Comments for The (Re)Publican

Comment on Postmodern Irony by Ali

Ali — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:37:49 +0000

I’m actually suprised that this is still being pushed. Aren’t these discussions passe?

Comment on Heads Will Roll by Luke A

Luke A — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:46:58 +0000

Bend, a 220-215 victory on such a major piece of legislation? This is exactly what the founding fathers meant when they spoke of the “tyranny of the majority” (of course, they used other words). Thank goondess they had such foresight to try and protect us from such actions!

“It is of great importance in a republic, not only to guard the society against the oppression of its rulers, but to guard one part of the society against the injustice of the other part.” Federalist #51.

50.5% of legislators forcing their will on the other 49.5%? (Public opinion being about as equally divided) on a matter that will GREATLY affect 100% of Americans and 1/6th of the national economy? Sounds like tyranny to me!

Comment on Heads Will Roll by fenderpooh

fenderpooh — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:50:04 +0000

We’ll see. But in the meantime, it looks to me like the angry town hall meetings over the summer and the dramatic (and I mean DRAMATIC) swings in Virginia and New Jersey from last year are signs of things to come.

I can’t think of a single person, whether Democrat, Republican, or whatever, who opposes health insurance reform. But this 2,000 page monstrosity produced by the House is an unconstitutional government takeover that has nothing close to majority support among Americans.

Comment on Heads Will Roll by Ben Hoffman

Ben Hoffman — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 05:25:03 +0000

Naaaa… the majority wanted health insurance reform and Republicans have been going against the wishes of the people. Republicans are going to lose even more seats in Congress next year.

Comment on An Open Letter by Luke A

Luke A — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:34:30 +0000

Bwahaha. Judging from this year’s election, not too well! Whatever Robert Gibbs says!!

Comment on Thought for the Day by writerchick

writerchick — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 01:12:10 +0000

Excellent point! I couldn’t agree more.
WC

Comment on How to Be a Pilgrim by Luke A.

Luke A. — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:05:07 +0000

A very refreshing post Aaron.

Comment on Bold Statement by Ali

Ali — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:55:53 +0000

I think the statement is true…but is not remarkable.

The reality is that evangelical tradition is a difficult thing to pin down. Like any movement, as evangelical tradition has aged it has broadened, bringing so many things under its umbrella that virtually anything can be considered part of the evangelical tradition – even heresy! – and what constitutes evangelicalism is not universally agreed upon.

When it comes to the emerging conversation (and Jim Belcher) “evangelical” is that thing of recent history, whereas DeYoung is trying to define the word in more historical terms. From the little I’ve gleaned about Belcher’s book, the difference is in these definitions – what Belcher considers non-evangelical “tradition”, DeYoung considers “the best of the evangelical…tradition”.

DeYoung’s comments are different from Belcher’s comments in the same way a parent telling a child he can find everything he needs at home is different from the child finding out for himself. In the first instance, the pressure is on the child to remain on the say so of the parent and breeds almost a suspicion of other dwelling places; in the second, the child has discovered the value of the home and voluntarily dwells there, but is not opposed to input from other sources.

I prefer the latter. It’s stultifying to be given no room to discover things for yourself, even if that exploration takes you beyond other people’s comfort zones. The term “a third way” allows for continued exploration.

Comment on Bold Statement by fenderpooh

fenderpooh — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:37:49 +0000

Yes, the question implies some basic familiarity with what was once known as “the emerging church” and the conversation that it has stirred up.

Comment on Bold Statement by Luke A.

Luke A. — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:40:44 +0000

Uh, yes.

Wait! Wait! I mean NO!

Wait! I mean…what was the question?