Ken Masugi of the rightwing Claremont Institute weighs in on Human Events Online's list of Most Dangerous Books (I blogged about that precious document here). Masugi writes,
If I had a criticism of the list, it is the omission of fiction writers (and of historian Charles Beard). Was George Bernard Shaw such a dangerous one? James Joyce? Laughter and fantasy can contribute to a decline in our character.
Yeah. To say nothing of such character-sapping miscreants as, for instance, Dave Barry, Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, and Walt Disney. You don't suppose there's a laughter-and-fantasy-lovin' liberal conspiracy afoot, do you? 'Cause I'm sure that wouldn't surprise Ken in the least.
Laughter detract from the national character? Caution: ignoramus at work!
Abraham Lincoln was known for his sense of humor, which was likely the only thing that kept him sane during the Civil War. What about Mark Twain, who used humor as a potent weapon against ignorance and bigotry? Or
H.L. Mencken, whose sarcasms and burlesques on phony crusaders are still feared fifty years after his death? I could extend the list to pages...
As for fantasy, LORD OF THE RINGS is the most splendid moral example we seen on the big screen since the middle of the last century ( and speaking of Tolkien & friends, the CHRONICLES OF NARNIA are next for movie release). Fantasy bad for building character? As in King Arthur? Buck Rogers? Again, I could fill a book just naming examples.
No, no. What that sentence proves is that somebody needs a life.
Posted by: Martin Owens | Monday, June 06, 2005 at 10:06 AM
The true face of modern conservatism. The perpetual frown.
Posted by: David | Monday, June 06, 2005 at 11:03 AM