Say, what's the big deal with the debate about centralized government, or the different concepts of liberty, freedom and citizenship. Or the federal system. Or the place of religion. Not to mention that some states are much, much younger than I thought they are.

It's cool, actually, to learn all these stuff (I'm coming with a lot of knowledge of and about European and continental history and philosophy, so NSM American history). This is one of the times I'm happy to be ignorant about a subject. Studying is The NOM.

(Not to speak for everyone, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's true.)

That sentiment was a safe bet. I certainly agree. We are glad to see you whenever you have a chance to stop by. The same goes for you, Laura.

What kept me from posting was mostly Evil Bureaucracy that took full control of my life. I try to kill it; it survives.

I'm imaging you feel like Angel saying to that demon that just wouldn't die, "Oh, come on, I'm holding your head!"

And, well, I'm kindda ashamed to tell you how little I knew about American history. No, really.

I have only a vague outline of the history of Israel since 1949 (sadly, I confess to having not carefully read the assigned book on the subject for the "British Empire" history class I took at uni), and before that all I've got is bits of the Crusades, however much of the Tanakh and Jesus' life might qualify as history, plus a smattering of early Christian church history. Well, and that the smattering of whatever I can remember of that miniseries about Masada [link] from way back when I was 11.

Say, what's the big deal with the debate about centralized government

It's kind of right in the name: "The United States of America." Originally all the states were pretty autonomous and preferred it that way, and only wanted to be loosely knit together. As the country grew and developed, however, this started to cause problems especially with the division between Slave States and non-Slave States. So the Civil War is as much a fight about state autonomy as it is about slavery (though slavery is the issue that brought it to a head).

Ultimately Madison's vision of a strong Federal government took hold, but the right wing conservatives have been pissy about it ever since. Also, FDR's presidency expanded the powers of the Federal government quite a bit during the Depression and WWII. And the conservatives are pissy about that too.

No, really. But I'm learning now, and all of the sudden, some things you say make sense.

And now all you have to do is watch Firefly, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, Sports Night, The West Wing, Farscape, Battlestar Gallactica, Toy Story, Deadwood, and The Wire and even MORE stuff will make sense!!

(at least, that's what happened for me...)

David's post helps me to illustrate my point: I was vaguely aware to most of this. But now I can get this. I understand this. These are not islands of info which I can't really connect between. These are lives and philosophies and desires and economies and thoughts and wants which I'm only now learning to connect.

This is why I love studying. It makes sense of the world, and makes the world so much richer with meaning.

Hi, Shir!

I think my hangover is worse than I thought. I took some ibuprofen and now I'm drinking EmergenC, which I think is helping. I think I'm going to have to lie down for a bit.

And Yahoo mail is being a butt and won't attach my freaking flier and it's pissing me off. Grr.

And now all you have to do is watch Firefly, Arrested Development, 30 Rock, Sports Night, The West Wing, Farscape, Battlestar Gallactica, Toy Story, Deadwood, and The Wire and even MORE stuff will make sense!!

Hey! I did watch (and still do) Firely, 1/2 of West Wing, the first season of BSG, Deadwood (which I LURVED) and Toy Story. I'm watching The Wire now (S4).

And hi, smonster! Feel better!

smonster, I also recommend Vitamin Water - Formula 50 for post hangover use.

Hey! I did watch (and still do) Firely, 1/2 of West Wing, the first season of BSG, Deadwood (which I LURVED) and Toy Story. I'm watching The Wire now (S4).

Well no wonder you fit in so well and we miss you so much! :)

Hi Hec. Not quite true. Liberals and Conservatives are both hypocrites on States rights. Reactionaries loved the fugitive slave law, and today DOMA. Liberals invented the idea of state nullifcation and early abolitions supported free states withdrawing from pro-slavery union. Ultimately the conservative position is the aristocratic one. The consistent thread in conservativism in the U.S. is not states rights but maintaining hierarchies so that if you are not an aristocrat you can still have a lower class to spit on and can go on supporting aristocrats.