![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Sigismund on June 13, 2007, at 21:14:59
When it comes to politics, that's about the only way to get there, until they open the archives or someone spills the beans.
Posted by fayeroe on June 16, 2007, at 20:56:19
In reply to Jumping to conclusions, posted by Sigismund on June 13, 2007, at 21:14:59
> When it comes to politics, that's about the only way to get there, until they open the archives or someone spills the beans.
Cheney says his guestbook comes under the Presidential Confidentiality thingy......
Posted by fayeroe on June 16, 2007, at 21:01:18
In reply to Re: Jumping to conclusions, posted by fayeroe on June 16, 2007, at 20:56:19
Posted by zeugma on June 22, 2007, at 20:47:45
In reply to Re: Jumping to conclusions, posted by fayeroe on June 16, 2007, at 20:56:19
> > When it comes to politics, that's about the only way to get there, until they open the archives or someone spills the beans.
>
> Cheney says his guestbook comes under the Presidential Confidentiality thingy......
>
>
He tried to disband the agency appointed to investigate his visitor log.He has also claimed that although the President has granted him executive priviledge, he is not a member of the executive branch.
This leads to the natural question of what branch Mr. Cheney does belong to. Apparently he is a legislator (he does cast the deciding vote in the case of a Senate tie- this was intended by the Framers of the Constitution as a check on the legislative branch by the executive branch, analogous to the president's veto power- that is my interpretation, it is the most parsimonious amd sensible one, and it is routinely taught to schoolchildren- although it is strongly at variance with Mr. Cheney's novel argument- I detect the influence here of Leo Strauss, who held that there are truths fit for children, and truths for the lesser sort of adults, and then the 'real' truths for the ruling class- I think such an interpretation is touching in its paternalism) but uniquely also a staffer in the Executive Branch, with all the immunity that implies (and these days, there is nothing it doesn't imply). In effect, this makes him a legislator with executive powers- a true novelty in the history of this republic.
If this argument holds up (and since Alberto Gonzales has been asked to adjudicate the matter, it will- ) all the textbooks that say Separation of Powers is integral to our political way of life will be in need of revision. I have seen several that claim that Separation of Powers is the essential mark distinguishing a republic from a monarchy.
They are correct, but a republic is a demanding form of government, and Mr. Cheney invites us to relax. Or as Strauss would say, time to go to bed, children.
-z
Posted by zeugma on June 26, 2007, at 6:48:56
In reply to Re: Jumping to conclusions, posted by zeugma on June 22, 2007, at 20:47:45
It is a crucial part of Strauss' methodology for reading texts that there are 'exoteric' and 'esoteric' readings, with the esoteric ones being for grownups, and the exoteric ones for naive souls, such as it is presumed children have.
Perhaps 'exoteric' is synonymous with 'official.' We can consult the official U.S. Government site, to see if we can read it naively, with a childlike trust in its contents, and then, work out if we can a 'higher' reading congenial to the VP's claims.
http://www.usa.gov/Agencies/Federal/Executive.shtml
A boon of this tactic is that it puts 'facts' in their proper place. Lies, for instance, can be truths if viewed in the proper light.-z
Posted by Sigismund on June 26, 2007, at 16:03:14
In reply to truths for children, posted by zeugma on June 26, 2007, at 6:48:56
When an electorate knows their government is lying and is happy enough to reelect it, does that mean that the electorate is grown up?
Posted by zeugma on June 26, 2007, at 17:30:15
In reply to Question » zeugma, posted by Sigismund on June 26, 2007, at 16:03:14
> When an electorate knows their government is lying and is happy enough to reelect it, does that mean that the electorate is grown up?>>
yes, as a rule, a mature electorate knows that truth is only an incidental virtue; we all know how often it is sacrificed to the higher good.Among great writers, Oscar Wilde has given voice to the strong desire of the mature, cultured individual for more, and better liars in public places:
"[Politicians] never rise beyond the level of misrepresentation, and actually condescend to prove, to discuss, to argue. How different from the temper of the true liar, with his frank, fearless statements, his superb irresponsibility, his healthy, natural disdain of proof of any kind!"
http://www.mnstate.edu/gracyk/courses/phil%20of%20art/wildetext.htm
The whole thing is worth reading, in the context of the present discussion.
-z
Posted by Sigismund on June 26, 2007, at 18:42:15
In reply to Re: Question » Sigismund, posted by zeugma on June 26, 2007, at 17:30:15
I shall go and read that.
How about a media and public that ignores the torture of one of its citizens?
They're grown up too?
Posted by caraher on June 26, 2007, at 21:01:38
In reply to Re: Question » zeugma, posted by Sigismund on June 26, 2007, at 18:42:15
Apparently these children haven't yet grown up: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x36359
Posted by zeugma on June 27, 2007, at 8:27:56
In reply to Re: Question, posted by caraher on June 26, 2007, at 21:01:38
> Apparently these children haven't yet grown up: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x36359>;.
The best and the brightest seldom express the values of a mature electorate.
That is why Wilde extols the virtues of national stupidity.
-z
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Politics | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.