Eye on the Watcher’s Council

As you may know the members of the Watcher’s Council each nominate one of his or her own posts and one non-Council post for consideration by the whole Council. The complete list of this week’s Council nominations is here.

The Glittering Eye, “They Should Get Out More”

In my submission for this week I consider the factual and conceptual problems with a New York Times editorial on the dangers of a trade war with China.

The Colossus of Rhodey, “Desegregation Consternation”

Hube recounts the history of desegregation in a particular Delaware district.  IMO bussing for racial balancing is a terribly imperfect tool for solving a real problem created by historic segregation, reliance for local school revenue on local property taxes, and a general lack of willingness to pay for educating “their” children (whoever “they” may be).  It runs headlong into the intrinsic conflicts among the contradictory objectives of today’s public schools as a means of educating children, a method of employing adults, and a platform for consciousness-raising and radicalization.

Eternity Road, “The Beast Among Us”

Francis Porretto conjoins the Duke Lacrosse team incident and the Don Imus kerfuffle into a critique of what he calls “victimism”.  I haven’t commented on either of these matters but I view them largely as examples of, again, conscious-raising and radicalization, this time with the added flourish of classic Cultural Revolution Maoism:  you know you’re guilty you just don’t know why because the standards are being set elsewhere, depend more on who you are than what you do, and are constantly changing.

Bpokworm Room, “Recognizing That There is Another Side to the Coin”

Bookworm uses a comparison of Ann Coulter’s and Susan Estrich’s most recent books as a jumping off point for a reflection on political ideologies as belief systems.  My problem with both socialism and libertarianism (two such belief systems) is that neither is moored to a credible model of human behavior.   That was the genius of our political system as originally conceived:  it was based on a realistic understanding of human behavior.

Done With Mirrors, “Happy Netted Nose”

Callimachus, too, posts on the Imus matter and in quite an aggrieved manner.  Here he reaches the very heart of things:

This is not a double standard. This is a standard that splatters over the map of modern American culture like a rotten tomato. It is a standard that can be jiggered at will, to suit the target. And never forget who holds its strings.

Callimachus, this stuff isn’t about justice or compassion—it’s about power.

Soccer Dad, “Hero and Villain”

Soccer Dad reflects on the heroism of Liviu Librescu, a Virginia Tech professor who saved his students’ lives at the cost of his own.

Cheat Seeking Missiles, “Media At Its Worst On Display At Virginia Tech”

Laer posts on the media feeding frenzy that’s descended Virginia Tech and the urge to fix blame.

The Education Wonks, “Principal Pornstar Meets Ms. Horndog the Teacher”

EdWonk posts on a remarkable story I heard about when it was first reported on hereabouts:  a local principal and teacher captured on video having sexual relations in the principal’s office.  Who planted the camera?  EdWonk is right:  it probably wasn’t the work of friends.

Rhymes With Right, “Hokie Horror”

Greg posts on the Virginia Tech murders, honing in on the fact that Virginia Tech was a “gun-free zone”.

Joshuapundit, “When Sorry Is Really…’Sorry’”

Freedom Fighter posts critically on today’s hollow public apologies.  I think the lack of stigma is fundamental to the shallowness of these demonstrations of self-flagellation but I think it’s also worth mentioning that in my tradition real contrition requires not only an expression of remorse but also a demonstrable commitment to reform and penance which goes beyond a mere redressing of whatever wrong you’ve performed.

Big Lizards, “Fighting Back Was Not An Option Part 2”

I continue to think, along with some of those I respect most in the blogosphere, that exploiting the horror in Blackburg to political advantage is, at the very least, unseemly.  However, Dafydd ab Hugh has transcended that in a very thoughtful essay on the matter to which I will only add that courage, like mercy, charity, and every other virtue, is a habit that one trains like a muscle and cultivates by practicing, day by day.

Right Wing Nut House, “Confession: I Hate Democracy”

Rick Moran, inspired in equal measure, no doubt, by Matt Stoller’s pride in paying his taxes and the passing of the due date for filing one’s return, shows he isn’t quite as thrilled as Matt may be.

Well, I’ve decided which posts I’ll vote for.  Which would get your votes?