Notes from GOP Presidential Debate sponsored by Fox News
Best to Worst Nikki Haley Chris Christie Mike Pence Tim Scott Ron DeSantis Asa Hutchinson Governor Burgin Ramaswamy
Best Insult: Christie comparing Ramaswamy to Chatgpt Best Moments: Pence and Haley reading the riot act to a “smarmy” Ramaswamy on his lack of foreign affairs experience and knowledge Biggest Surprise: Feistiness of Mike Pence Biggest Loser: Debate mob that booed Ukraine and a defense of our Constitution, applauded Putin and their irrational support of Donald Trump
Haley has a remote chance to be the nominee. Hard to see the others get the GOP nomination.
This book was a very pleasant surprise. In college, I took a philosophy course that covered Pragmatism and I read books by William James, Charles Sanders Pierce, John Dewey, Josiah Royce etc. Kaag had a strong interest in the American philosophy of the late 19th century and did an excellent job of explaining it so that the general reader could understand it. In addition, he described the personalities and lives of the various philosophers – – many of them had more interesting lives outside of their academic pursuits. Kaag’s research takes place in the abandoned library of William Ernest Hocking. To be honest, reading about someone’s research in a library could be very tedious and boring. But I found it very interesting – –Kaag’s dedication and pursuit of information and material.
I highlight portions of books I own if I find them informative or interesting. Shown below are some of my notes below:
Pragmatism holds the truth is to be judged on the basis of its practical consequences, on its ability to negotiate an enrich human experience.
“Riches take wings; fame is a breath; love is a cheat; youth and health and pleasure vanish.” William James
Thoreau… had a hunch that frenetic busyness should not be the business of human life, that chatter makes one feel horribly alone, that well-paid jobs are different from “callings.” And that long relationships are not necessarily synonymous with meaningful ones. (Thoreau never married.)
Walking gives one many things, according to Thoreau, but one of its greatest gifts is time.
Socrates stands before his neighbors and says the unthinkable – – that there is something worse than death: living an ugly, wicked, boring life.
The lesson that William James gleaned from evolutionarily theory was of an existential variety – – human life was a natural process that began in the wailing of babies and ended in the pangs of death. In between was the seemingly futile struggle for survival.
In the 17th century the Frenchman (Pascal) argued that in the absence of proof, it is safer to believe in God ( since you lose relatively little if you were wrong) about his existence ( then to adopt atheism) and face eternal damnation on the Day of Judgment.
“True equanimity arises when we embrace the flow of life without being swept away by its currents.” – Ram Dass
In memory of two high school classmates who recently died…
As we grow older, we descend like a starship pulling from the gravity of our youthful endeavors, and settle into the “orbit of mortality.”
The sounds of ocean waves lapping along the shore, like hymns from a church organ evoke peace and soulful contemplation.
There is no better sedative than sitting on the couch, cool drink in hand and dozing off to one of my wife’s Hallmark movies.
How I look forward to summer! By July 1, how I look forward to autumn!
My True Confession: I never flirted with a woman I desired. AI version: Desire unspoken, a confession true: I never flirted, yet yearned for you.
Three mindsets of a life long athlete: in youth, WIN; in good health, COMPETE; in old age, PARTICIPATE.
I was surprised to hear of the current writers’ strike in movies and TV. Based on what I view on the screen, I thought their work stoppage began in 1990.
Future historians will equate January 6, 2021 as this era’s Fort Sumter, the start of a new civil war.
In Journals 1952-2000,” Arthur Schlesinger Jr. offers a captivating exploration of American political history spanning the Eisenhower to Clinton administrations. Through his unparalleled connections with U.S. Presidents, foreign leaders, intellectuals, and cultural icons, Schlesinger provides an insider’s perspective on the tumultuous events that shaped the 20th century.
With candor, Schlesinger delves into his personal sentiments, both favorable and critical, towards prominent figures of the era. The admiration for the Kennedy brothers, John and Robert, shines through, while his disillusionment with Lyndon Johnson’s interpersonal approach and bizarre behavior is apparent. Notably, Schlesinger’s palpable disdain for Richard Nixon adds an ironic twist, considering their proximity as neighbors following Nixon’s presidency.
Throughout the book, Schlesinger’s political inclinations come to the fore, as he expresses his reservations about Republican presidents such as Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and Nixon. His critique extends to a fellow Democrat, Jimmy Carter, revealing Schlesinger’s willingness to evaluate leaders from his own party objectively.
The narrative isn’t limited to policy discussions; Schlesinger enthralls readers with captivating anecdotes, insider gossip, and subtle insinuations involving prominent politicians, particularly those in the nation’s capital. Delicate topics, including the romantic entanglements of President Kennedy, Ted Kennedy, Gary Hart, Bill Clinton, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Rockefeller, are deftly navigated.
A noteworthy revelation is Schlesinger’s subtle hint at the complex relationship between himself, Robert Kennedy, and the enigmatic Marilyn Monroe. His close friendship with Jackie Kennedy also comes to the forefront, offering readers a unique glimpse into her life.
“Journals” serves as a window into Schlesinger’s engagement with pivotal issues of his time, encompassing the Vietnam War, the Cold War, Mideast tensions, diplomatic overtures with Russia and China, and the high-stakes Cuban Missile Crisis. Schlesinger’s multifaceted talents shine as he shares his role in crafting speeches and messages for aspiring Democratic presidential candidates.
Despite its substantial 783-page length, it maintains an engrossing narrative that captivates without causing reader fatigue. The book is both an enjoyable read and an invaluable source of information, making it a compelling recommendation for scholars of presidential history and anyone intrigued by the intricacies of American politics and events from 1952 to 2000.
Esot-eric 