Trumpism And "The Revolt Of The Masses": A Lesson In Spanish Philosophy

Dear Fred,

Since those of us on the left side of the aisle are thoughtful, latitudinarian people by nature -- and because we automatically project our "liberality" onto others -- we are disinclined to admit the sheer dumb-fuck perversity of (and/or religious) armor threatens to break them.

Except for self-lobotimization, how can Elaine begin her day by circulating the following quote -- "Newspapers are the thread that sews together the fabric of our nation's communities, watching over local governments and preserving the freedoms we all hold dear" -- and in less than an hour comment: "I agree that the press is his enemy. I do not see much (that is) balanced in (mainstream press) reporting." 

The point is not that the press is Trump's enemy.

The point is that Trump said "the press is the enemy of the American people" - and that accusation makes him an enemy of the American people.

The mainstream press represents Trump as "the enemy" because he IS the enemy -- the enemy of Enlightenment-based Democracy, which is the "democratic tradition" that has been the nation's cornerstone from The Founders onward. 

Liberal democracy is a liberal political ideology and a form of government in which representative democracy operates under the principles of classical liberalism. Also called western democracy, it is characterised by elections between multiple distinct political parties, a separation of powers into different branches of government, the rule of law in everyday life as part of an open society and the equal protection of human rights, civil rights, civil liberties and political freedoms for all people. To define the system in practice, liberal democracies often draw upon a constitution, either formally written or uncodified, to delineate the powers of government and enshrine the social contract.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberal_democracy

If Trumpistas want to destroy liberal democracy, they should at least have the integrity and courage to come out and state (their essentially theocratic) intent.

Lamentably, it is much more likely they don't know enough history -- nor care enough about history -- to have a clue what The Enlightenment was and what The Founders set themselves to do.

Mingya!

As for "fair and balanced"... 

Not only can we safely assume that Elaine is a fan of Faux News, but just last hour I listened to Joshua Johnson's examination of "guns and epidemic suicide" (especially in western states), and -- as always -- 1A went out of its way to ensure a balanced "panel."

NPR is not perfect but Fox News doesn't occupy the same universe of journalistic integrity. 

People Who Watch Only Fox News Know Less Than People Who Watch No News

http://paxonbothhouses.blogspot.com/2014/07/people-who-watch-only-fox-news-know.html

Later today, I will circulate an email with the subject line, "Was José Ortega y Gasset The Most Important Philosopher Of The 20th Century?" 

I encourage you to read it.

"Most Important Philosopher" is a reworking of an earlier blog post and was inspired by last night's conference call with Jim Sanfilipo and Frances Vito.

Here are the third and fourth paragraphs:

In his prefatory note to "La Rebelión De Las Masas," Ortega y Gasset says:  "My purpose now is to collect and complete what I have already said, so as to produce an organic doctrine concerning the most important fact of our time."

Although I cannot say if Ortega was absolutely accurate in identifying "the most important fact of our time," the "revolt of the masses" is a leading contender, and - in my mind - his analysis is precisely predictive of the social (or shall I say anti-social) political milieu that has resulted in the ascendancy of Trumpism with its boorishness, contempt-for-knowledge and gleeful cruelty.

Alan: In the Catholic tradition, Aquinas' inestimable regard for Reason has been partially prophylactic against faithful ardor trashing truth.

Arguing against those who said that natural philosophy was contrary to the Christian faith, (Aquinas) writes in his treatise "Faith, Reason and Theology that "even though the natural light of the human mind is inadequate to make known what is revealed by faith, nevertheless what is divinely taught to us by faith cannot be contrary to what we are endowed with by nature. One or the other would have to be false, and since we have both of them from God, he would be the cause of our error, which is impossible." 

"Aladdin's Lamp: How Greek Science Came to Europe Through the Islamic World" 

by John Freely

The above photos were taken in Iraq's Abu Ghraid prison.

They are among the photos Uncle Sam chose to release.

There is a whole other "album" of Abu Ghraib photos so grotesque that it has been sealed by court order.

This Carlin quote is central to Ortega y Gasset's socio-economic interpretation of "The Revolt Of The Masses." 

Paz contigo,

Alan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Elaine
Date: Thu, Jul 5, 2018 at 11:39 AM
Subject: Re: Thought for the Day: Community
To: Alan Archibald <alanarchibaldo@gmail.com>
Cc: Fred Owens <froghospital911@gmail.com>

I agree that the press is his enemy. I do not see much balanced in their reporting.

That is my perspective, and I know we disagree. Sorry.

I hope we can just agree to disagree and leave it at that. THX/ek

From: Alan Archibaldo <alanarchibaldo@gmail.com>
Date: Thursday, July 5, 2018 9:31 AM

To: Microsoft Office User Elaine
Cc: Fred Owens <froghospital911@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Thought for the Day: Community

You make a poiint that is open for discussion.

But whether or not CNN and MSNBC "unite communities" is an ENTIRELY different matter.

Honest debate does not involve rhetorical shiftiness.

And responsibility requires dealing with the issue in hand.

FACT: Trump is an enemy of the press.

On Thu, Jul 5, 2018 at 10:20 AM, Elaine wrote:

I do not see how CNN and MSNBC serve to unite communities. :)

From: Alan Archibaldo <alanarchibaldo@gmail.com>
Date: Thursday, July 5, 2018 9:11 AM
To: Microsoft Office User Elaine
Cc: Fred Owens <froghospital911@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: Thought for the Day: Community

I totally agree!

Here's who doesn't...

On Thu, Jul 5, 2018 at 10:07 AM, E wrote:

Newspapers are the thread that sews together the fabric of our nation's communities, watching over local governments and preserving the freedoms we all hold dear."

-- Inland Press Assoc.

Hope you all enjoyed the Independence Day Celebrations. :)

E