[ganesha]

This diatribe has a marxist overtone to it in that the author considers it a sin to participate in American popular culture or any aspect of life which is non-political. While the things the author gripes about are right wing boilerplate such as Mexicans, gays, feminists, etc his view of capitalist society would be shared by either the far left or the Islamic fundamentalists. If Archie Bunker became a communist or alternatively, joined the Taliban, he might say something like this.

Politics is not a god to be worshipped above all other things and participation in politics should be an informed choice, not a knee jerk reaction. Drinking beer, watching sports, going to the movies, going to work or school, and using a computer are not materialistic crimes but the normal daily existence of most men and women. Reason magazine, a few months ago had a cover story with an arab drinking Pepsi arguing that western popular culture liberates Islam and the World.

[Sir Gawain]

Good reply.

[mconder]

While I agree the author goes too far, having serious issue with balance; I do think he makes a good point that the average person is not concerned with the gift of self governance purchased by the blood of so many truely selfless men. Indeed, you may say that self-government is a natural right granted to us by devine providence, yet I can think of not one instance that this condition was realized without the virtue nessicary to obtain it.

[Twodees]

Devvy Kidd isn't a marxist. If you have never heard of her, you might want to read some of her work.

[Polnick]

I think he means that men do these distractions instead of working politically to change the direction that conservatives are agreed the country is headed. I don't think he meant we should give up all our enjoyments. At least I hope he's not saying that.