A daily dose of philosophical food for your noodle!		 NoodleFood : RSS Feed | via E-mail | Recent Comments | Archives
NoodleCast : M4A via iTunes (MP3) | via Feed Reader | via E-mail
Diana Hsieh : Rationally Selfish | PhiloFiles | Explore Atlas Shrugged
OList Mailing Lists | FIRM | FRO | Secular Government

 Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Hsieh LTE in Christian Science Monitor

By Paul Hsieh @ 12:01 AM

The December 17, 2008 Christian Science Monitor featured an article on the internal debate within the Republican Party entitled, "Young Republicans seek a new kind of party".

I sent them the following LTE in response, which they published in the December 22, 2008 issue:
GOP's 'social conservatism' alienates young Republicans

In regard to the Dec. 17 article, "Young Republicans seek a new kind of party": I voted Republican in 1996, 2000, and 2004, but not in 2008, because I was finally fed up with the ever-increasing influence of the religious right on the Republican Party – especially on issues such as abortion, stem-cell research, and gay marriage.

If the GOP returned to affirming individual rights, limited government, and fiscal responsibility, then I would be glad to support it again.

But as long as they support the toxic "social conservative" agenda of the religious right, then they will continue to alienate many young and independent voters and lose elections. And deservedly so.

Paul Hsieh
Sedalia, Colo.

Labels: , ,

Share |
   E-mail Paul Hsieh     PermaLink ()    Comments (New Page)
  Subscribe to NoodleFood Blog Posts via Feed Reader   via E-mail
Subscribe to NoodleCast Podcasts M4A via iTunes (MP3)   via Feed Reader   via E-mail

 Comments

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 8:24:44 mst
Comment ID: #1
Name: Thomas Shoebotham
E-mail: celloshoe(at)yahoo.com

Not exactly to the point of this post, but:

Great letter in the Wall Street Journal yesterday! What I most appreciated was the transformation from more practical issues, such as costs, to a greater principle, individual rights.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 11:51:07 mst
Comment ID: #2
Name: Keith Norris
E-mail: asharpaxe(at)gmail.com
URL: http://theorytopractice.wordpress.com/

Spot-on, Paul. Although the following phrase has been beaten like a rented mule, it is still applies, nonetheless -- I didn't leave the Republican party, the R' party left me.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 1:36:28 mst
Comment ID: #3
Name: Rory Hodgson
E-mail: cowboybebop(at)ntlworld.com

This is something that's always made me curious. I have no idea what the Christian Science Monitor is, but I hear Objectivists, Libertarians and Conservatives alike refer to it in a not too negative light. Which is strange, for obvious reasons. Is it just not what it sounds like or something?

Wednesday, December 24, 2008 at 9:12:52 mst
Comment ID: #4
Name: Paul Hsieh
E-mail: paul(at)geekpress(dot)com
URL: http://www.geekpress.com

The CSM is run by the Christian Science Publishing Society, but it's essentially a high-quality secular paper. It emphasizes international reporting, but has generally excellent domestic coverage as well. Most of the pieces are a little more in-depth and thoughtful than typical newspapers.

Politically, I would describe them as "moderate" - typical mixed premises, but without some of the more overt bias towards the left that one might find in papers like the Washington Post or NYT. They've won their share of Pulitzer Prizes over the years, and are considered a respectable mainstream news source.

I first learned about it in college, because it was one of the papers my fraternity house subscribed to. I've been a subscriber for many years. It's one of the only two print news sources to which I am a paid subscriber (the other being The Economist).

Here's the link for any interested readers:
http://www.csmonitor.com/

Friday, December 26, 2008 at 17:20:53 mst
Comment ID: #5
Name: Ron Harris
E-mail: rharris_43403(at)Yahoo.com

If you can tolerate ambiguity: The problem for Republicans is how to be Republicans without being Republicans.

Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 21:45:33 mst
Comment ID: #6
Name: Selene
E-mail: jgalt44(at)yahoo.com

Mr. Hsieh:

Out of curiosity, who did you vote for this year?

Adam

Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 5:29:08 mst
Comment ID: #7
Name: Paul Hsieh
E-mail: paul(at)geekpress(dot)com
URL: http://www.geekpress.com

To Selene/Adam:

I abstained in the Presidential election, for the same reasons that Craig Biddle gave in "McBama vs. America":
http://www.theobjectivestandard.com/issues/2008-fall/mcbama-vs-amer ...

I did vote in all the lower level races as well as the various state and local ballot initiatives.

Sunday, December 28, 2008 at 21:32:12 mst
Comment ID: #8
Name: KPO'M
E-mail: ka84796(at)comcast.net

You subscribe to the Economist, too, Paul? On a certain other forum that shall remain nameless, I was heavily criticized for admitting to having a subscription (ironically in a thread about Sarah Palin's dubious claim of being a reader - members of the said forum largely being sympathetic to Mrs. Palin).

That said, there is a big difference between subscribing to a publication and actually finding the time to read it. One of my resolutions for 2009 will be to actually take time to read at least part of the FT every day and Economist every week.

 Post Your Comment

Name or Handle:
E-mail:
URL:
 Remember Me
 
Comment:  
No HTML is allowed. URLs will be automatically converted into clickable links.

Commenters are welcome to clearly state their own views, as well as to criticize opposing views and arguments. Unjust personal attacks are not welcome.

The NoodleFood comments are not a general discussion board. Do not post random questions or comments, except on the designated "open threads" posted on Wednesdays and Sundays.

To weed out spammers: 2 plus 8 equals 8932432260985069049