Lots of talk about religious right, academic standards, rule of law, and figuring out what to do when not otherwise occupied with this shit.
My take on things mostly involve either in-depth analysis of the issues at hand, an application of ideal pragmatism, or something to suit me.
Religious right needs to be able to arrive at the same answer regardless of angle of dissection. Telling me your point of view as a *blahblahblah* does not help your case. It is a given you will agree with yourself. Want to prove a point? Show me you can arrive at a similar conclusion based on my own stated assumptions. Also, stop asserting that you have the absolute answers. It's all very annoying when everybody and his grandmother keeps screeching that you will go to hell. Hell is having to talk to dipshits who can't phrase an argument without screaming.
Academic standards are always suspect. What may be scaling new heights today may be scraping the bottom of the cesspool tomorrow. Formal academia should always be based on first the practicality of such pursuits, and then the benefits of keeping otherwise overly ponderous sycophants occupied and away from the precipice of fourth degree psychosis. A paper scrip stating achievements should be treated with no greater import than a TV guide. More likely to be a good indicator of what's gonna screen, but better to watch the telly to find out.
Rule of law should only place limitations on activities that would directly affect individual ability to function to a general benefit. Laws should seek the most efficient way of doing things with as neutral an outcome as possible. Law should not be based on religious precedent; if they happen to coincide, that is mere coincidence. The only just law is one that does not impinge on the freedom of any party to act in a manner that does not inconvenience another. Private acts are such an example.
Figuring out what to do should ideally be left to people who are mostly whimsical and have significant cash availability. Keeping costs low is ideal; it allows for more iterations of a favourable activity. The company one keeps while entertaining is paramount, especially when enjoyment is a major objective. Above all, figuring out what to do should bring about some practical benefit, in relation to the cost.
