Jonah Goldberg's new book: "Suicide of the West"

So, Jonah Goldberg has gotten religion and is prepared to tell partisan hacks and naked ideologues how to be moderate, listen and seek solutions together? If so, good for him.

But, first, I hope he confronts his own role in the rise of mean spiritedness and personalizing differences of opinion.

I remember Goldberg (and his mother) from the Clinton Years, where they were part of a right-wing cottage industry that made money from bashing non-right-wing people, writing screeds/books, inventing conspiracies; and otherwise being ugly human beings.

I was going to order Goldberg's book after I heard him on Morning Joe. He impressed (or duped?) me into thinking he has grown up and matured beyond those years of riling up animosity between the parties and their members. Looking at the title of his last book on Amazon (2008), he seems to have not let go of his monetizing divisiveness even ten years after Clinton left office.

Maybe in the ten years since his last book, he has evolved. But, what I don't know - and what he didn't say - is if he accepts some responsibility for the state of divisiveness today; and what he has or will do to make amends for those years of stoking the kind of bile that poisoned the well; and has brought us to the sad state of hardcore divisions and paralyzed government we have today?

Can Republicans be a Little Less Whiny?

Heard a White House representative today decrying the slow pace of considering Trump's nominees for various posts because of "obstructionist" Democrats. Never mind that Republicans control the White House and both chambers of Congress. Sounds like passing the buck/blame to me.

Anyway, this is what I really want to say about this BS:

It is so laughable coming from a party that stood for nothing but obstructionism, conspiracy theories, birther-ism and outright hate towards Obama for 6+ years. Obama wasn't happy, but he took it like a professional. His ego wasn't so fragile that he felt the need to reciprocate or respond.

Contrast that with snowflake Republicans who can't take it when the shoe is on the other foot. As is often the case, loudmouth bullies can dish it out, but aren't so great at taking it themselves. Sad. At the very least, can Republicans be a little less whiny and a little more professional?

As to Republicans whining about Democrats putting up roadblocks to Trump's nominees, cry me a river. They did the same thing with Obama, with the peak of their obstructionist ways per the refusal to even consider Neil Gorsuch for the Supreme Court.

As far as putting "party before country," that is again something Republicans are masters of. The very reason they continue to sit by silently as Trump attacks 242 years of institutions, a free press, the rule of law, the justice system, decency, and decorum is because they don't want to lose the election in November by pissing off Trump. In other words, their own careers and the success of the party is more important than standing up for American values and institutions.

As for Republicans using patriotism as a blunt instrument, this is nothing new. "Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel." And, if nothing else, Republicans are scoundrels.

The Inverse Relationship between Ignorance and Confidence

The very definition of ignorance: "You don't know what you don't know."

It should be obvious. But, unfortunately it is not. In fact, it seems to be glorified and promoted as if it were a badge of honor. Except, it is medieval and antiquated and unsuited for the 21st century.

Only education and experience can inform people about what they don't know. Education is also humbling because the vast universe of human knowledge unfolds before you and you become awed and humbled by how little you actually know.

Cock-sure people are merely those who don't know better. The doubters are those who have learned enough to realize how little they know.

"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt." --Bertrand Russell