I know that in dKos 4, ‘Diary Rescue’ has been automated in the Community Spotlight area of the site, and that rescued diaries in any case are currently active diaries, available for comments and recommendations. This diary ‘rescue’ is for a diary posted in 2009, for a diary that got 572 recommendations, a diary which sits forever in my 'hotlist.' Its message, for me, is still extremely important, so I would like to revisit it this evening.
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By way of background, some of my diaries reflect my interest in ‘framing,’ the term George Lakoff uses for the practice of optimally using language to communicate the power and the morality of a political argument. I consider Dr. Lakoff’s writings of great importance for progressive politics. If there is anything I might regard as more important than moral messaging, it is energy projection.
In some circles there has been discussion of the possible existence of a universal language, a language understood by all. Wikipedia describes it thus.
Universal language may refer to a hypothetical or historical language spoken and understood by all or most of the world's population. In some contexts, it refers to a means of communication said to be understood by all living things, beings, and objects alike. It may be the ideal of an international auxiliary language for communication between groups speaking different primary languages. In other conceptions, it may be the primary language of all speakers, or the only existing language. Some mythological or religious traditions state that there was once a single universal language among all people, or shared by humans and supernatural beings, however, this is not supported by historical evidence.
Although I have spent time researching this, it is the rare observer who claims that such a universal language exists. I know an exception, however.
Cesar Millan, the 'Dog Whisperer,' has made a remarkable career as a dog psychologist, describing the use of projected energy as the best way to communicate to dogs how they are expected to behave. While it may be true that dogs can acquire a limited working vocabulary of human words, Millan contends it is a mistake to assume that communication between species isn’t possible until that vocabulary is established. He says dogs are always attentive from the first moment of contact to human intent, and the ‘language’ they respond to from that time is cues they pick up from the energy we project in their company. Very often, in working with the most difficult canine behavioral cases, Millan uses no spoken language at all. He may use sounds, to focus the animal’s attention, but human syntax is basically irrelevant in his treatment. He tells dogs how to behave through the energy he very consciously and intentionally projects, and he thinks of energy projection as the universal language we are discussing.
Think about the energy we witness in the world today. One of the most difficult things for many progressives to bear (I am absolutely in this subset!) was the horrible energy projected in the infamous George W. Bush smirk. To us it indicated his contempt for the well-being of our people, his pseudo-superiority to the ‘mundane’ concerns of most US citizens. It communicated that there was no chance that he would avail himself of quality or reasonable political advice in handling any situation or issue.
To contrast that, look at President Obama’s energy. Always composed, always well-intentioned and positive, from our side, some get frustrated that he doesn’t show anger often or easily, that nothing ever seems to so provoke him that he loses his composure and lashes out. Personally, I admire him for it, and I am sure that, at least internationally, citizens in other countries find his stability and emotional maturity reassuring for world prospects.
Then I think of Howard Dean. To me, Dean was one of the most attractive progressive candidates we have ever had. And his campaign was undone by an unguarded moment of emotional spontaneity, which suggested to the public that he was emotionally unstable. From that moment, his electability came into question, and we lost a terrific candidate, one I would have liked to see in the Oval Office. One unfortunate moment of unstable energy projection doomed his candidacy. I contrast it with the Howard Dean I saw onstage at the primary debate hosted here in my town. He stood onstage projecting terrific energy, strength, character, confidence, composure, COMPETENCE. On stage with him was Dennis Kucinich, whose politics I have always liked. Dean looked like you could run into him with a Mack truck and it would just bounce off. By comparison, Kucinich leaned heavily on his rostrum, foot curled around behind him. It was a very weak energy projection, not confidence-inspiring in a prospective leader.
That brings us to the diary I am ‘rescuing’ tonight.
In 2009, a dKos member then using the handle ‘Turkana,’ (now known as front pager, Laurence Lewis) wrote a diary entitled: To an Adult.
That diary is all about quality energy projection. It is all about responsible emotional maturity. It is all about owning one’s morality and one’s place in our political and sophisticated social world.
The stunning diary does all that in 166 words. It is a primer for the very highest quality political and interpersonal engagement. It is about owning our place as progressives, in a world with many shades of grey, with many elements to truth. And though it does not say so, explicitly, it is a diary about differentiating ourselves from conservatives through our behavior, through our confidence, through our open-mindedness, through our superior emotional maturity.
There are many out there who will never agree with us, who will never be persuaded to abandon the ‘dark side.’ But even with those, behaving in accordance with Laurence Lewis’s adult manifesto, we’ll still command great respect. And, if nothing else, we’ll set an adult standard of behavior which will ALWAYS advance the progressive world view, and undermine the conservative. It's a standard they cannot hope to meet.
To Laurence Lewis, then, and adulthood!
(Please note, under dKos 4, it is ALWAYS possible to recommend a diary, even one considered old. It may not matter to Laurence Lewis, but perhaps it could matter to you that your name appears in the list of recommenders for this fine diary. So feel free to recommend the diary, even now! And, if you feel the diary deserves it, please consider adding it to your own hotlist, for easy future reference!)
On to tonight’s comments!
(Special thanks to brillig for assistance with diary prep!)
Brillig here, I'll be providing your Trio of Tops tonite!
First up, Top Comments:
From Wee Mama:
Great headline for the bishops' kerfuffle over those right-minded nuns, courtesy of jpmassar.
A good note on who does agree with those naughty nuns, by acerimusdux. A fun thread ensues, as an extra pleasure.
From Moody Loner:
I think this comment by ivorybill in roseeriter's diary Have you heard the latest NRA joke? should be a Top Comment.
From Steveningen:
In Bill from Portland's Cheers and Jeers diary one of his Who won the week options was "The penguin that bit Newt Gingrich." Dear lineatus shot back with this little gem.
And finally from your diarist BeninSC:
Any comment that links to 'Simon's Cat' (on YouTube) gets my recommendation, in this case, courtesy of Khun David!
Steven Mading explains Mormon sexism in relation to the Boy Scouts of America.
it really is that important has a pootie pic worthy of jotter's pictorial rescue! Maybe it will make tomorrow's list!
Next up Top Mojo:
Top Mojo for yesterday, April 19th, first comments and tip jars excluded. Thank you mik for the mojo magic!
(Updated note: lineatus pointed out that the Top Mojo list was from yesterday. A new list has been assembled, but the top 32 comments vary in mojo from 47 to 41 recs, which can't be right. Thus, at least so far, we are not posting the updated list. Hope to have an answer soon! Sorry for the mixup!)
1) You say in the same breath by david mizner — 47
2) I get it by quaoar — 47
3) The government only "tells us" they were suicide by Jesselyn Radack — 47
4) Good report and good reporting! by blonde moment — 47
5) In case I didn't make myself clear by SwedishJewfish — 46
6) I am overcome. by kjoftherock — 46
7) Cleopatra in her Easter dress by Ender — 46
8) They're all going to be horrified to learn... by rovertheoctopus — 46
9) sumone sai toona? by Debbie in ME — 46
10) Bieber. The prosecution rests, your Honor. by Fordmandalay — 46
11) I'm so sorry. Please accept my best wishes. n/t by Indexer — 45
12) Oh man, if only we could have prevented that by Lawrence — 45
13) Cause that is where the money is not. by TomP — 44
14) Obama really botched that Iraq invasion, too. by Crashing Vor — 44
15) One suggestion by TX Freethinker — 44
16) love the lolz today Tricia, hope all is well with by Statusquomustgo — 44
17) Actually, we know by gchaucer2 — 44
18) Robinson nails it as he usually does by entlord — 44
19) You have done her justice, parryander, by ursoklevar — 44
20) May I Offer This Little Thing by webranding — 44
21) hmmph by Debbie in ME — 43
22) almost friedai? by Debbie in ME — 43
23) There have been wonderful tributes to the man by Free Jazz at High Noon — 43
24) He's really no less dangerous... by markthshark — 43
25) I agreed, up to a point by david mizner — 43
26) McCain's reputation... by vacantlook — 42
27) oh oh by Debbie in ME — 42
28) I promise you I do not think less of jimreyn by Kitsap River — 42
29) if you ever feel that terrible urge .... by Patriot Daily News Clearinghouse — 41
30) i keep reading vagina manager... by bubbanomics — 41
31) If he thought it would get him elected by ivorybill — 41
32) We should start calling "classic rock" by ontheleftcoast — 41
Last but not least, Top Pictures:
Top Pictures for yesterday, April 19th. Click any image to be taken to the full comment. Thank you jotter for the image magic!