Posted on 09/05/2005 5:14:07 PM PDT by saquin
The predators, of course, were self-sufficient, didn't wait for someone to take care of them, and knew exactly what to do. That their application of these principles was anti-social, illegal and despicable is another story.
I think it's far too facile to claim that the problem is that the welfare state stifles individualism. It's true as far as it goes, and I believe that was the original point of public schooling according to Dewey et al.: the docile citizen.
The problem is that the welfare state doesn't succeed in stifling individualism; it just ends up forcing it into devious channels. Many people on welfare (corporate as well as individual) and many people not on welfare officially (I count politicians here) are extremely resourceful and energetic in gaming the system.
Regarding the even more anti-social and violent results, R. Emmett Tyrrell had a nice piece in his book Public Nuisances years ago. I no longer have my copy, so this is from memory and incomplete. He explains -- half in jest, whole in earnest -- the advantages of a life of crime: you make your own hours, no training requirements, no government certification or registration, no taxes or regulation . . . Well, you can make your own list.
If I were on the jury I'd sentence him to go to jail for one minute.
Great article!
I would venture to guess that the looting women cops were hired to fill an Affirmative Action quota, and not for any talent or ability they might have had to be police officers. When the opportunity came, they reverted to what they were before they got the job.
Catastrophe brings out of you what was in you to begin with; like a jar full of unseen contents, when catastrophe turns you over the world finds out what was in you all along.
If those cops are your mothers, I hope you have been transported to a stable home in another state where you can learn that this behaviour is not only illegal, it is abnormal. The knowledge could save your life.
bttt. Once again, very well said.
It's just beyond me that you wouldn't want to help out in a situation like that, rather than contribute to the problem.
Great as always. Thanks.
Someone needs to recruit that boy. He'd make a hell of a contribution to our military and teach some people a thing or two!!
Plenty of folks did something. A co-worker is playing host to fifty of his closest relatives who left the New Orleans area well ahead of the storm. Right now they have apartments and are getting jobs. We're kickin' in for them, giving them the stuff they couldn't bring away with 'em, like bedding, cookware, etc.
There may be a 'culture of passivity" among some folks from New Orleans, but not these people. The problem with New Orleans is that good folks are mostly gone and making headway elsewhere. The bad news is that a lot of 'em won't be comin' back.
</i>Funny how NOLA is making noises about going after a kid that rescued a lot of people by commandeering a bus, yet consider looters to be 'victims'.</i>
needs to be repeated.
Thanks! Another great one by Steyn!
BTTT
Indict Jabbor Gibson?
They oughta give the young man a friggin' medal!
He showed more courage than the mayor & governor combined!!!
Steyn....a man after my own heart who says what it is!
Govt dependency turns people into slaves.
Slaves always depend on Massa to do everything, including save their lives.
Tragic. How many lives were lost due to the Mayor's incompetence? He sure is good at blaming others though. Listening to him talk one would think he was just a bystander who volunteered to help!
Me too!!!!!
New Orleans is a party town in the middle of a welfare swamp and, like many parties, it doesn't look so good when someone puts the lights up.
Steyn is right on as usual.
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