If my readers believe I am a bit too obsessive about the writings and reflections of Andrew Bacevich, they might be right. But sometimes God, providence, or fate calls a person to a unique place, to speak truth to power when few are listening. Jeremiah wept as he spoke truth to ancient Israel, and few listened. Dr. Bacevich, the wounds of losing his son in Iraq freshly remembered this past Memorial Day, speaks through pain to ask questions which confront our rulers with truth, and with profound and disturbing clarity. In addition to his meditation on the meaning of Memorial Day--see my earlier post--he speaks eloquently and with respect about the meaning of the POW/MIA flags displayed in the town center square where he resides. He also willingly shared personal reflections about his own Memorial Day observance with the listeners of NPR.
I often wonder if anyone is willing to consider Dr. Bacevich's questions?
Two Brits called Jon hand over German baton
2 hours ago
Sorry Jay if I have already sent you this link:
ReplyDeletehttp://distributism.blogspot.com/ I'm trying to promote an interview by Stephen Hand of Distributist John Medaille. Go to link and scroll down the right side of the page to blogspot radio. I think that John gives a comprehensive and concise statement on distributism including why are deficit might be sustainable if we would roll back our imperial ambitions. It's really a rather sad moment but we need to ask ourselves if the world would be better off without our interference and influence. Our corporate influence is shameful and probably led to the formation of Al-Qaeda in Egypt. Interestingly enough Islam promotes a form of capitalism is similar to Catholic social teaching on economics (and of course Distributism).
Thanks, GlitteringEye! I very much resonate with Distributism and localism as an alternative to Empire, although would not want to see these imposed by law. Rather, if I read Belloc and company correctly, such alternatives to empire must spring up organically out of and reflect local and regional cultures that value land, place, and long-term community stability. That is very difficult in this upwardly mobile and cosmopolitan era.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate the link.