I'm not entirely sure the point being made in "No Enemies to the Left." It seems that there's a confusion between subject and object. The subject, "the Left," are those "more progressive elements" that really seem to be in control of where things are going for the Left generally. Like the phrase suggests, they have no enemies to their Left. People like Yglesias are to their right when they disagree with any part of the Revolution. Thus, "no enemies to the left."
Key point about Mormonism: as a red-state outgrowth of the communitarian Yankee Empire (cf. David Hackett Fischer), it is very different from 'Scots-Irish' and Southern conservatism. Cf. Utah's pragmatic compromises on gay rights and immigration.
That's an interesting perspective on Mormon life, and definitely more appealing than a discussion about their rites and theology. But you've got to figure they're doing something well enough to hold onto so many folks. Years ago, they promoted their family values, I suspect today promoting a strong community would be well received.
I recently got to visit Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, one of the main Shaker settlements. A couple centuries ago, America was full of all sorts of communal experiments. I even went to church with a guy who grew up in a secular commune in Oregon, and there are still a few Christian ones around, though hardly thriving. It's impressive to consider how the Mormons have managed to keep their vision for frontier-style communalism, as Kirn put it.
I’d second Aaron’s comments on the Financial Times and add that an OUS perspective provides a helpful triangulation point. Re cost: my weekend edition subscription (Saturday paper delivery) is $33/quarter and provides full access to FT.com.
As a Latter-day Saint, I can relate to what Kirn wrote. I often don't appreciate how much community and sociality we have that many other Americans simply do not have access to. And of course, even what we have now is just a watered down version of what almost everyone used to have.
"The only time he really dings them is when they deserve it, such as for corny song lyrics like “God’s love is big / God’s love is great / God’s love is fab / And he’s my mate.”"
In fairness to Innes et al. that was the kids' song that day, the article makes it sound like one of the main hymns.
But the tradition of a "kids song" before the kids head out for Sunday school is one that I wish would die already because they really are corny...
Weekly Digest: Faith No More
I'm not entirely sure the point being made in "No Enemies to the Left." It seems that there's a confusion between subject and object. The subject, "the Left," are those "more progressive elements" that really seem to be in control of where things are going for the Left generally. Like the phrase suggests, they have no enemies to their Left. People like Yglesias are to their right when they disagree with any part of the Revolution. Thus, "no enemies to the left."
"This article is an example of why the Financial Times is the world’s best English language newspaper today..."
Disagree. The Epoch Times is the best. I've been a subscriber to both FT and Epoch. I am still a subscriber to the latter.
Sebastian Milbank has a reasonably perceptive piece on the "manosphere," if a bit light on a concrete actionable agenda:
https://www.newstatesman.com/comment/2023/09/manosphere-poisoning-conservatism
Key point about Mormonism: as a red-state outgrowth of the communitarian Yankee Empire (cf. David Hackett Fischer), it is very different from 'Scots-Irish' and Southern conservatism. Cf. Utah's pragmatic compromises on gay rights and immigration.
https://www.gnxp.com/WordPress/2011/12/31/are-genes-the-key-to-the-yankee-empire/
https://www.gnxp.com/WordPress/2016/10/09/mormons-among-the-gentiles/
Don't tell anyone, but archive.ph gets pasta a lot of paywalls.
That's an interesting perspective on Mormon life, and definitely more appealing than a discussion about their rites and theology. But you've got to figure they're doing something well enough to hold onto so many folks. Years ago, they promoted their family values, I suspect today promoting a strong community would be well received.
I recently got to visit Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, one of the main Shaker settlements. A couple centuries ago, America was full of all sorts of communal experiments. I even went to church with a guy who grew up in a secular commune in Oregon, and there are still a few Christian ones around, though hardly thriving. It's impressive to consider how the Mormons have managed to keep their vision for frontier-style communalism, as Kirn put it.
I’d second Aaron’s comments on the Financial Times and add that an OUS perspective provides a helpful triangulation point. Re cost: my weekend edition subscription (Saturday paper delivery) is $33/quarter and provides full access to FT.com.
As a Latter-day Saint, I can relate to what Kirn wrote. I often don't appreciate how much community and sociality we have that many other Americans simply do not have access to. And of course, even what we have now is just a watered down version of what almost everyone used to have.
"The only time he really dings them is when they deserve it, such as for corny song lyrics like “God’s love is big / God’s love is great / God’s love is fab / And he’s my mate.”"
In fairness to Innes et al. that was the kids' song that day, the article makes it sound like one of the main hymns.
But the tradition of a "kids song" before the kids head out for Sunday school is one that I wish would die already because they really are corny...