Well worth the read.
So many great nuggets in here-what a great essay.
"Many illusions were challenged on September 11. One illusion concerns
the fantasies of academic multiculturalists, so-called. I say
“so-called” because what goes under the name of multiculturalism in our
colleges and universities today is really a polysyllabic form of
mono-culturalism fueled by ideological hatred."
"Genuine multiculturalism
involves a great deal of work, beginning, say, with the arduous task of
learning other languages, something most of those who call themselves
multiculturalists are conspicuously loath to do."
And this observation:
"The hollowness of the left-liberal wisdom about the war brings me to
another illusion that was challenged by the events of 9/11. I mean the
illusion that the world is basically a benevolent, freedom-loving place,
and that if only other people had enough education, safe sex, and
access to National Public Radio, they would become pacific celebrants of
democracy and tolerance. This is the temptation of utopia—Greek for
“nowhere”—and it must be acknowledged that America’s fortunate
geographical position in the world has long encouraged certain versions
of this temptation."
Righteous, particularly on utopia:
"This favorite liberal pastime has not been abandoned, but it looks
increasingly rancid. As the commentator Jonathan Rauch wittily put it
shortly after the terrorist attacks, the cause of terrorism is
terrorists. September 11 reminded us that with power comes
responsibility. Power without resolution is perceived as weakness, and
weakness is always dangerously provocative. In the aftermath of
September 11, we in the West were often cautioned against exciting
Islamic rage. My own feeling is that it is salutary for our allies and
our enemies alike to understand that American rage, too, is an
unpleasant thing."
