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Bush's Dangerous Liaisons »
Posted by: deathray 2 years, 1 month agoThough 18th-century France may seem impossibly distant to contemporary Americans, future historians examining Mr. Bush's presidency within the longer sweep of political and intellectual history may find the French Revolution useful in understanding his curious brand of 21st- century conservatism.
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deathray
Hm...summarizing a life...Investment banker, sailor, unintentional gourmet cook. Ex US Naval officer, also Foreign Service. Split my time between NYC and Miami Beach ...
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Comments: 279
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deathray
Oct. 30, 2007, 7:18 p.m.I don't want to ruin the reading of the op ed for anyone, since it demonstrates certian congruencies between the War on Terror and certain aspects of the French Revolution; it does have a bit of a surprise ending.
I think you'll enjoy this.
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humemacdonald
Oct. 30, 2007, 7:24 p.m.Thanks Deathray, a timely history refresher. I know I have mentioned it before but Alexis De Tocqueville's writings would also be a great addition to the reading list for those interested in viewing contemporary events in a larger historical context.
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Poulenc
Oct. 30, 2007, 7:49 p.m.There's nothing as distressing to those who would control the hearts and minds of others than the tacit dissent of alternative belief. An old story, but drawing historical parallels is always to the point.
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dunkirk
Oct. 30, 2007, 8:02 p.m.Well Bush definetly has the "Let them eat Cake" for the poor down pat.
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RedstateLib
Oct. 30, 2007, 8:08 p.m.How chilling in it's familiarity! History repeating itself. I love the part about France being angry with the U.S. anybody who says there is no simularities must be eating too many "freedom fries".
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Amazing1
Oct. 30, 2007, 8:19 p.m.I sincerely wish that the Congress would start impeachment proceedings. I don't see any way that this can keep going the way it is. Eventually, critical mass will be reached and there will be some ugly consequences. People in the streets with pitchforks and hoe handles. Or today, with golf clubs and baseball bats.
I see no leader on the horizon. But when there is a need, I am sure that one will arise.
My fondest wish is that the entire administration and Congress as well, would actually READ the Constitution and understand the founding fathers who pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor for this nation. Sh.it, I doubt they comprehend the concept of sacred honor.
Impeachment NOW.
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icono1
Oct. 30, 2007, 8:36 p.m.Chilling to the core.
Is it "that what goes around comes around" is now playing on and within the American body politic.
I liked the rallying phrase "Freedom ain't free": French fries anyone.
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flyonthewallzz
Oct. 30, 2007, 8:44 p.m.It was the best of times it was the worst of times.
The cask of wine broke and poured down the street like blood.
The dandies looked with scorn as common folk on their hands and knees lapped the nectar from the mud in the gutter.
Sorry not a very accurate quote from Dickens "Tale of two Cities"
I often think of the French revolution and the parallel reality we live in now.
Sorry I could not remember the lies I told to the NYT to access their site.
I should not speak without reading the story.
Forgive me.
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natashas
Oct. 30, 2007, 9:08 p.m.Thank you for the insight. I would have never had the chance to read this article had you not told me about it. I think people use politics to achieve fortune and fame without a goal in mind. Most politicians like to hear themselves speak. In Bush's case, he liked to play with his G.I. Joe's.
I believe people today have forgotten what it is to be honest and put differences aside to practice justice and make peace in the best interest for the people in this County setting an example for the world.
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canadianrancher57
Oct. 30, 2007, 9:15 p.m.HIstory does repeat itself but what I wonder is would the people in United States be willing to stand up and fight. At the time of the French revolution the world was not quite as civilized as today, to many young people who are caught up in their own world freedom is the last of their worries. My biggest concern is that there will not be an organized fight against the corruption that rules the nation. At times when I talk to vetrans from the second world war they are upset at how our country has changed and wonder why no one has resisted the change, it seem to few of us care today, and those who do are getting older and if it comes to actual revolution we won't last long.
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not2needy
Oct. 30, 2007, 9:40 p.m.The parallels were amazing! If that was the blueprint used to implement our "war on terror", it had to be Rove's or Cheney's idea, W just doesn't have that much gray matter!
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getreal1
Oct. 30, 2007, 10 p.m.DeathRay This is history repeating itself only all over the world. The Tale of Two cities, has become The Tale of Two Worlds. It will be a bitter day for peace and Liberty if We The People should have to drag The Treasonous elected out publicly and They do not think that this can be done. I might could see some valor in Bush and his administration if he and his administration would just step down.
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koranagirl
Oct. 30, 2007, 10:03 p.m.For a great opera on the terror of the French Revolution, see Les Dialogues De Les Carmelites. In this very dramatic story, 16 innocent nuns are accused by the State of terrorism, that is, they will not renounce their vows of charity and service to the poor, and for that they are hung at the gallows.
Great opera. The most I've ever seen where 16 die at the end. Real tear jerker and Poulenc's music is hauntingly beautiful. You can get it on DVD.
Interesting thing about this opera is it entertainingly tells of the horrors of the French Revolution where innocent nuns, monks and Priests were put to death for only serving the poor and distributing communion. The state felt that religion was the oppressor of the masses and had to be eradicated, even if that meant violence and death, without indictments or trials. No compassion. No god, no hope. The constructors of the French Revolution destroyed society, created mass poverty and starvation throughout the land.
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koranagirl
Oct. 30, 2007, 10:09 p.m.Then they installed themselves as dictators and fascists for a long period of time.
But in today's story the masses get one type of religion, with one set of "morals" and everyone else is threatened with being unpatriotic. They even call their dismantling of the people's rights the "Patriot Act" and allow graft and corruption to flourish under the guise of the Patriot Act where no money grubbing corporations can be indicted or prosecuted for theft. The politician's friends get the money, we get the shaft and can't even say anything or we're "unpatriotic." Brilliant.
Ah, history really does revisit itself, now doesn't it?
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Francisca
Oct. 30, 2007, 10:57 p.m.Thank you Deathray, for having chosen this subject ( so ambivalent ). Never forget how Napoleon has ended his life at Sainte-Hélène...
Winston Churchill said " Democracy is a bad system but it remains the less bad system..."
Everybody must VOTE!
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jimdoze
Oct. 30, 2007, 11:22 p.m.One early summer day, with a friend, we lay on our backs in a green field looking at the sky. After a time, I nudged her and said, "look there... there's an elephant."
"No no." she said, "that's a cumulonimbus cloud." She was a meteorology student.
Keep in mind that France, at that time had no democratic institutions... none... zero. Someone may hurl the words "unpatriotic" at another... and that other may hurl back "zioncon neocon fascist gang of thugs" back. But, we all still get to go to the polls. We have a court system and a legislative system, as well as a very robust economic system.
Take heart folks. You are a long, long way in so many ways from the aftermath of the French Revolution. As Francisca said above, VOTE!
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BravoSierra
Oct. 30, 2007, 11:36 p.m.I complement all of you for demonstrating some of the most edcuated references and knowledge I've seen here at one time.
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stephen-johnson
Oct. 30, 2007, 11:54 p.m."The United States, France's "sister republic," refused to enter the war on France's side. It was an infuriating show of ingratitude, as the French saw it, coming from a fledgling nation they had magnanimously saved from foreign occupation in a previous war."
And they've hated us ever since.
Let them eat cake! ;-)
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