The Polite Liberal

A rant-free discussion of liberal philosophy and policies.

Name:

The Polite Liberal is the pseudonym of a "nontraditional" graduate student in mathematics (for nonacademics, "nontraditional," is a polite way of saying, "older than 25.") The Polite Liberal is an attempt to spur real policy debate, instead of partisan insults and conspiracy theories. Conservatives (and liberals, of course!) are welcome.

Saturday, September 30, 2006

A foray into theology

I'm not a religious man myself, but I'm an interested observer. The Bible contains some nuggets of genuine wisdom, like this one:

Romans 12:19-21


19Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

21Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.


It's both astonishing and depressing to see the lengths to which self-proclaimed Christians will go to in their attempt to avoid that passage. The Web is littered with phantasmagorical ticking bombs built so that Christians may pretend that their entirely un-Christian desire for vengance is instead a noble attempt to save lives.

Everyone, stop it. You're only barely kidding yourselves. Do you really think that you're deceiving God?

Friday, September 29, 2006

From then to now

For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of trial by jury:

For transporting us beyond seas to be tried for pretended offenses:


--Declaration of Independence

Thursday, September 28, 2006

In memoriam

39. Nullus liber homo capiatur, vel imprisonetur, aut disseisiatur, aut utlagetur, aut exuletur, aut aliquo modo destruatur, nec super eum ibimus, nec super eum mittemus, nisi per legale judicium parium suorum vel per legem terre.

1215-2006. Requiescat in Pacem.