I’ve had occasion to do some reading over the Holidays. In the midst of that, I’ve revisited The Conservative Mind by Russell Kirk. If you do not own it, I suggest you acquire a copy. Why? Well, this on the matter of “rights.’
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Russell Kirk
Talk About Having No Idea What A Conservative Is… (Updated Again & Bumped)
John B. Heroux is reported to be a resident of Bedford, New Hampshire, and a chronic contributor to the Union Leader Editorial page (if Google can be trusted), but he has absolutely no idea what a conservative is. In his recent “Your Turn” contribution to the public discourse (Union Leader) he starts with this:
The first order of business should be to take the party back from the conservatives. Republicans are the minority party, and the party’s success depends on appealing to independent voters and conservative Democrats. The radical Tea Party and the Rush Limbaugh/Ann Coulter faction do not appeal to these voters.
That’s all well and good as opinion–to which he is of course entitled–except that as he proceeds to storm his way down the laundry list of “consevatives” he blames for all that seems to ail him, he fails to name anyone who has actually behaved like a Conservative.
Notable Quotes: Russell Kirk – John Randolph
Law will change, indeed, with the times; but arbitrary intervention in the process, rude revision upon abstract concepts a la French taste, is a short and nasty way to social caducity. When a people begin to think that they can improve society infinitely by incessant alteration of positive law, nothing remains settled; every right, every … Read more
Noteable Quote: Russell Kirk
All Values are not the same, nor all impulses, nor all men. A Natural gradation teaches men to hold some sentiments dear and others cheap. Leveling radicalism endeavors to put all emotions and sensations on the same level of mediocrity, and so to erase the moral imagination which sets men apart from beasts. -Russell Kirk … Read more
Notable Quote – Russell Kirk
If men are discharged of reverence for ancient usage, they will treat this world, almost certainly, as if it were their private property, to be consumed for their sensual gratification; thus they will destroy in their lust for enjoyment the property of future generations, of their own contemporaries, and indeed their very own capital.
The Liberal Darkness
On faith, or a lack of, in the enduring order of life. "Habit and Custom may be the wisdom of unlettered men, but they come from the sound ancient heart of humanity. Even the wisest of mankind cannot live by reason alone; pure arrogant reason, denying the claims of prejudice (which commonly are also … Read more