tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post5695827735363998912..comments2024-03-25T16:03:36.810-07:00Comments on The Existentialist Cowboy: Above the Law: How Bush Became the Torture PresidentAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-22552513683194252252007-04-12T22:21:00.000-07:002007-04-12T22:21:00.000-07:00Batocchio said...Brecht basically takes on "the Gr...Batocchio said...<BR/><BR/><I>Brecht basically takes on "the Great Man" defense. It was originally written as a radio play.</I><BR/><BR/>That is a concept worth producing again. I have always missed radio drama. At one point, I got involved in helping produce Telemachus Clay (Lewis J. Carlino) for radio broadcast. Radio is a great medium for drama but sadly, low cost formula formats are cheaper and, alas, it's all about big bucks. <BR/><BR/>SadButTrue said...<BR/><BR/><I>They (conservatives) prefer to make up their mind first, prior to the gathering or analysis of any relevant information. It doesn't seem to be working very well for them.</I><BR/><BR/>They will work backward from conclusions to premises. Magellan could not possibly have sailed around the world because it is known that the world is flat.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-6500962891448768452007-04-12T19:53:00.000-07:002007-04-12T19:53:00.000-07:00"In most cases, even issues on which I disagree, t..."<I>In most cases, even issues on which I disagree, there are two or more sides and arguments.</I>"<BR/><BR/>That is the sign of a functioning intellect - to be able to hold two opposing viewpoints in one's mind long enough to give them both due consideration, and then to determine by fact and argument which is superior. This is a process with which the conservative mind seems totally unfamiliar. They prefer to make up their mind first, prior to the gathering or analysis of any relevant information.<BR/><BR/>It doesn't seem to be working very well for them.SadButTruehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09977090207448656065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-56952238808381537862007-04-12T19:33:00.000-07:002007-04-12T19:33:00.000-07:00That is a great Brecht line! He had many. Althou...That is a great Brecht line! He had many. Although honestly, <I>The Trial of Lucullus</I> is not his best or most subtle, even if it's relevant. As I recall, basically the General Lucullus is tried in the afterlife for his crimes. He's indignant because he views himself as a hero, and thus was justified in killing all the people he did, including many innocents. Brecht basically takes on "the Great Man" defense. It was originally written as a radio play.Batocchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02193752396025012825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-68742766539388494122007-04-12T00:42:00.000-07:002007-04-12T00:42:00.000-07:00Batocchio said...The Rall cartoon reminds me of Th...Batocchio said...<BR/><BR/><I>The Rall cartoon reminds me of The Trial of Lucullus by Brecht, actually - that general character of his always does.</I><BR/><BR/>Thanks for the heads up on Brecht's "Trial of Lucullus". I have not read or seen a production of it. But anyone who can write:<BR/><BR/><I>A man who does not know the truth is just an idiot but a man who knows the truth and calls it a lie is a crook. </I> <BR/><BR/>has got to be OK with me. It's among my favorite quotes.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-4747590115389489652007-04-11T23:55:00.000-07:002007-04-11T23:55:00.000-07:00Nice analysis. It really pains me that torture is...Nice analysis. It really pains me that torture is even being debated — still — and that the folks who have the most power are the most clueless and obstinate. But then, that's the Bush adminstration in a nutshell. <BR/><BR/>The Rall cartoon reminds me of <I>The Trial of Lucullus</I> by Brecht, actually - that general character of his always does.Batocchiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02193752396025012825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-19039640648949441352007-04-11T21:19:00.000-07:002007-04-11T21:19:00.000-07:00Indeed, Dave. You are right. In most cases, even i...Indeed, Dave. You are right. In most cases, even issues on which I disagree, there are two or more sides and arguments. As you point out, there is no logical, practical or moral argument in favor of torture. Nothing justifies it. As you say, it is a measure of America's descent into moral bankruptcy.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04598093941551759917noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19580203.post-32173545840840762562007-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:002007-04-11T15:17:00.000-07:00Of all the many issues that I've had with the Bush...Of all the many issues that I've had with the Bush Administration, this has been the one that's pissed me off the most. While I can listen to counter-arguements on everything else they've done, and at least say, okay, I can <I>sort</I> of see where you're coming from, even if I think it's complete bullshit, <I>this</I> one I cannot. Torture is an absolutely immoral action on the part of BushCo, and even marginal support on the part of Americans shows how morally bankrupt our nation has become.daveawayfromhomehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06237313399294302353noreply@blogger.com