(Yes, I just used an online translator.)

Anunciar agradable.

Viva America!

Si, yo creo que nadie entendio esta pieza, porque estan hablando de otra cosa que no esta relacionado con lo que Policraticus escribio.

Thank you.

Henry,

Indeed, I did not mean to suggest that non-conservatives to not appreciate the value of work for others, peace, self sacrifice, etc. Far from it. I am convinced that many non-conservatives are indeed passionately interested in responsibility in the world.

All I would like to point out, and is sometimes too seldom acknowledge in these pages, is that an appreciation for the service of military personnel, and a belief that their sacrifices serve to protect freedom, is not necessarily an expression of militarism and nationalism.

And let’s be honest, if Donald McClarey or I had said exactly the same words of the pope’s that I quoted, we would have been jumped all over and told we had no appreciation for a true Catholic understanding of freedom.

I’m not trying to score points again non-conservatives. I’m simply asking that perhaps next time a phrase like “those who have given their lives for freedom” comes up in regards to our military, people remember the pope’s words and be less quick to throw around buzz-words. In other words: I’m suggesting a little more charity and thought in discourse here.

Surely that couldn’t be a bad thing?

Sounds good. I think we can have a fruitful conversation.

I have intended to work through Novak’s book as well… maybe our readings will correspond? Just finished a paper/seminar presentation on Appalachian studies and post/de-colonial theology. Whew. I’m throwing a few back tonight w/ some live bluegrass music. Writing takes a lot out of me.

Definitely – I ought to be working on a close-of-semester project of my own.

Good luck with the end of the semester.

I’m glad you got and read the book! I would like very much to discuss it either here or at Civics Geeks. Can you give me a few more weeks? I am currently in term paper mode and will be until the first week of May. Once my semester is over, I’ll time to return to Novak more thoughtfully.

Sorry to spam your post, but I have no other way to ask – have you thought anymore about posting your detailed thoughts on Michael Novak’s Spirit of Democratic Capitalism? A while back we had a conversation and you convinced me to read and buy the book, which I have recently done.

I was hoping to continue the conversation with you if you were still interested; after reading the book I would like to hear your criticisms. I’m posting some selections from it along with my simplistic commentary over on my blog, http://civicsgeeks.blogspot.com – if you get a chance check it out, I’d be interested to hear what you think.

Thanks!