I agree with everything except your use of the word liberal. These are not liberals. Liberals do not believe in "social justice" a Marxist concept. They support the fair application of the rule of law. They accept the right of the aggrieved to peacefully demonstrate or protest but they don't regard the theater of "protest" as a serious way to effect change. They don't see the world through an oppressed oppressor frame. There are very few liberals left in the Democratic Party which is filled with RADICALS and some (Like President Biden) who are cowed or frightened by Marxist radicals. Radical perspective has completely engulfed the education system of the United States. Not that every teacher is a communist. But virtually all the educational establishment has ingrained the belief thar radical tactics are proper and appropriate. This is true of the academy and the lower education establishment which teaches children this. The mainstream media believes it. I have seen mega wealthy television news personalities writing on Twitter that taking over campuses is a common and long established method for students to share their concerns and how dare the police intervene. This is needless to say crazy. So those you think of as liberal are not liberal. They are radical. Even if they don't realize they are radical, it's become so normalized that they are. It's become a "right wing " position that "children should be taught to love their own society and civilization." If Republicans promote a bill to push this into curriculum the Democrats who are radical not liberal will oppose it. All of this has become so normalized among the elites. I don't know how we get back from it because I don't think Trump is the man to lead us back to real liberalism and away from radicalism
Mr Mirengoff, an excellent article. I only beg to differ on your opening paragraphs about David Leonhardt. I rarely find him to make fair comparisons on anything. He always distorts one side of an argument and does this while pretending to be even handed. I find his column infuriating most days. He misleads his readers and helps them maintain their prejudices. Here is from his column today:
“At times, Israel has been a reluctant negotiator. It has been hesitant to withdraw its troops, free more Palestinian prisoners or allow Gazans to return to their homes — or what remains of them — in the north.”
During WWII, Eisenhower was reluctant to remove his troops. Israel hs been reluctant to release 100 convicted terrorist murderers for each civilian hostage. Israel won’t let Palestinians return to the north because it is still a war zone.
I am making these points. David Leonhardt never makes such points.
To parody him: we have two choices for president this election but each hs his drawbacks. One is an old man but wonderful and competent with a clear and principled vision for America. But yes, he is old. The other candidate has an excellent dental record but he is a psychopath and narcissist who will destroy the world, but yes he has great teeth. That’s why the political parties have each selected their candidate. Conservatives worry about age but like good teeth. Democrats are concerned with saving democracy. — that is a David Leonhardt “balanced” article.
I agree with everything except your use of the word liberal. These are not liberals. Liberals do not believe in "social justice" a Marxist concept. They support the fair application of the rule of law. They accept the right of the aggrieved to peacefully demonstrate or protest but they don't regard the theater of "protest" as a serious way to effect change. They don't see the world through an oppressed oppressor frame. There are very few liberals left in the Democratic Party which is filled with RADICALS and some (Like President Biden) who are cowed or frightened by Marxist radicals. Radical perspective has completely engulfed the education system of the United States. Not that every teacher is a communist. But virtually all the educational establishment has ingrained the belief thar radical tactics are proper and appropriate. This is true of the academy and the lower education establishment which teaches children this. The mainstream media believes it. I have seen mega wealthy television news personalities writing on Twitter that taking over campuses is a common and long established method for students to share their concerns and how dare the police intervene. This is needless to say crazy. So those you think of as liberal are not liberal. They are radical. Even if they don't realize they are radical, it's become so normalized that they are. It's become a "right wing " position that "children should be taught to love their own society and civilization." If Republicans promote a bill to push this into curriculum the Democrats who are radical not liberal will oppose it. All of this has become so normalized among the elites. I don't know how we get back from it because I don't think Trump is the man to lead us back to real liberalism and away from radicalism
Mr Mirengoff, an excellent article. I only beg to differ on your opening paragraphs about David Leonhardt. I rarely find him to make fair comparisons on anything. He always distorts one side of an argument and does this while pretending to be even handed. I find his column infuriating most days. He misleads his readers and helps them maintain their prejudices. Here is from his column today:
“At times, Israel has been a reluctant negotiator. It has been hesitant to withdraw its troops, free more Palestinian prisoners or allow Gazans to return to their homes — or what remains of them — in the north.”
During WWII, Eisenhower was reluctant to remove his troops. Israel hs been reluctant to release 100 convicted terrorist murderers for each civilian hostage. Israel won’t let Palestinians return to the north because it is still a war zone.
I am making these points. David Leonhardt never makes such points.
To parody him: we have two choices for president this election but each hs his drawbacks. One is an old man but wonderful and competent with a clear and principled vision for America. But yes, he is old. The other candidate has an excellent dental record but he is a psychopath and narcissist who will destroy the world, but yes he has great teeth. That’s why the political parties have each selected their candidate. Conservatives worry about age but like good teeth. Democrats are concerned with saving democracy. — that is a David Leonhardt “balanced” article.
Well said
Great post. Jim Dueholm