

I have just finished reading Richard Allsop's Liberalism: a Short History
The book is good and full of history, but I'm disappointed as the arguments are flaky even though I broadly agree with them. Allsopp writes like a university professor and so definitions aren't like real world understandings. For example he describes the difference between small 'l' liberals and large 'L' Liberals for the Liberal Party of Australia. The books thesis is to do with the changing description of liberals in history. Liberals are the hero of the text. Only, in modern terms, Liberals tend to be economic conservatives like Howard while liberals tend to be social conservatives who go for big spending, big government, being centre left, like Malcolm Turnbull, Malcolm Fraser, John Hewson and Peter Collins. But in Allsop's view, Howard becomes a Dry while wets become the heirs of Liberalism who just happen to oppose pretty much everything that Liberalism stands for. The word Allsop is searching for is Conservative. He tends not to use it as he tries to pin anything worthwhile on liberalism.
Allsopp finishes in confused fashion, but he begins with it too. He refers to Pitt the Younger, who was PM of the UK from 1804 to 1806, and PM of Great Britain from 1783 to 1801, as a Tory. Pitt was a Whig. When Horatio Nelson wanted to serve in parliament, Pitt convinced him to be a Whig, even though Nelson's father was a life long Tory. But Nelson chose Whig on Pitt's advice because he wanted to be heard, and then, as now, the press hated conservatives and opposed them with rhetoric. Thing is, Whigs made grandiose claims and were reported glowingly. And so there is a temptation for modern historians to attribute much to those who were praised, but praised undeservedly because of tribal affiliation.
The true heir of classical Liberalism, proclaiming individual freedom and small state interference, are economic conservatives unfettered by left wing dandies. Australia had a glimpse with work choices, before extreme authoritarian left wingers from a metamorphosed liberal tradition wrecked it. And Abbott could be the touch stone which bestows it, if Turnbull is ever turned away.
https://conservativeweasel.blogspot.com/2021/10/8th-oct-review-of-historical-and.html
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell rock
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bell chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle...
David Daniel Ball calls himself the Conservative Voice.
I'm a teacher with three decades experience teaching math to high school kids.I also work with first graders and kids in between first grade and high school. I know the legends of why Hypatia's dad is remembered through his contribution to Math theory. And I know the legend of why followers of Godel had thought he had disproved God's existence.
I'm not a preacher, but I am a Christian who has written over 28 books all of which include some reference to my faith. Twelve blog books on world history and current affairs, detailing world events , births and marriages on each day of the year, organised by month. Twelve books on the background to and history of Bible Quotes. One Bible quote per day for a year. An intro to a science fiction series I'm planning, post apocalyptic cyber punk. An autobiography with short story collections.
I'm known in Australia for my failure as a whistleblower over the negligence death of a school boy. ...
https://suno.com/s/YNGTe539O3rdixRF
(Verse 1)
I was born in the heartland, where the prairies meet the sky,
With a fire in my soul, and a truth that won’t die.
Loved my God up above, with a faith strong and true,
My wife and my children, they’re my anchor, my crew.
(Chorus)
Oh, Charlie Kirk, singin’ the blues,
Fightin’ for freedom, with nothin’ to lose.
In the halls of the angry, where the shouts never end,
I stood with my facts, and I’d do it again.
(Verse 2)
I walked them college roads, where the crowds would scream and yell,
Debatin’ in the fire, where the strident censors dwell.
With a table and a sign, I’d call ‘em out to fight,
Used facts and steady reason, to cut through the dark of night.
(Chorus)
Oh, Charlie Kirk, singin’ the blues,
Fightin’ for freedom, with nothin’ to lose.
Against the mob’s ...
(Verse 1 - Spoken intro like an old field holler, then into 12-bar blues)
Oh Lord, in these hard times, dust blowin' 'cross the plain,
I hear the Master's voice callin' through the pourin' rain.
He say, "All authority in heaven and earth is mine,"
Yeah, all that power given to me, gonna ease your troubled mind.
(Chorus - AAB pattern)
Go and make disciples, from the city to the shore,
Go and make disciples, from the city to the shore,
Baptize 'em in the name of Father, Son, and Spirit evermore.
(Verse 2)
Brother lost his job, sister cryin' in the night,
Ain't no bread on the table, future out of sight.
But Jesus say, "Teach 'em all I ...
Do you agree with France, UK and, Australia that the Iranian planned invasion of Israel by Hamas, siezing hostages and killing and raping innocent civilians, is worthy of statehood? Israel has for over seventy years offered peace, even offering land for security. But, now, Israel is resolved to provide security, and police, Gaza, ensuring Hamas has no role.
Make a song in ancient Jewish tradition of their Gaza objective. Include how they repeatedly offered peace to Hamas, but were spurned. Trump warned Hamas of what would happen if they failed to return the hostages. They refused. Include how UN and Europe have emboldened Hamas to not return the hostages. Include how Hamas has deliberately starved her own people to blame Israel.
Ode to Resolve: A Lament in the Style of Ancient Psalms
(In the tradition of biblical Hebrew poetry, such as the Psalms of David or the Song of Moses, this song employs parallelism, rhythmic repetition, and themes of divine justice, oppressed people, and unyielding foes. It is structured with verses (stanzas) and a...