Let Teddy win!

I dig Liberalism. I found the Doyle article’s section concerning Kant’s views on Liberal Internationalism to be especially interesting. He points out that humans are not “moral angels,” but devils “capable of appreciating the moral equality of all individuals and of treating other individuals as ends rather than means.” As someone mentioned in class earlier this week, you don’t have to think of Liberalism and Realism as mutually exclusive. I do think security is ultimately essential, but it’s not the hokey pokey. Liberalism is a much broader way of looking at things, and takes into account many of the modern factors concerning international relations that realism conveniently leaves out.

One thing that kind of surprised/bothered me was the notion that people don’t know what’s good for them. This is sometimes true, but when government starts talking like that it’s time to move to Canada. There are some things the government does on their own where we as citizens don’t have all the facts and don’t necessarily need them. I don’t really care how or in what manner the potholes on my street are fixed as long as it gets done. It doesn’t need to go to a vote. But when it comes to massive transit related issues (like the Alaskan Way Viaduct, which is a huge transportation nightmare in Seattle), I want my say. People are aware of the magnitude and impact of certain decisions and want to have their ideas considered, if not implemented.
There are times, especially when international relations/national security are involved, where people don’t have all the facts. This is why we (ideally) elect people we trust to represent us and honor our beliefs. They are supposed to make these judgment calls not because they are superior to us, but because we gave them the privilege of doing what we don’t have the time to. Concerning wars and things of that nature, when public opinion is important and influential but it would be unwise to release all the details, it’s time to market. The government has every right to market something to us (as long as it’s truthful). It’s up to humans as rational beings to either take it at face value or look into it a bit more. Never should it be suggested that we are incapable of understanding a situation and thus need someone else to decide what’s best for us.

And finally, poor Nationals. I didn’t make it all 14 innings, but it was a lot of fun! It’s been a while since I was at a baseball game, but they certainly do things a little differently. At Safeco Field you only get fireworks when you win the ALC (not seen since 2001). The White House montage, color guard and all that nationalistic goodness was quite the spectacle (presidents racing anyone?). I’m going to venture that it’s catered a bit more towards the tourists. But they really just needed to have some garlic fries. I thought it was a stadium staple!