| September 4th, 2006 |
| The Value of Freedom; Meritocracy | 11:23 am |
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While reading the August 21st issue of TIME magazine I found this little nugget of truism: "The secondary concern of all terror plots has always been the secondary impact of attacks — getting democracies and free societies so frenzied to prevent new attacks that we start eroding and violating the very freedoms and liberties that the authors of terrorism themselves want to destroy." — Roland Jacquard (French terrorist expert)
That's just the type of sentiment that even those who readily sacrifice liberty for security have been claiming as part of our mantra to defeat 'the evil doers'. We are not supposed to let the actions of terrorists change us yet they have in obvious and dramatic ways haven't they? Of course I know, this is all just a bunch of liberal balderdash according to Bush-loving Republicans, afterall the guy quoted above is French. {Give me freedom fries or give me death}
Actually, the article in TIME made a lot of good points, definitely worth the read. Even Michael Chertoff, Secretary of Homeland Security made sense for once saying, "We can't just radically shift our strategy every time there's an event ... the key is balance and constantly looking at the entire landscape." Of course I'm left wanting to say, 'Well shit, Mike, where was your common-sense approach to preparedness back in August of 2005?' Unlike terrorist attacks that come quickly where you may least expect them in the most unexpected ways, Katrina was not only an eventuality but it was anticipated, the damn thing gave us several days notice it was on it's way...
Back to the main issue though, I'm becoming increasingly disgusted by how readily we will limit the freedoms which supposedly make us so different and unique from other countries. We talk a good bit about the triumph of freedom and goodness over evil and oppression yet we constantly place more and more restrictions and conditions on the very liberties that has made us the great nation we are, and which millions have died to cultivate & protect.
As mad as I am about our leaders using scare tactics, political tricks, and the power of their offices to curtail our liberties {among other things} I am far more disgusted at the masses of idiots in this country who applaud it, casting their votes for it, and shouting down those who oppose it. Furthermore, considering the level of apathy that remains even from seemingly intelligent people who realize things are going terribly wrong, I guess we really don't deserve a whole lot of freedom. Its value is lost to us.
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In the same issue of TIME magazine {August 21}, there was an article about the kids of VIP's getting special preference to Ivy League universities. One example given by Daniel Golden, author of The Price of Admission: How America's Ruling Class Buys Its Way into Elite Colleges—and Who Gets Left Outside The Gates, was of Senate majority leader Bill Frist's sons. The Frist family contributed $25 million to Princeton. Conveniently the Frist boys both got into Princeton in spite of not making it to the top 20% of their prep schools. How do you get into an Ivy League school with mediocre grades? It makes one wonder. The eldest Frist son even graduated Princeton without academic honors. Tsk, Tsk.
While I agree with the premise they are suggesting here, that Bill Frist — who is opposed to affirmative action — is a hypocrite since he is taking advantage of a sort of affirmative action for rich folks. But I think it also establishes those making the argument in the article as hypocrites as well since both of them are criticizing Frist because his kids didn't get in on merit, yet they seem to be endorsing affirmative action for minorities themselves.
I think the author of the book had it right when he said, "universities are nonprofits whose mission should be to identify the best and brightest students." That is precisely why I oppose affirmative action, because whether poor kids or minorities need a hand up or not, merit should be the paramount requirement here. I'm not quite sure just how much the author really believes in meritocracy, but unlike Bill Frist and affirmative action advocates I believe in it completely not selectively.Feeling like:  accomplished |
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