What government service would you give up not to eat with Charles Krauthammer?

Well Chris

I would love to recommend some governmental “services” “benefiting” my family (at least in theory) which ought to be cut make or eliminated completely. I would begin with those involving “corporate welfare”. And yes, I would love to have dinner with Charles Krauthammer — for a number of reasons
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First, it would provide an opportunity to better understand how “his mind works” or “does work” and how he “rationalizes” positions and view points that seem to be lacking a foundation. Second, I would use that occasion challenge the soundness of his thinking. And I would challenge him to “put his money were is mouth is” and take on the criticisms I have of him and his kind of conservatism. Probably would not change his mind, but would let him know that there are alternative points of view which he can glibly dismiss. Also, would help gain a better understanding of the flaws in his thinking — which would be important when bring the debate into the public sphere.

PS: I would recommend you join the Center for the American Experience — the reason being that you would obtain more ammunition to for exposing its weaknesses. For example, you would discover that at Center’s luncheons, all wisdom “comes from the podium”; that the attendees sit around table “like sheep”, never asking a critical question; that there never a “reactor panel” composed of persons with some kind of expertise to engage and perhaps challenge the featured speaker. Perhaps, if you joined this so called “think tank”, you would be in a better position to expose it for what it is: a kind of ideological navel gazing society where “independent thinking” is discouraged. One other reason why you should join. Much of the criticism of the Center for the American Experiences has not risen above “tomato throwing” — and this is a problem for the simple reason that the Center’s influence has not only far exceeded its intellectual capacity, but its influence has had a negative impact on Minnesota political and civic culture. These are but a few reasons why you might want to become more directly in engage with the Charles Krauthammers of the world. Just a thought.

“I would give up city sewer service not to have to listen to Charles Krauthammer, much less eat with him.” I get so confused… I thought it was the conservatives who were intolerant.

As long as one side considers itself intellectually or morally superior to the other, we will continue to have to settle for rivalry instead of progress.

Colleen, yeah, that was a bit snarky. I didn’t mean it ideologically so much as personally. I see Krauthammer on Fox and in the Strib, I just don’t feel any desire to be in the same room with the guy. (I feel the same way toward some more liberal media folks.) But thanks to you and Stephen for the comments … I’m sure you’re right that the best course is conversation and engagement.