Comments on: Making capitalists

By: Rhymes With Right

Rhymes With Right — Mon, 19 May 2008 10:35:31 +0000

Watcher’s Council Results — And An Announcement…

The winning entries in the Watcher’s Council vote for this week are “Evolution” = “Growth” by Soccer Dad, and Numb by Kaboom: A Soldier’s War Journal. Here is your link to the full results of the vote:VotesCouncil link2 1/3″Evolution…

By: The Colossus of Rhodey

The Colossus of Rhodey — Fri, 16 May 2008 20:32:22 +0000

Watcher’s Council results…

And now… the winning entries in the Watcher’s Council vote for this week are “Evolution” = “Growth” by Soccer Dad, and Numb by Kaboom: A Soldier’s War Journal. Here are the full tallies of all votes cast:VotesCouncil link2 1/3…

By: Watcher of Weasels

Watcher of Weasels — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:27:12 +0000

The Council Has Spoken!…

First off… any spambots reading this should immediately go here, here, here, and here. Die spambots, die! And now… the winning entries in the Watcher’s Council vote for this week are “Evolution” = “Growth” by Socc…

By: benning

benning — Wed, 14 May 2008 10:36:41 +0000

I missed this, BW, on its first appearance. Enjoyed it. Yes, folks today would laugh at the story, the message, the optimism that Alger promoted. But he was right, then, and the formula works today. Too bad so many would prefer to be handed everything.

By: Soccer Dad

Soccer Dad — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:43:03 +0000

Submitted 05/14/08…

The Watcher’s Council submissions have been posted. Making Capitalists- Bookworm Room introduces us to Horatio Alger and notes the divergence of his art from his life. The Audacity of Newsweek - Wolf Howling takes a list of charges against opponents o…

By: Watcher of Weasels

Watcher of Weasels — Wed, 14 May 2008 04:44:41 +0000

Submitted for Your Approval…

First off… any spambots reading this should immediately go here, here, here, and here. Die spambots, die! And now… here are all the links submitted by members of the Watcher’s Council for this week’s vote. Council li…

By: Mike Devx

Mike Devx — Tue, 13 May 2008 12:16:01 +0000

Busy work days, and I’m in the middle of a very enjoyable book. I did miss this one.
I too don’t have much to add at times.

One thing I’ve noticed is that when I was growing up in the 60’s, those things that have long been seen as American virtues and strengths were still in effect. The culture was still that of “American can-do” and optimism and spirit, and these Alger qualities were transmitted through that culture.

We KNEW of Horatio Alger though we didn’t read him. That is the sign of a very stable culture chock full of great qualities that had persisted for many decades.

In the thirty years since then, I have the feeling that we have changed so much as to become nearly unrecognizable. I bet, if you asked anyone under the age of 20 about Horatio Alger, you would get only a blank stare. Since Alger’s stories appeared in the mid 1800’s, this is not merely a generation-centered idea not being passed on (ie Truman defeats Dewey) but it signifies a VAST cultural shift.

Similarly kids don’t play outside anymore. Does anyone know if there are kids anywhere who actually physically explore anything anymore?

By: Mrs. Happy Housewife

Mrs. Happy Housewife — Tue, 13 May 2008 11:32:01 +0000

I enjoyed the post very much, but often absorb what I read and only comment if I feel I have something beneficial to add.

By: Ymarsakar

Ymarsakar — Tue, 13 May 2008 05:17:12 +0000

When I make a comment under a post here, it is usually because of other people’s comments. They are not a sign I liked or disliked the post itself.

As for Alger Hiss, I missed your post on him. This is often due to focusing on comments via RSS rather than reading your blog from the main view.

I comment on your political posts primarily because I have something, positive or negative, to say about the topic. Usually I won’t comment on any slice of life post, previous or current, which also includes Neo-Neocon as well. When she wrote a piece on poetry, even though I would read it, I wouldn’t comment on it even though I had just got done with a 10 comment per day session on a previous argument thread.