I have to admit I’m not at home in a country where the bottom line seems to me to be the almighty dollar and it’s all about keeping our way of life in the world through whatever means necessary. I am troubled over the health care links here. The Republicans on their own won’t do a thing. They believe in trickle down. I do agree with Roger Cohen on “The Narcissus Society” (first link, #7 in news).
Good review over at Christianity Today, Scot, on Brian McLaren’s new book.

Good response to the Brooks piece here:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/02/why_david_brooks_should_suppor.html

Thanks for the links, Scot!

While I didn’t agree with everything written in the essay on American Exceptionalism, it was great to read something that was cogently argued and reflected some rigorous scholarship. When it comes to politics in the popular venue today, there is too little of that from both sides. I think we really need to shift the health care debate from questioning people’s motives to asking what is the best way to achieve true health care reform. Many of us who do not like the current legislation are greatly concerned about the millions of Americans who are uninsured. As a pastor I deal with the difficulties of the uninsured in my ministry. But many of us simply believe that the current legislation is terrible and will, over time, put us in an even worse position than we are now. And while I agree with Ted that the Republicans will do nothing on their own in reference to health care reform, it must not be forgotten that the Democrats are the ones who have achieved all these back door sweetheart deals with big labor and big business and created this nightmare without the Republicans help.
And, by the way, Scot… I know you have heard this before, but I really despise “capcha.”

Damon Linker has written a response to the Lowry/Ponnuru piece:
http://www.tnr.com/blog/damon-linker/taking-exception

Yes, Allan and Scot, and everyone. I wish both sides would get to work and get beyond politics. As for me, I’d rather be in system where people live with less so that all can have what is needed. Of course all kinds of considerations are involved in that, none of us want people living off the system. And medical costs have to be addressed. But for insurance companies to make medical decisions (and at the risk of people’s lives; I’ve seen that!) rather than we the people deciding through the system, or something better by which medical help when needed is affordable and accessible to all–maybe all agree on that. As for pork barrel, what else in new in Washington? Isn’t this the way both sides have passed major bills? Not right, but that’s politics in Washington.

Scot, that piece on “Single-mindedness”is really good. Thanks for mentioning it here.

Scot,
Of course, you are one solid, steady blogger, too! And your occasional kind mentions here of my little blog never fail to create nice big peaks on my WordPress page-views-per-day graph. It’s always gratifying for us writer/teacher/nerd types to be heard out there in the vastness of cyberspace.
I still hope to get over to North Park some day and importune you for a brief chat over coffee. Or, if you’re ever visiting the Twin Cities and have a free hour, the coffee/beer/lunch is definitely on me.
Peace,
Chris Armstrong

I always look forward to your meanderings!
Thanks Scot!