Category Archives: Rhetoric

John Leo and the deep dark secret of language (or) “Code words”

Posted on March 17, 2010 by admin

There has been some hullabaloo of late over Glenn Beck urging Christians to leave churches (read congregations) that preach social justice. Did Jesus not preach social justice? Is Glenn Beck against Jesus? Please understand I am not a fan or … Continue reading →

Posted in Language, Rhetoric | 3 Comments

Spare us the lame and contradictory (liberal) excuses!

Posted on February 19, 2010 by Rick

[This new version of WordPress the "insert media" function does not work. Sorry no illustrations until that gets fixed.] Man – National Review Online was just swimming with powerful articles this morning. Where to start? Charles Krauthammer on whether America … Continue reading →

Posted in Logic and Reason, Media, News, Politics, Rhetoric | Comments Off

Defending Senator Henry Reid (but not what he said)

Posted on January 12, 2010 by Rick

That Senator Harry Reid said some rather bizarre things – about then Candidate Senator Obama being “light skinned” and not speaking with a “Negro dialect” – does not especially upset me. Of course what he said was inappropriate ridiculous and … Continue reading →

Posted in Ethnicity and race, Politics, Rhetoric, Uncategorized | Comments Off

The politics of salvation (or) "You are not merely wrong but evil"

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Rick

A post about overheated rhetoric against “conservatives”. Link to a new post at Gay Patriot about “Why Do Some on Left Demonize Dissent”? A comment to that post by the author of the exceptional essay “Hayekian ignorance as cognitive affront” … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Logic and Reason, Rhetoric | Comments Off

Not feeling the warm liberal fuzziness (or) "Bleep you and die Senator Lieberman!"

Posted on December 15, 2009 by Rick

This may cross a line. There is a man I love and respect – whom I regard as a better man/husband/father/minister than I am – whose social-political views are often very different from mine. We are “friends” on Facebook. He … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun and Geek Stuff, Healthcare, Personal, Politics, Rhetoric | Comments Off

President Obama's great(est) speech in Oslo

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Rick

Listening to significant portions of his Nobel Peace Prize speech on  NPR – last night? this morning? – I thought: Wow. Give the man credit for saying what needed to be said when it mattered. Was it perfect? Of course … Continue reading →

Posted in News, Politics, Rhetoric | 1 Comment

Excellent speech by President Obama – seriously

Posted on September 13, 2009 by Rick

Ah yes the controversial address to the schoolchildren of America by President Barack Obama on September 9. Yes we can complain legitimately about the “teaching materials” that the Department of Education first planned to use – and then did not. … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics, Rhetoric, Theology | Comments Off

In praise of honest liberals(?) – Camille Paglia strikes again

Posted on September 9, 2009 by Rick

She voted for President Obama. Wants to see healthcare reform go through. But she has no patience for hypocrisy and stupidity. Camille Paglia is a liberal(?) I can respect. (I put ? after “liberal” because what does that word mean … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare, Media, Politics, Propaganda, Rhetoric | Comments Off

God and politics for me – but not for thee

Posted on August 27, 2009 by Rick

Losing respect for people with whom I used to identify is painful. And I am beginning to despair for the future of rationality and honesty in our nation. Where does one even begin? I made the mistake of following a … Continue reading →

Posted in Christianity, Healthcare, Politics, Propaganda, Religion, Rhetoric | 1 Comment

"You are not merely wrong – you are stupid and evil so shut up"

Posted on August 13, 2009 by Rick

I am deeply troubled by the emerging contours of public discourse – particularly since… oh… 2008. Consider this fact. That we are debating the nature and character of those who come to recent town-hall meetings to ask questions and even … Continue reading →

Posted in Healthcare, Politics, Rhetoric, Society and Culture | Comments Off