South DaCola

Editorial Cartoonist from South Dakota

Conservatives

1st Amendment Conservatives Elections North Korea Republicans Trump

The Man in the Cave

l3wis 2Comments

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, from The Republic, describes prisoners chained in a cave since birth, seeing only shadows of puppets cast on a wall, mistaking these shadows for ultimate reality. One prisoner escapes, sees the real world, understands the sun (representing the Form of the Good) as the source of all truth, and realizes shadows are mere copies; he then returns to enlighten the others, but is met with disbelief and hostility, symbolizing the philosopher’s difficult role in leading humanity from ignorance (the cave) to true knowledge (the Forms). 

This farmer explains the Echo Chamber in political talk radio, mostly right-wing, by bringing up Plato’s story about the man in the cave, he really goes into detail, you can watch more of his videos here. I call him the Phamily Pharm Philosopher.

Strangely enough this video about the isolation of North Korea is like an entire country living in a cave. The most astonishing part is after a foreign volunteer surgeon repairs the vision of 1,000 patients in 10 days (cataract surgery) and they don’t thank him, they get on their knees and praise a photo of their leader. Reminded me of a MAGA rally.

I think if we continue down the path we are on in the United States, we will all be living in caves eventually.

Conservatives

David Brooks on Modern Conservatism

l3wis 3Comments

While I think Conservatism is backwards and hurting our nation and a DEAD political movement, Brooks has another take on it. While I disagree with him on conservative principles, he is very measured. The irony of his short speech is it could have easily been made by a liberal. When he quoted James Baldwin at the end that is all I needed to know about a guy who struggles with his political leanings;

This debate between Baldwin and Buckley is worth the watch, Baldwin destroys Buckley and Conservatism, it is so brilliant, I often tell fellow progressives if you are feeling down about your political leanings just watch this debate, you will feeling better in a matter of minutes.

One of the more interesting moments was when Baldwin quoted JFK saying we will have a black president in 40 years (2005). Pretty crazy that Obama was inaugurated in 2008, only 3 years after the prediction. I think Baldwin said it best, ‘I guess a black man as president is not good enough until 40 years from now.’

Conservatives Donita Trump Noem Kristi Noem

Most South Dakotans are NOT Social Conservatives

l3wis 4Comments

During Noem’s latest blab fest interview she did not disagree with reporter Austin Goss when he said she was a social conservative. Where it got interesting was when he made the claim (she did not) that most South Dakotans are social conservatives like her.

While it may be true that a large percentage is, when it comes to the ballot box and polls the numbers speak another picture.

In raw numbers registered voters who are;

• Republican, 48%

• Democrat, 27%

• Independent, 24%

• Other, 1%

But in a poll I came across the other day (sorry, still trying to find it again) it said that South Dakotans that consider themselves;

• Conservative, right leaning, 46%

• Progressive/liberal, left leaning, 41%

• Moderate, middle, 13%

This of course blows up the notion that ‘most’ South Dakotans are socially conservative or lean right. Also, this polling has gradually become more moderate to left over the past few years (I have looked back to 2014).

You can also look at initiatives. South Dakotans voted twice that they are pro-choice. They have also supported raising the minimum wage and recently rec and medical marijuana.

While I do agree there is a fringe base that support Noem on her Highway to Whackadoodle it is quite a stretch to think that South Dakotans who voted to keep abortion legal and marijuana legalization are ‘social conservatives’ 🙂

While her supporters may be the loudest in the room, they get very quiet when the votes are counted.

Conservatives

Fighting off a boycott and scrambling for a headliner, the biggest annual conservative gathering takes place this week. Six things to watch at CPAC (H/T – Helga)

l3wis 12Comments

The right descends on Washington this week, as thousands of activists pour into the nation’s capital to attend the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. It’s a heady time—with Republicans having seized control of the House, closed the gap with Democrats in the Senate, and now gearing up for a chance to reclaim the White House in 2012. But all is not well at the old-line American Conservative Union, which throws the annual party.

The organization is embroiled in an embezzlement scandal. Fellow travelers are boycotting the whole affair because CPAC’s big tent allowed a gay Republican group inside. With one day left before kickoff, no headliner had been chosen. And longtime leader David Keene is said to be leaving the group after the conference.

So amid the turmoil, what’s a political junkie to look for at this year’s three-day orgy of ideas? An endless stream of 2012 presidential wannabes will preen for adoring fans and plentiful cameras. Donald Rumsfeld will be hailed as a conquering hero. A host of new conservative leaders will be welcomed to the club. And if that weren’t enough to whet your appetite, Pat Boone will be on hand, too!

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