ChrisCam Broadsheet

2540.\\ The Obama Contradiction

One of my favorites slices and dices the State of the Union address. Peggy always has a way of going beyond what other pundits have to say and putting the subject within a broader, more meaningful context.

Best bit:

"The central fact of the speech was the contradiction at its heart. It repeatedly asserted that Washington is the answer to everything. At the same time it painted a picture of Washington as a sick and broken place. It was a speech that argued against itself: You need us to heal you. Don't trust us, we think of no one but ourselves."

Exactly.

Reported by Christo the Elder on January 29, 2010 @ 09:39

 TAGGED AS: Barack Obama, Peggy Noonan, State of the Union

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2532.\\ Senator Brown is on board

I love Peggy Noonan. Her writing is always enjoyable. Her piece today strikes the cautiously optimistic tone that resonates with me and with what I believe is an increasing portion of the population.

Best bit:

"Is it a backlash? It seems cooler than that, a considered and considerable rejection that appears to be signaling a conservative resurgence based on issues and policies, most obviously opposition to increased government spending, fear of higher taxes, and rejection of the idea that expansion of government can or will solve our economic challenges."

Reported by Christo the Elder on January 22, 2010 @ 08:41

 TAGGED AS: Democrats, GOP, Obama, Peggy Noonan, Politics

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2479.\\ I Don't Know Whether to Applaud Her or Not

Peggy Noonan is typically spot on with her analysis. And normally I cheer and applaud out loud when I read her material. She was one of the genius minds behind Reagan's optimistic message. Her latest column, however, is so pessimistic that I have a hard time believing she's right. Or rather, I suppose I don't want to believe that she is.

Is it possible that American decline could be the result of loss of faith in her institutions to such an extent that effective government becomes untenable? What happens then? Do we become a Confederation of States loosely aligned? Does politics become local again? Were the Athenians actually correct and Republics on a continental scale are impossible to sustain?

Reported by Christo the Elder on October 30, 2009 @ 09:15

 TAGGED AS: Democracy, Peggy Noonan, Pessimism, Politics, Republic

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