev. S
Reply
-
-
0%
Aidenag10 months, 1 week ago
This was a great read DR, thank you for submitting it. Was surprised i hadnt heard about this before. scouring the net for more info now. Wiki has a good bit on the Jacobin Club:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacobin_Club
Reply-
0%
PapaWolf10 months, 1 week ago
I had an advanced history class in college (liked it so much, I took it twice) that dealt with Europe from the end of the War Of The Roses through WW-I. My professor at the time idolized the French, so we spent a lot of time on the French Revolution.
I thought I recognized the tactics of this administration. Just didn't put it together - been a LONG time since I had that class.
Reply
-
-
0%
insideoutgraphics10 months, 1 week ago
deathray, When I got to the punch line,I thought BINGO! Each time I heard a neoconservative speech, especially Bush's, I kept thinking to myself, I think he is describing himself, except he's attempting to project himself as something else while all the while attempting to frame others as negative forces.Each time Bush states what a so called terrorist is , I thought, you jackass, you're reading from your own play book and actually are attempting to do a side winding transfer of your own ideals as being of those of the Terrah-ists.
Each argument put out by the Bush Adm, has in fact, described themselves but merely transplanted the focus to others. No wonder it is so easy for Bush to talk his talk, while mangling the pretend made for public speeches. But he gets the speech down pat when he attempts to describe reasons for being a nation on the offensive. Because he is the terrah-ist. He's always defining himself as he attempts to define the evil doers.
Reply -
-
-
0%
humemacdonald10 months, 1 week ago
Thanks Deathray, a timely history refresher. I know I have mentioned it before but Alexis De Tocqueville's writings would also be a great addition to the reading list for those interested in viewing contemporary events in a larger historical context.
Reply
