28
Teh Kristol Method
Subject folds the aluminum foil into a trap, or fashions it into, as the slang has a it, a ‘chrome taco’; the point being to construct something that can safely hold the drug (pinkish-yellow, translucent, looks like a piece of aquarium gravel) while it is vaporized. Subject places the drug inside the foil.
A flame is placed under the foil. Through an ink-pen’s casing, a straw, or preferably a glass pipette, subject’s inhalation of resultant vapors is facilitated. Process yields:
Sympathy toward McCarthyism:
To approach the issue of communism as merely a constitutional matter, [Irving Kristol] said, was wrong. It was wrong because that response failed to take account of “the nature of the communist movement.” Communism, he urged, was not simply an opinion that one held regarding history or politics, such that that opinion contributed to meaningful intellectual discourse. “It is obvious to almost everyone by now,” Kristol wrote, “that Communism…is a fanatical conspiracy, whose basic ideas are a set of paranoid illusions, and whose ‘opinions’ are strategems.” Kristol said that he did not wish to encourage a wave of public hysteria about, nor a vindictive reaction against, those who might at one time have been members of or sympathizers with the movement. But Kristol did make one statement of which people in his circle took notice and which has been a scourge against him since its utterance. Kristol was speaking about Joseph McCarthy and about the liberals who denounced him: “There is one thing that the American people know about Senator McCarthy,” Kristol said. “He, like them, is unequivocally anti-Communist. About the spokesmen for American liberalism, they feel they know no such thing.”
Renouncing socialism, subject embraces identity politics/tribalism, becomes enthusiastic purveyor of opiates to the masses (without, pointedly, himself partaking of such opiates):
Kristol identified a spiritual vacuum that cut across the whole public culture of the United States. He was a writer who could cry out for censorship of pornography and who could praise Victorian culture for its deference to womanhood. What Kristol sorely lamented was the loss of republican virtue in Western life, and behind that loss, he believed, was the decline of religion. The decline did not constitute for Kristol a merely curious cultural shift. It lay at the base of every issue that liberal and conservative ideologies confronted. The loss of faith, Kristol wrote, was the “most important political fact of the last hundred years.” In fact, he said, the death of God “haunts bourgeois society.” The decay of religious values, he believed, had left the moral and spiritual stock of Western democracies depleted.
[...]
Kristol’s own interest in religion seems to date back to the postwar period. His occasional autobiographical recollections do not mention a religious interest in his early years. To this extent, Kristol rather typified the perfervid secularism of the New York intellectuals, among whom surrogates for religious faith abounded…The cosmopolitanism that broke them out of parochial ways became a self-conscious identity among the New Yorkers. “We thought of literature and our literary profession,” William Phillips wrote, “not as Jews, but as heirs to the Western tradition. Certainly, this was the feeling of all of us who considered ourselves to be socialists.”
[......But] Kristol himself certainly changed his orientation toward Judaism, and in 1949 he involved himself in a study group…that convened to discuss the Misneh Torah of Maimonides….The writings of Leo Strauss were also a special focus of the group, and Kristol ranked Strauss along with Lionel Trilling as the greatest intellectual influence on his own development. As for Judaism, Kristol said that he and other like-minded Jews were “groping to establish rapport with the Jewish tradition, standing at the synagogue door, ‘heart in, head out.’”
[....]Kristol called himself “a believer” but did not participate in Jewish religious life “as much as I should.” Furthermore, he generally valued religion for its social effects, for the public discipline and stability it promoted, more than for the cleansing of the individual soul. “People need religion,” he said. “It’s a vehicle for a moral tradition. A crucial role. Nothing can take its place.” …By the 1980s, furthermore, Kristol doubted that any way out of the…malaise could be effected apart from an authentic religious recovery.
[c.f.]
Subject exhales. Wingnutification complete. Fetch the Cheetos.
[Quotes from J. David Hoeveler, Jr.'s venerable Watch on the Right: Conservative Intellectuals in the Reagan Era.]
Further studies will be published at a future date.
islmfaoscist said,
January 28, 2008 at 2:37
“People need religion,” he said.
Guess who’s sharing pipe-cooties with Irving.
Lesly said,
January 28, 2008 at 2:38
So are former liberals with a guilt trip the worst Machiavellians on earth? =\ This bunch has that in common, regretting their support of Communism.
mikey said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:00
We’re witnessing the “perfect storm” of authoritarian movements, theocratic politics, autocratic governments, increasingly violent protests from the disenfranchised and fundamentalists, lethal military responses and brutal repression.
So much of the gross manipulation is based on fundamentalist religion.
Thing is, its a one-way trip. No way back from this. How are we going to get back to liberal democracy and peaceful coexistence, when we are going to slide to a violent period of tribal hatred?
They all set out to gain a temporary advantage, some space to impose their beliefs on the nearby tribes, but the technology of communications and the lethality of weaponry have left them in a position where, by merely acting upon their hatred, they drive the entire society ever closer to an edge from which only survival can be hoped for, and perhaps survival is the worst outcome…
mikey
robert green said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:02
well, this is all no news to those brought up by secular NY Jews of a certain age. Kristol was a part of a circle that included anti-commie cold war libs like my grandma (who was hatchet-person for elliott cohen, publisher of “Commentary”–the house organ of such types). she once axed a piece by hannah arendt because it lacked a certain fidelity to anti-communist tropes (whether in and of itself or because of hannah’s background i don’t know, though somehow they remained friends).
but it was when grandma hired first Kristol, and then Norman Podhoretz to run commentary that the true stripes of “cold war anti-communist liberals who were once young lefties” came out. and those stripes (facilitated by NP’s “black man mugged me so it’s cool to be a racist” essay), when they came out, were harsh.
they putsched (forgive me for a subtle godwin’s law break) my grandma out of her job, and took commentary to the right, or to the straussian version thereof. and the rest is history, unfortunately. and i would hear conversations about all these guys growing up around the dinner table. little did i know that what seemed like a bunch of assholes howling into the wilderness were in fact a bunch of committed sociopaths who would stop at nothing to destroy their (internal) enemies and LEAD the people (e.g. everyone not on the west side of manhattan or at the u. of chicago/stanford) into…catastrophe.
noen said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:08
I’m looking forward to Norman Podhoretz’s trial for treason for selling state atomic secretes to Pakistan. Ok, not exactly holding my breathe but I can dream.
ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:14
You and me both, noen.
It’s not against the law to dream, yet.
Lesley said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:26
Krystol Meth, the opiate of chundergunches. Unfortunately it can be smoked without any apparent consequence to the addicts.
The Return of The Attack of Arky Cthulhusexual said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:43
Point of correction: Neo/theo/so-cons snort meth off of male hookers.
Bastion Booger said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:46
Hey liberals I’m coming out with a book called “My life as a Conservative blogger”. It should be out this September. It chronichles my life as a Rightwing blogger on sites such as the Free Republic and my life as a Conservative troll on lefty sites such as Sadly No. I hope you all check it out.
Kip W said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:56
Speaking of Tail Gunner Joe, here’s a video showing his softer side, as Frank Keefe reads from a poem by Carrie Jacobs-Bond (known as the writer of the 1980s sentimental song “I Love You Truly”), and Joe gets all misty-like. I think this is what Ann Coulter looks at when she wants to soil a hanky.
—
BB, yeah, we’ll be sure and check that out. After you’re gummed by an incontinent Pomeranian for an hour or so, you just can’t wait to go read more about the experience. I’m writing it down now…
Kip W said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:57
1980s? Should read 1890s. We’ll edit that for the final draft of history.
Liberal Fascist said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:58
For once, Bastion, you said something funny.
Blue Buddha said,
January 28, 2008 at 4:01
1890s… Didn’t they call those the Gay Nineties?
Lesley said,
January 28, 2008 at 4:25
Kristol… was a writer who could…praise Victorian culture for its deference to womanhood.
ah, if we wimmens could only relive the days of lung crushing whale-boned corsets. we were so free then.
DocAmazing said,
January 28, 2008 at 4:25
Tribadism? What’s wrong with…oh. Never mind.
joeyess said,
January 28, 2008 at 4:38
(((((((Hey liberals I’m coming out with a book called “My life as a Conservative blogger”. It should be out this September. It chronichles my life as a Rightwing blogger on sites such as the Free Republic and my life as a Conservative troll on lefty sites such as Sadly No. I hope you all check it out.
Bastion Booger said,
January 28, 2008 at 3:46))))))))
And I’m quite certain that it will be a study of those topics that has never been explored in such detail or with such care.
gbear said,
January 28, 2008 at 4:51
That picture of Kristol is the first one I’ve ever seen where he has any kind of physical presence at all. Otherwise he’s the kind of person you wouldn’t even expect to have a shadow. I wish him many more pies.
Dr Zen said,
January 28, 2008 at 5:02
Mikey says: “Thing is, its a one-way trip. No way back from this. How are we going to get back to liberal democracy and peaceful coexistence, when we are going to slide to a violent period of tribal hatred?”
Learn that we are at war, and win.
ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said,
January 28, 2008 at 5:18
Kristol Blue Persuasion.
Lesley said,
January 28, 2008 at 5:21
In a real fight the neocons would be snivelling cowards. How many of them even signed up for the wars they promote? Not a fucking one. They can’t even handle a contrary opinion on their stupid blogs. You have to register and adhere to rules that more or less demand that you agree with them or risk being banned. How brave can they be when mere words send them screaming to the ban button?
Repairing the damage caused by Bush&Co. will take time, but the right person can do a fuck of a lot of good if he or she has the gonads and doesn’t cater to these neocons assholes.
anon said,
January 28, 2008 at 6:12
OT but, lordy, that Jonah v. McArdle, um, discussion is some crack. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll fall for each other and sadlyno can host the wedding.
Some Guy said,
January 28, 2008 at 6:27
anon said,
January 28, 2008 at 6:12
OT but, lordy, that Jonah v. McArdle, um, discussion is some crack. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll fall for each other and sadlyno can host the wedding.
I’ll be pissed if I don’t get an invite.
Righteous Bubba said,
January 28, 2008 at 6:35
I never tire of the pie photos of Bill Kristol.
sxwarren said,
January 28, 2008 at 6:46
“… only survival can be hoped for, and perhaps survival is the worst outcome…”
Such cheerfulness and optimism! The Mayans said we’ve got until at least 2012. ‘Course, they were noted optimists, as well. And their math coulda been slightly off.
So, let’s see . . . first you fold the foil like so . . . .
Patkin said,
January 28, 2008 at 6:48
Y’know, if Communism is a fanatical conspiracy, I’m doing a pretty shit job of being a fanatic about it. I’m not very good about hiding it as a root to many of my political and ethical beliefs, yet at the same time I’m not a member of any of the parties because I’m not really a joiner (irony.)
MzNicky said,
January 28, 2008 at 6:53
ittdgy: Wow. That was refreshing. I always kinda had a thing for Tommy James. Thanks.
redoubt said,
January 28, 2008 at 7:06
Kip W: Irrelevant data point–I went to a school named after Carrie Jacobs Bond. 71st and Racine, Chicago.
Anyway: Agree with everyone who believes that neocons are good at leading people down the garden path but suddenly develop an inability to actually face the dog. Especially those who went to U of Chicago to screw up world economics (I’ll call them the Hyde Park Hiders).
RandomObserver said,
January 28, 2008 at 7:28
Religion is so awesome and wonderful and important. For other people.
FlipYrWhig said,
January 28, 2008 at 7:38
“Kristol Blooper Suasion” in the caption is sublime. I’m like Kier Dullea in 2001: A Space Odyssey. “My God, it’s full of stars.”
Smut Clyde said,
January 28, 2008 at 8:03
Kristol… was a writer who could…praise Victorian culture for its deference to womanhood.
Considering the demand for child prostitutes in late-Victorian culture, and the fuss about raising the age of consent from 12 to 13, I suspect that he was using “deference to womanhood” as a term of art.
blog said,
January 28, 2008 at 8:28
“Religion is so awesome and wonderful and important. For other people.”
Mammon for me, Moses and Christ for thee.
Lesley said,
January 28, 2008 at 8:31
found through dependablerenegade.com: irony doesn’t get better than this
Smut Clyde said,
January 28, 2008 at 8:47
To add to Lesley’s comment – the fact that Bush has been identifying himself with a painting of a fugitive horse-thief was noted back in in May 2006. See also
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2008/1/26/18535/0286
Smut Clyde said,
January 28, 2008 at 8:49
Whaddafuck? First link should be
http://www.talk2action.org/story/2006/5/12/7393/57216
Smut Clyde said,
January 28, 2008 at 9:11
Bonus ironification — Fox News interviewer remarks on the resemblance between Bush and a painting of a fleeing horse-thief.
HUME: The first thing I saw and others who were part of this team here saw when we came in, that guy looks like a Bush. Don’t you think?
BUSH: Yeah, kind of, I guess, you know.
HUME: He looks a little bit like your dad, and looks a little bit like you.
Lesley said,
January 28, 2008 at 9:20
I see a remake of Deadwood, starring George Bush as an idiot.
Smut Clyde said,
January 28, 2008 at 9:36
I see a remake of Deadwood, starring George Bush as an idiot.
“And so you just threw everything together? . . . Mathews, a posse is something you have to organize.”
For bonus bonus ironification, here’s David Gergen from Harvard Business School extracting Lessons in Leadership:
Bush’s personal identification with the painting, which now hangs in the Oval Office, reveals a good deal about his sense of himself as a political leader — who he thinks he is, the role he plays…
Percyprune said,
January 28, 2008 at 9:41
Well said. We should take it as read that the era that gave us the adjective ‘Dickensian’ was not kind to women.
Lesley said,
January 28, 2008 at 10:17
Gergen: Bush is a top-down, no-nonsense, decisive, macho leader who sets his eye on the far horizon and doesn’t “go wobbly” getting there. He is crisp and can be confrontational, expecting others to follow or get out of the way.
Incoherent slapstick halfwits with a history of cocaine addiction, alcoholism and failed business attempts are undisciplined, indecisive, incompetent and unreliable. Bush may be confrontational, but he’s never crisp.
Monkay said,
January 28, 2008 at 11:07
Dr. Zen: Learn that we are at war, and win.
Well, yes . . . that is, if by war, you mean conflict, and by conflict, you mean blah blah blah cultural blah blah; what I mean is, W says “we are at war with terror” and he’s incorrect/wrong/a jackass fratboy. Let us not use the word “war” too loosely; actual armed conflict amongst US citizens has happened before, and if it happens now it will only benefit the fearmongers who want to diminish civil liberties.
noen said,
January 28, 2008 at 11:22
Politics is just war by other means.
atheist said,
January 28, 2008 at 16:44
Politics is just war by other means.
Maybe. Maybe it is actually necessary. Maybe we have no choice but to admit that they hate us and act accordingly.
I would be very careful how we take that on, however. Right Wingers have been having success with their “Culture War” for years, but I think it has influenced them to become much more angry, bitter, and divorced from reality. More irrational than before.
atheist said,
January 28, 2008 at 16:48
And, what Monkay said. I want to examine what that would ‘we are at war’ really mean. You don’t take on a war lightly, even when you are being attacked. At least, I don’t.
g said,
January 28, 2008 at 17:13
Bush is a top-down, no-nonsense, decisive, macho leader who sets his eye on the far horizon and doesn’t “go wobbly” getting there. He is crisp and can be confrontational, expecting others to follow or get out of the way.
I’m sure he was that way all the way to bankruptcy, in each of his failed businesses.
PhysioProf said,
January 28, 2008 at 20:46
Fixed.
Smiling Mortician said,
January 28, 2008 at 21:49
Well said.
Smut Clyde said,
January 28, 2008 at 22:58
undisciplined, indecisive, incompetent and unreliable
You make that sound like a bad thing.
But yes, I do hope that someone is following David Gergen around, confronting him with his bizarre description of “presidenting the MBA way”, and asking him “What do you think of your big-picture, control-and-command leader now?”
Sharon said,
January 29, 2008 at 0:18
A flame is placed under the foil. Through an ink-pen’s casing, a straw, or preferably a glass pipette, subject’s inhalation of resultant vapors is facilitated. Process yields:
You so owe me a new flat panel monitor
Michael Harrington said,
January 29, 2008 at 5:41
In the long, tired tradition of liberal/left intellectuals oozing to the right for various reasons, there are some people (Max Eastman, Arthur Koestler…maybe even Hitchens) who were real losses. Norman and Irving were not among this group.
Go back and read their writing when they were ostensibly liberals, and it’s plain. They have both always been utterly worthless.
actor212 said,
January 29, 2008 at 22:35
“Kristol Blooper Suasion” in the caption is sublime.
Sung by Tommy James and the Fondles.
steve said,
January 30, 2008 at 20:44
I see. Well, it’s important to remember that Strauss argued that religion was the necessary lie needed to keep the populace from asking too many questions of the their leaders, and the philosophers (ie. Kristol) who advised them. The flaw in Strauss’ — and thus Kristol’s — plan is the belief that religious faith is homogeneous or that it can be tempered by the King, or his philosophers. Religion, for Strauss and Kristol, and Pipes, et al., is not really about faith or belief, but about social control — as if any of us should be shocked by this.