(The comment below was sent to my personal email by Dominique. I have copied Dominique's email and pasted it here, where it belongs).
_________________________
Thank you for this Salim!
You do a wonderful job at inviting the reader to see both the corruption of the current narrative on Ukraine but also to plant the seed of the dangerous and erroneous nature of the lay person’s ideal of democracy. Far too often when I hear even those in the freedom movement talk about a return to democracy and democratic principles what I hear is a naive and misunderstood belief that democracy is the gateway to a freer happier life. Most people do not understand Aristotle's criticism of democracy and that our classical philosophical tradition warns that it is the handmaiden to tyranny as an antidote to the chaos of mob rule. I realize that the use of the term is often for the purpose inspiring the masses to pay attention to the state of affairs, educate themselves, and work toward positive change. However few take the time to actually learn and understand what is going on and what is at stake. The fact, as I see it, is that there are few people who are truly interested in understanding the responsibility, hard work, and sacrifice that leadership entails and far too quickly get enamoured with the perks and power of it. Once ensnared in this part of the political world so called leaders show who they truly are and show that their intent is not, if it ever was, to lead but rather to control so that they can be in charge and reap the rewards of power. I don’t mean to seem cynical as I have great hope in God’s plan but I have not seen many who are willing to submit to it or even willing to try to open their minds to it (as imperfect as our interpretation of His plan can be). In the end true humility is not a virtue sought after nor encouraged among current political players.
So what are we to do? What are our options? For most these days it is to accept the lesser of the evils and pray and work at trying to manipulate the manipulators. But as Chris Deburg cautions us in “Spanish train” when the saint attempts to play the devil’s game the devil always wins! The lesser of evils is still evil…
Odd that the media only saw fit to rail against Maisonneuve's criticism of "cancel culture" while leaving his support for a "de facto Nazi regime" as an unquestioned non-entity. Blinkered thinking all around?
(The comment below was sent to my personal email by Dominique. I have copied Dominique's email and pasted it here, where it belongs).
_________________________
Thank you for this Salim!
You do a wonderful job at inviting the reader to see both the corruption of the current narrative on Ukraine but also to plant the seed of the dangerous and erroneous nature of the lay person’s ideal of democracy. Far too often when I hear even those in the freedom movement talk about a return to democracy and democratic principles what I hear is a naive and misunderstood belief that democracy is the gateway to a freer happier life. Most people do not understand Aristotle's criticism of democracy and that our classical philosophical tradition warns that it is the handmaiden to tyranny as an antidote to the chaos of mob rule. I realize that the use of the term is often for the purpose inspiring the masses to pay attention to the state of affairs, educate themselves, and work toward positive change. However few take the time to actually learn and understand what is going on and what is at stake. The fact, as I see it, is that there are few people who are truly interested in understanding the responsibility, hard work, and sacrifice that leadership entails and far too quickly get enamoured with the perks and power of it. Once ensnared in this part of the political world so called leaders show who they truly are and show that their intent is not, if it ever was, to lead but rather to control so that they can be in charge and reap the rewards of power. I don’t mean to seem cynical as I have great hope in God’s plan but I have not seen many who are willing to submit to it or even willing to try to open their minds to it (as imperfect as our interpretation of His plan can be). In the end true humility is not a virtue sought after nor encouraged among current political players.
So what are we to do? What are our options? For most these days it is to accept the lesser of the evils and pray and work at trying to manipulate the manipulators. But as Chris Deburg cautions us in “Spanish train” when the saint attempts to play the devil’s game the devil always wins! The lesser of evils is still evil…
Pax et libertas,
Dominique
Odd that the media only saw fit to rail against Maisonneuve's criticism of "cancel culture" while leaving his support for a "de facto Nazi regime" as an unquestioned non-entity. Blinkered thinking all around?