Comments on: The Curse of Optimism, The Blessings of Pessimism http://larison.org/2006/08/28/the-curse-of-optimism-the-blessings-of-pessimism/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:10:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 by: Daniel Larison http://larison.org/2006/08/28/the-curse-of-optimism-the-blessings-of-pessimism/#comment-4484 Mon, 28 Aug 2006 20:49:41 +0000 http://larison.org/2006/08/28/the-curse-of-optimism-the-blessings-of-pessimism/#comment-4484 Of course, you're quite right that the real America was not built on "the values of reason and progress." No real nation is based on such things, even if, like Brazil, they adopt Positivist slogans as their national motto. Only propagandists or people educated by propagandists talk like that anyway. A nation comes into existence, as Mr. Buchanan said and as Michael and I have reiterated, through "blood, soil, history and heroes." There are probably some other important things that usually go into the making of nations--religion being chief among them--that are left out of this list, but it is a beginning. Mr. Cohen's claim about America is a ridiculous one, but I thought I would draw out all the reasons why being a nation built on those values would not be a particularly happy or fortunate nation. Of course, you’re quite right that the real America was not built on “the values of reason and progress.” No real nation is based on such things, even if, like Brazil, they adopt Positivist slogans as their national motto. Only propagandists or people educated by propagandists talk like that anyway. A nation comes into existence, as Mr. Buchanan said and as Michael and I have reiterated, through “blood, soil, history and heroes.” There are probably some other important things that usually go into the making of nations–religion being chief among them–that are left out of this list, but it is a beginning.

Mr. Cohen’s claim about America is a ridiculous one, but I thought I would draw out all the reasons why being a nation built on those values would not be a particularly happy or fortunate nation.

]]> by: A.K.B. Cusack http://larison.org/2006/08/28/the-curse-of-optimism-the-blessings-of-pessimism/#comment-4483 Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:26:55 +0000 http://larison.org/2006/08/28/the-curse-of-optimism-the-blessings-of-pessimism/#comment-4483 What I should've said is that New York was built on good old Dutch greed, African sweat, British culture, and American speculation, with a gentle sprinkling of the grace of God. What I should’ve said is that New York was built on good old Dutch greed, African sweat, British culture, and American speculation, with a gentle sprinkling of the grace of God.

]]> by: A.K.B. Cusack http://larison.org/2006/08/28/the-curse-of-optimism-the-blessings-of-pessimism/#comment-4482 Mon, 28 Aug 2006 11:22:39 +0000 http://larison.org/2006/08/28/the-curse-of-optimism-the-blessings-of-pessimism/#comment-4482 Built on reason and progress, my foot! New York was built on good old Dutch greed, African sweat, British culture, and American speculation. I can't speak for other parts of the States, but <i>my</i> land didn't have a damned thing to do with reason and progress, I'm happy to report. Built on reason and progress, my foot! New York was built on good old Dutch greed, African sweat, British culture, and American speculation. I can’t speak for other parts of the States, but my land didn’t have a damned thing to do with reason and progress, I’m happy to report.

]]>