After some years, some thoughts

I should have waited another couple of weeks to make it an even three years from my last post on this blog. 

Anyway. I created “That Hideous Strength” because I needed a medium through which to express some of my passions more tangibly. Words are a powerful tool for organizing thoughts to be reviewed and responded to. Periodically, I rant about things to friends (and unfortunate acquaintances), but verbal diatribe are disorganized and ephemeral. It’s actually pretty tough to really exchange ideas in such a haphazard way. 

I’ve been passionate about politics for at least the past six years or so, but it’s only been recently that my failure to record some of my thoughts has become painful enough to motivate a resurrection of this abandoned blog.

Four years ago, I looked around and despaired as I perceived a broad apathy. It was to this that I ascribed the title. Now, however, I feel somewhat differently. I think there’s still plenty of apathy, but now the dominant sentiments seem to be either frustrated resignation (politics are horrible), or ignorant passion (close-minded antagonism). Of both, I have been and am by turns guilty. But they too are hideous strengths, just as dangerous and destructive as apathy. 

Passion is great, but let it be informed. Let it be arrived at by reason and great efforts toward understanding. Let it be charitable. I won’t promise not to rage and rant, and I expect to be called out when I’m being intolerant, close-minded or boorish. It’s OK, I have thick skin. But I will promise to do my best to present my arguments, opinions and ideas coherently, and with as much understanding as I can bring to the table. And I promise to speak as charitably as I know how. I won’t attack people, mostly (Harry Reid is one obvious exception). 

That said, here are the topics you’ll likely see me cover in near-future posts, some of which will receive treatment, I’m sure, in multiple posts:

• The philosophical foundations of the left
• The philosophical foundations of the right
• Gay marriage
• Welfare
• Financial policies
• Founding doctrines (how our government got started)
• Communities
• Families
• Capitalism, Socialism, Communism...Darwinism(!)
• Politicians and pundits I hate (there are plenty)
• Politicians and pundits I love (there are some)
• Lying
• What “Republic” means
• What “Democracy” means
• Racism
• Religion
• Et cetera!

Pretty much none of those things, I realize, are specific. The posts themselves will be, sometimes. BUT! I really want to know what kinds of things really fire YOU up. What kinds of conversations would you like to see me start? I can keep soap boxing forever on my own (if you’ve met me, you know this totally), but it’ll be more interesting, maybe, to respond to some specific topical interest. So if you’ve got one, leave it in the comments. 

As an end to this re-introduction of my political blog, let me pose this question: What one thing, in your opinion, poses the greatest threat to the future of the United States? I suppose that would be as good of a place as any to start, so I’ll answer my own question in my next post. 

Until then.