by Bradley J. Birzer
I’m at the end of seven weeks of intense traveling. Frankly, I’m tired and more than a bit cranky. But, of course, I brought the travel on myself entirely. For what it’s worth, here are a few observations from my adventures—focused on the events of the last two weeks.
If I ever found myself in a crisis, I would much rather stand next to a member of the Tea Party than to a member of Occupy Whatever.
Tea Party people I met in New Mexico have worked for their money and have pride in themselves and those around them. They love their families and their country—not necessarily for what it is, but for it could be.
The Lucia, located within the Hotel Andaluz, might be one of the finest restaurants in America. Gail made one of the two or three finest meals I’ve ever experienced. Michael, the waiter, brought the meal with dignity and class. Thank you for the best meal I’ve had since visiting Bahn Thai in Seattle over a decade ago.
Brad, I spent a mere week traveling last week. Frankly, you must be much more patient! A handful of "Occupy Whatever" people are even in Richmond. Fortunately I think it's more of a farce than in NYC. Legos are great. So are plastic toy soldiers. (The original interactive toys.) Have fun!
Welcome back, Professor-sahib!
Americans age 20-30 (maybe GOP come to think of it) support Ron Paul by about 30% while the older ones go at 10%. Obviously these are not the Occupy Whatever crowd. But full polls in the UK may not differ from the US and show the vast majority of youth do not expect social-security etc to be available for them in old age: they know they must be self-reliant and that is good. In other words, I think that UK/US youth understand the negatives but maybe not the positives and this sounds like an opportunity. The Occupy Whatver kids, whom I doubt I would like, do seem to harbour an inchoate feeling that the establishment has shafted them, which it has. You will know better (you met them, you are an educator, etc) so are there opportunities afoot? Or are they jetsam and road-kill? Alternately, is their illiterate anti-capitalism a big obstacle, or a potential alliance on the anti-fascist/syndicalist aspects of the unholy alliance between US Govt and big business on which our crowd agrees?
I'd plump for a TV series called Brad Birzer's America, or Birzer On the Road, but you're busy doing too many other needed things. If anyone starts passing the hat to have you cloned, I'll contribute.
Stevefriend, thanks for commenting. So glad to have you back at TIC. I don't think you have the power to write a post that doesn't make me think and smile. Thank you. As to the Occupy forces. I'm no expert–but they strike me as a very frightening, latently fascistic force. These are rich, spoiled kids ticked that they're not more spoiled. I'm sure there might be some good elements within the various groups, but I've not been impressed by them. The Tea Party members are equally angry (both groups are justifiably angry), but their anger seems to be directed toward something good–the elevation of the humane. The Occupy forces–bored in life–just want to tear down. If they build–I'd be frightened to see what the end product is.
Brad, some random thoughts on your random thoughts. First, it is mildly interesting that when Timothy Dwight traveled in New England and New York he was of course on horseback, and thus forced to stop frequently and talk with people, and to look around rather more observantly than today's travelers who go either from airport to airport or down interstate highways. I have pretty much resolved to spend no more time in the air, and time on the interstate (one of the great socialist programs of the 20th century) only to get to baseball games or shopping malls.
Legos are wonderful, but less instructive than blocks, Lincoln Logs, or Erector Sets, the latter having produced most of the engineering geniuses of the 50s. Don't get me wrong, as a carpenter I love the snap-together innovations of contemporary building. But if you don't learn the old ways first, you will never understand the new.
The occupiers are just the grandchildren of the creeps that slimed all over the streets in the 60s and early 70s. The earlier version was more interesting, because it had at least a plausible and passionate rhetoric, and better music. This one is just the slime reflection of the White House that supports it.
Wonderful observation on Winston, the same one Barbara made when she first met him! About Mel Bradford, you and I may have to disagree. As I said elsewhere, he was a giant of a man, both physically and morally. He was also an anti-ideological anti-federalist, a local patriot, and a man who understood how dangerous it is to try and make a conservative ideology out of "equality."
Finally, I want to make the case that the finest burger in America is found at Ray's Tavern in Reading, MI, and the best meals I have ever had are at 34 Wildlife Drive, Hillsdale, MI.
It is true. When I met Winston at a Liberty Fund symposium, I first admired his mind. I discovered very soon thereafter that there is much more to admire, and indeed to love.