conservative

The Conservatives: Ideas and Personalities Throughout American History
$35.00
If you're interested in reading a history of American conservatism that comes neither to panegyrize nor pathologize, then this may be the book for you. Allitt's fair, dispassionate account of various strains of conservative thought throughout American intellectual history keeps on the high road throughout, touching upon present-day debates when necessary but focusing on ideas first and foremost. Allitt identifies the following as characteristic of American conservatism:

1. an attitude to social and political change that looks for support to the ideas, beliefs, and habits of the past and puts more faith in the lessons of history than in the abstractions of political philosophy;
2. a suspicion of democracy and equality, more specifically, the confusion between the notion of men as being legally and politically equal and being equal when it comes to virtues, abilities and talents;
3. the view that civilization is fragile and easily disrupted and we need virtuous citizens to keep our civilization whole;
4. the desire for a highly educated elite as guardians of civilization.

That's as elegant a summary of basic conservative ideas as I've ever read. Of course, being in academia, I know that we've got a "highly educated elite" in place; the problem is that too many of them are on the other side.

Liberals are especially encouraged to read this book. The first step to good debate is knowing and respecting where your opponent gets his ideas from.

Speedo Aquatic Xtra Life Lycra Conservative Ultraback Swimsuit Swimsuit, Black, 16
$62.00

Having purchased several Speedo Conservative suits in the past I expected much the same. However, this suit does run a bit smaller that I expected so had to tug it on a bit.

Too new to know how long it will last in the chlorinated water, but my other suits are not aquatic extra life and they lasted close to a year with at least weekly use. I am at the pool 7 times in 5 days for work/play for 30 minutes to 2 hours at a time. I have a different suit for each visit which is why my suits are generally worn only once or twice a week.

I do love the styling on the conservative Speedos.Speedo Aquatic Xtra Life Lycra Moderate Ultraback Swimsuit

The Conservative Mind: From Burke to Eliot
$29.99
First, regarding the Kindle edition: On the plus side, it is well formatted, with almost no typos and a linked table of contents (including links to the chapter sub-parts). Also a positive is that this is the last edition before Kirk's death. On the minus side, the source notes are not linked, and two or three of the substantive notes appear to be cut off in midstream (e.g., there's one in the discussion of Cardinal Newman that says, in effect, "here are some other relevant observations:" with nothing after the colon).

Regarding the book itself: It's easy to see why "The Conservative Mind" caused a stir when it first came out and why it's become a classic. To borrow Kirk's own term, it's an "extended essay" in intellectual history, dealing with a particular thread of thought running through Anglo-American history from the late eighteenth century to the 1980s, when the last edition appeared. By examining the works of numerous English and American (and one French) thinkers, some well known and some forgotten, Kirk offers a worldview significantly different from modern liberal conventional wisdom. I really can't improve upon what some of the other reviewers have said, particular Bibliophile (Dec. 14, 2008).

A great achievement. At a minimum, anyone with an interest in modern politics should read this book.

The Conservative's Handbook: Defining the Right Position on Issues from A to Z
$19.95
I had hoped for some enlightenment, some real ideas, some explanations. Lao Tzu: know your enemy.

Not quite. Little anecdotes, with full-blown, explicit attacks on liberalism. Not even statements of conservative dogma - which is what I really expected and wanted for some education. Just more of what liberals think, why it's wrong, and what they will do to the poor, uninformed populace. Don't forget how those liberals will bring down our proud country.

Between the lines interpretation of the Constitution relative to religion. I always love that. Radio guys have the inside track on the ability to be a Constitutional scholar. To prove how much Jefferson wanted religion injected into governance, he went to church once after responding to a request from some citizens. No better proof than that!(?) Between-the-lines interpretation (to prove a point) of what the folks who were around when the Constitution was written is always entertaining.

Chapter title: "Liberalism is an idea doomed to failure". I guess that's an ideology. Kind of like describing the darkness by just stating that it's just the absence of light - then describing all the different kinds of light - fire, the sun, bulbs. Can conservatives bring their own actual ideas out to be examined? I don't think so. I don't think they can exist without an "enemy" to rail against. There's definitely a vacuum there.

My favorite is the smack-down on PC speech. This has obviously gone too far, and is also ruining our way of life. The author gives one of his illustrative anecdotes about how PC speech backfires on the simpleton liberals. In short, a woman working with Obama, prior to being elected, was asked to resign because of some comments. You can make an argument, without being there, either way about what she did. That's always easy from the outside. But what was cool, was the author's point of his little retelling seemed to be this: a person who might have been expected to believe in the whole PC speech thing was "caught" not acting that way - and asked to leave. This is painted as really bad - expecting folks to act in a certain way, and when they don't, call them on it! Expectations given, but not attained equals consequences. Mr. Valentine seems to think that's a problem with liberals, and ironic. So, my inference would be: as a conservative, if I was expected to live up to some expectation and didn't - no harm, no foul - those are only suggestions for behavior - live them as you wish. A good blueprint for hypocrisy.

If you're looking for something with some substantial arguments for conservatism, go elsewhere. Maybe this doesn't exist. Maybe it IS just a vacuum. Disappointing, pretzel logic, and a foreword by the liar Sean Hannity! Glad I bought it used, I wouldn't want the author of this tripe to get any of my hard-earned cash!