This is an important topic and the article gets to the crux of the matter, love versus violence.
The problem is that, for many, they are advocating violence but think that they are advocating justice. And libertarians know that sometimes violence must be employed against aggressors, in order to maintain a peaceful society.
Taking a step back, we know that many of those caught up in partisan politics have come to believe that they are victims of violence committed by the other side. In this article, Brownstein admits that there is truth in this perception.
So the question then becomes how do we end this feud, this cycle of violence, or at the very least , mitigate it so that it doesn't consume our society?
I am reading a powerful book right now called "Forgive for Good". It is written for the ordinary individual who is looking to greatly improve his quality of life by incorporating the author's successful protocol for forgiveness into his mindset and behavior. But the author has also done research demonstrating the successful use of his protocol for Catholics and Protestants who were involved in the Irish civil war.
This approach points to another direction for promoting liberty in this world. We need to become mediators who can help others to renounce their hate and resentment toward those whom they perceive as their enemies. Yes, it is still about promoting love, but it tackles the problem from a different angle.
Thank you. I suspected that you were familiar with Luskin's work!
Yesterday was Yom HaShoah and many have commented that, despite the incessant repetition of our mantra, we have not done a good job of protecting the (current) unpopular minority and thereby assuring "Never again". Perhaps we have failed to embrace Kor's message and need to do so if we are to achieve peace in the future.
It's absolutely true that our primary focus to improve the world must lie within. Someone whose own life is a mess has no chance of improving others' lives, either through force or by example. And even if there were a hundred million Americans with perfect mental health, I doubt they could accomplish anything useful by banding together and brandishing weapons. Still, there is a place for force, when employed entirely defensively. Would-be tyrants often understand nothing else.
Thanks, again, for a thoughtful and constructive column.
Liberty seems to fleeting in our democracy. Let’s hope it’s reversed. On another note: Kamala Harris who is quadruple vaccinated, is ‘asymmetric’ and will take paxlovid a drug for emergency use per FDA. And she said she would never take a Trump vaccine nor therapeutics. What a joke
Barry, I love everything you write but this one... oh this one was so good. It made me cry. Why? Because I have been teaching/preaching this same thing and it feels SO GOOD to be validated. I think people think that "Love" isn't "realistic" or practical. And when we are simmering in a culture that blasts us with beliefs that are the opposite of what we know is True - deep in our core - it takes intention and proactive action (is that repetitive??) to counter the culture. I am going to be sharing this EVERYWHERE. Also going to look up Leonard Read. Thank you again for your big heart, brilliant mind and your way of putting these important ideas into words that make sense in a world that feels increasingly mad.
Apr 28, 2022·edited Apr 28, 2022Liked by Barry Brownstein
I agree and have said for decades that the problems we face in this country--no longer really "America"--come from within and specifically from an infidelity to liberty among its people.
What has caused this? Twisted Marxist indoctrination in schools? Immigrants from countries without a culture and language imbued with the ideals of liberty? The pathological among us in positions of power and influence who simply want more of the same at the expense of individual liberty? The failure of American public edumacation to teach the 𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙨 of liberty and its life and love destroying converse?
This last point is the thing that stuck out for me in this article. I understand the constraints of a single article, but missing for me in this one is any discussion of ethics. The 𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙨 of liberty.
One must act selflessly with love, as Jesus did when he washed the feet of his disciples. He washed them not as God, but as a humble human. A truly loving act.
This is an important topic and the article gets to the crux of the matter, love versus violence.
The problem is that, for many, they are advocating violence but think that they are advocating justice. And libertarians know that sometimes violence must be employed against aggressors, in order to maintain a peaceful society.
Taking a step back, we know that many of those caught up in partisan politics have come to believe that they are victims of violence committed by the other side. In this article, Brownstein admits that there is truth in this perception.
So the question then becomes how do we end this feud, this cycle of violence, or at the very least , mitigate it so that it doesn't consume our society?
I am reading a powerful book right now called "Forgive for Good". It is written for the ordinary individual who is looking to greatly improve his quality of life by incorporating the author's successful protocol for forgiveness into his mindset and behavior. But the author has also done research demonstrating the successful use of his protocol for Catholics and Protestants who were involved in the Irish civil war.
This approach points to another direction for promoting liberty in this world. We need to become mediators who can help others to renounce their hate and resentment toward those whom they perceive as their enemies. Yes, it is still about promoting love, but it tackles the problem from a different angle.
Dave, Thank you for adding your wisdom. I agree, Luskin's book is excellent. I've written several essays with use of his book. Here is one: https://intellectualtakeout.org/2019/07/26/what-holocaust-survivor-eva-kor-taught-about-forgiveness/
Thank you. I suspected that you were familiar with Luskin's work!
Yesterday was Yom HaShoah and many have commented that, despite the incessant repetition of our mantra, we have not done a good job of protecting the (current) unpopular minority and thereby assuring "Never again". Perhaps we have failed to embrace Kor's message and need to do so if we are to achieve peace in the future.
Thank you for sharing Dave. Adding this book to my list of must reads.
It's absolutely true that our primary focus to improve the world must lie within. Someone whose own life is a mess has no chance of improving others' lives, either through force or by example. And even if there were a hundred million Americans with perfect mental health, I doubt they could accomplish anything useful by banding together and brandishing weapons. Still, there is a place for force, when employed entirely defensively. Would-be tyrants often understand nothing else.
Thanks, again, for a thoughtful and constructive column.
JdL, Thank you for adding your insights. Yes, change begins within.
I agree. Choosing Love doesn't imply that agression should not be resisted. It's about a mindset, not behavior.
Liberty seems to fleeting in our democracy. Let’s hope it’s reversed. On another note: Kamala Harris who is quadruple vaccinated, is ‘asymmetric’ and will take paxlovid a drug for emergency use per FDA. And she said she would never take a Trump vaccine nor therapeutics. What a joke
Barry, I love everything you write but this one... oh this one was so good. It made me cry. Why? Because I have been teaching/preaching this same thing and it feels SO GOOD to be validated. I think people think that "Love" isn't "realistic" or practical. And when we are simmering in a culture that blasts us with beliefs that are the opposite of what we know is True - deep in our core - it takes intention and proactive action (is that repetitive??) to counter the culture. I am going to be sharing this EVERYWHERE. Also going to look up Leonard Read. Thank you again for your big heart, brilliant mind and your way of putting these important ideas into words that make sense in a world that feels increasingly mad.
Susan, I am deeply touched by your kind and generous words. Thank you.
Yes, I agree, we must carefully guard where our attention goes.
Leonard Read's collected works are here: https://fee.org/resources/the-collected-works-of-leonard-e-read/
And this essay I wrote about his work, I think you will enjoy: https://fee.org/articles/i-pencil-can-help-you-downsize-your-inner-central-planner/
Thank you Barry!
I agree and have said for decades that the problems we face in this country--no longer really "America"--come from within and specifically from an infidelity to liberty among its people.
What has caused this? Twisted Marxist indoctrination in schools? Immigrants from countries without a culture and language imbued with the ideals of liberty? The pathological among us in positions of power and influence who simply want more of the same at the expense of individual liberty? The failure of American public edumacation to teach the 𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙨 of liberty and its life and love destroying converse?
This last point is the thing that stuck out for me in this article. I understand the constraints of a single article, but missing for me in this one is any discussion of ethics. The 𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙨 of liberty.
One must act selflessly with love, as Jesus did when he washed the feet of his disciples. He washed them not as God, but as a humble human. A truly loving act.