My Favorite Books (Part 1) - A Conflict of Visions by Thomas Sowell

A Conflict of Visions: Ideological Origins of Political Struggle, Thomas Sowell

"Extraordinary on several counts...There is nothing tendentious or one-sided about his argument... He makes his case fairly, lucidly, and persuasively."  The New York Times Book Review

You see things; and you say "Why?" But I dream things that never were; and I say "Why not?"
The Serpent in "Back to Methuselah" by George Bernard Shaw.


Here we have the concise difference between two opposing visions. The constrained and unconstrained visions are the basis for all political conflicts in the West for the last 200 plus years.

Sowell is one of my favorite authors. He was written many books, and in others he does take sides in the argument, but in this his goal is to explain how we have come to the argument, and why it is that almost no matter the subject, the same people end up on opposite sides. When we talk about "justice" or "equality" or "power", we may be using the same words, but with very different internal meanings.

Why do those on the left and right seem to be arguing not against the other but past each other?

Sowell's thesis is that prior to paradigms, world-views, theories or any rationally articulated models there is an underlying vision, defined (quoting Joseph Schumpeter) as a “pre-analytic cognitive act”. Sowell further defines a vision, “It is what we sense or feel before we have constructed any systematic reasoning that could be called a theory, much less deduced any specific consequences as hypotheses to be tested against evidence." A vision, according to Sowell, is our sense of how the world works and of reality and causation.

Visions are a sense of the possibilities of human reason and power to act purposefully to achieve desired ends and are broadly defined by Sowell as Constrained and Unconstrained.

Appreciation of the role of visions in shaping worldviews can help make sense of opposing views for those who disagree and shows us that opposing views are not capriciously chosen or necessarily stemming from ulterior motives, but are internally self-consistent within the framework of the underlying vision.

Sowell discusses this book in a series of interviews here:
(Part 1).
(Part 2)
(Part 3)
(Part 4)
(Part 5)

Supplies Needed For Injured Veterans' Visit - Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets

Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets is hosting its first weekend event for disabled veterans from the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts and their families from May 14 to 16 at Greenwell State Park in Hollywood.

The foundation is looking for volunteers to assist the veterans with kayaking, horseback riding, cookouts and other events. Donations of ready-to-eat foods and other items can be turned in by next Thursday, May 13, in order to prepare the participants' rooms and gift packs prior to their arrival.

Southern Maryland Vacations for Vets, in partnership with the Greenwell Foundation, requires a massive amount of "people power." Volunteers are needed for every aspect of this program – whether you have one hour to give or a hundred.

The Weekends

Each weekend begins on Friday afternoon and ends on Sunday after lunch. Transportation is available from the medical centers to Greenwell State Park and back. During these weekends, service members and their families can participate in activities such as horseback riding, kayaking, hiking, picnicking, fishing, sailing, etc. While activities are offered, the weekend is loosely structured to allow families time to relax and be together in whatever way is most comfortable for them.

Because of Greenwell’s universally accessible facilities there are no limitations on participants with physical disabilities. Accessible equipment, such as golf carts, adaptive fishing poles and all terrain wheelchairs, is available so that everyone can experience the park as independently as possible.

Most of the veterans currently are undergoing treatment for their wounds at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Bethesda Naval Regional Hospital. Call 301-737-8102.

info@greenwellfoundation.org

America, why was I alone?

People were rightly outraged when the show South Park was censored because they tried to poke fun at Mohammed. Comedy Central bowed to Muslim extremists and chose to enforce dhimmitude on themselves, so now I'll refer to the network as Comedhimmi Censored.

Now Arizona has passed a law to protect it's citizens from illegal aliens. Predictably the illegal aliens mount a protest. I went to Washington DC on "May Day" to see the "immigration" protest in Lafayette Park just across the street from the White House. I didn't dare counter-protest because I've seen what happens when just one person dares to stand up for the rule of law. (The near riot in Phoenix just after the SB1070 bill was signed.) Not that I'm a wimp, I volunteered and went to work in Iraq to help protect our soldiers from roadside bombs.

In a nation of 300 million, not one voice was heard in our nation's capitol in favor of the rule of law. I didn't see a single person stand up for Arizona, Governor Jan Brewer, the sheriff that was shot just the day before by drug smugglers, the Constitution, or the citizens of this country. I was alone and justifiably worried for my well being. (I was asking people to sign a bogus petition that was against illegal immigration.)

I spoke to many of the protesters. Not one said they were worried about being arrested or harassed as an illegal alien. Nor were they concerned that ICE would round up any foreign nationals. How is it that a foreign national feels secure complaining about the laws of this nation in front of the White House, but a citizen that supports the rule of law must remain camouflaged?

Many complained when President Obama bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia. A chorus of, "America doesn't bow to anyone!" went up from lots of folks. Well, as it turns out we bow very well. We bow to the politically correct crowd of multiculturalists every time they complain about the USA. We don't stand up to these people that demand open borders and the ruin of our society. How can our citizens win a fight they refuse to show up for? Forfeit is not a winning plan.

America, why was I alone? Where were you when I needed you?

MAY DAY March Washington DC

I went to the Washington DC May Day March in Lafayette Square across from the White House today. Since I'm not suicidal I didn't do a counter-protest. As it turns out I would have been the ONLY counter-protester there. DC can be risky enough, but counter-protesting upset leftists is not something to do all alone.


Wearing an old tie-die Grateful Dead bear shirt to better camouflage myself in addition to skipping my morning shower, I armed myself with a camera, blackberry and some petitions.

Apoyo el 1994 la Medalla Presidencial de la Libertad receptor César Chávez, creador de la famosa consigna, "Sí se puede", y su política de inmigración justa.

I support the 1994 Presidential Medal Of Freedom recipient Cesar Chavez, originator of the famous slogan, "Yes, We Can!", and his just immigration policy.

In between taking pictures of protesters and their signs, I also chatted with a few people. Once in a while I would slip to the margins and ask some person to sign my petition. (I saw nobody else petitioning.) Everyone was more than happy to sign, and I got maybe two dozen people to sign. Nobody seemed to know that Mr. Chavez was extremely anti-illegal immigration! (I had a good laugh to myself every time someone signed without even asking what his stance on the issue was!)

All the while people on stage were giving speeches, but as I don't speak much Spanish, I didn't understand most of it. Jan Brewer, the Arizona governor was vilified repeatedly. The usual lefty standards were seen and hurled, "racist", "bigot", "fascist" as well as "apartheid". Calls for reform, justice, and open borders were rampant.

There were a lot of SEIU (Service Employees International Union) purple t-shirted people about, and lots seemed to be leaders of the rally, as well as Casa De Maryland, an "immigrants rights" group.

Heaps of heated rhetoric, both on and off stage were in abundance, but the crowd was very peaceful. Everyone I spoke with was polite, calm, and passionate. As with most liberal protests, there were others wanting to be heard and seen as well. Socialist Party, PETA, National Lawyers Guild Legal Observers, and the ever radical United Chicken Concerns among others.

At one point another person was signing my petition and a purple t-shirted SEIU guy grabbed the papers and ran off with them. I figure I lost about two dozen names and emails but, didn't bother chasing or getting the cops. Somebody had finally realized there was a "traitor" in their midst. I moved quickly across the street, closer to the White House, and the Park Police.

The grand finale was a symbolic "Sit Down" in front of the White House. Protesters asked to be arrested, and the Park Police obliged. Grand theater indeed, and a complete farcical one at that. As with any really good demonstration, the media outnumbered those being arrested by about ten to one.

While the crowd was about 1/3 to 1/2 the size of the Tax Day Tea Party two weeks earlier, they left a lot more trash. For a Green leaning crowd, I guess picking up the trash is a job even, "undocumented immigrants" don't want to do.

DC illegal immigrant MAY DAY rally Saturday

Going to the Washington DC illegal immigrant rally Saturday. Plan to see how many I get get to sign a petition: "I support the 1994 Presidential Medal Of Freedom recipient Cesar Chavez, originator of the famous slogan, "Yes, We Can!", and his just immigration policy." Of course I won't mention that his policy was AGAINST ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION! I'll take pix of signs, and those that sign the petition.

Why I Went To Iraq

My wife and I had a young man move into our home for a time. We had known him since his early teenage years. The young man was Matt Wallace, and he continued to live with us for many months due to family problems. He reminded myself of a younger and much dumber me. He began working, paying his bills, all the things a young man should do. He got his act together. We encouraged him to join the military for the educational benefits and opportunities that had helped both Yvette and myself. Matt joined the Army, and while on patrol in Baghdad in July of 2006, he was hit by an IED (Improvised Explosive Device), or a roadside bomb. He was burned over 99% of his body, yet was able to move the body of his Sergeant, who was driving the Bradly Fighting Vehicle, return the burned out vehicle to Camp, walk in and give his SITREP, (Situation Report). He then passed out and never recovered consciousness. Matt is now interred at Arlington National Cemetery. I went to do counter IED work so that other families don't have to visit Arlington.

Steny Hoyer Says He Regrets Un-American Slur

Yesterday The House Majority Leader finally acknowledged his slur against those who protest the health care bill. He says he, "regrets" the slur of accusing those opposed to the bill as "un-American" but he did not apologize for it.

Merriam-Webster defines regret as, "to be sorry for". If a man breaks into my house and tries to cause harm to my family I may have to shoot him. I might regret the fact. I might feel sorry that I had to take that course of action. I would certainly not apologize or in any way make amends for protecting my family. Steny says he regrets the un-American comment, but in no way does he feel he ought to apologize for smearing people opposed to his socialist-statist agenda.

When I served my country in the military I was called a patriot. When I made the choice to go to Iraq to protect our soldiers from roadside bombs I was called a patriot. But according to Steny Hoyer, when I oppose his agenda for America I'm un-American.

I swore to uphold and defend the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic. My service in the military and since was against foreign enemies. Steny Hoyer is a domestic enemy of the Constitution, and my oath to uphold it means that I must oppose him and his kind!