Yesterday, while looking for short takes (and finding the first one), I was (as I often am) reminded of something written by C. S. Lewis. I was pretty sure the quote in question was in “Screwtape proposes a toast,” so I looked to see whether that might be available on the ‘Net, and indeed it is (in pertinent part), for free, with some emphasis added, at the link on the title. With the caveat that it’s not always easy to read things that come from Opposie Land, I can’t recommend it highly enough. It is more accurate now than it has ever been/. The phrase “scary good” comes to mind. (It’s also not that long. It’s not a book like “The Screwtape Letters,” but just an essay.)
Cartoon –
Short Takes –
Letters from an American – March 10, 2022
Quote – Freedom House documents that for sixteen years, global freedom has declined. Authoritarians are undermining basic liberties, abusing power, and violating human rights, and their growing global influence is shifting global incentives toward autocratic governments and away from democracy, “jeopardizing the consensus that democracy is the only viable path to prosperity and security, while encouraging more authoritarian approaches to governance.” Over the past year, 60 countries became less free, while only 25 improved.
Click through for the full letter. In her “notes” she includes a tweet from Anne Applebaum which is accurate as far as it goes, but vastly underestimates the antiquity of the practice, which can be traced back to ancient Greese and is almpst certainly older.
Daily Kos (David Neiwert) – Outcome of Michigan militiamen’s trial in plot to kidnap governor could have broad consequences
Quote – [I]f the Wolverine Watchmen’s legal defense is able to succeed by establishing in court that the methods used to build the Michigan case are unsound, it could have far-reaching consequences for the government’s ability to investigate these groups—as well as to prosecute other related cases, such as the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection prosecutions. It also could feed the conspiracist claims by Tucker Carlson and others that the FBI manipulated those rioters into performing criminal acts. Most militia groups have kept a lower profile since the Michigan kidnapping bust in October 2020 and the post-Jan. 6 arrests, according to Rachel Goldwasser, a research analyst with the Southern Poverty Law Center. The outcome of the Michigan trial, she said, may “indicate whether they stay in their foxholes or come out as a force in public again.”
Click through for details.
Women’s History – Wikipedia – Edith Cavell
Quote – She is celebrated for saving the lives of soldiers from both sides without discrimination and for helping some 200 Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium during the First World War, for which she was arrested. She was accused of treason, found guilty by a court-martial and sentenced to death. Despite international pressure for mercy, she was shot by a German firing squad. Her execution received worldwide condemnation and extensive press coverage.
Click through for bio. The night before her execution, she said “Patriotism is not enough. I must have no hatred or bitterness towards anyone.” Though she may well have spoken afterwards, those are generally considered to be her last words. It’s a thought which is not popular with governments … but it transcends governments and is definitely worth aspiring to.
Food For Thought:
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