Crash Course: There's no such thing as a conservative intellectual — only apologists for right-wing power

From Burke to Buckley to Patrick Deneen, we've seen a 200-year history of defending the indefensible [View in browser](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvamZ1d29mYnJnZy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGJXA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) Your daily update from [Salon](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvaHRkd3VsMmZkdi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). There's no such thing as a conservative intellectual — only apologists for right-wing power Conservative theorizing on politics, civil society or ethics and morals is very likely derived from one or more of these three axiomatic rules. A notable example is Michael Oakeshott, a British conservative much esteemed by Buckley, Andrew Sullivan and other figures in the conservative movement for his suggestion that rationalism in politics ultimately leads to police states and concentration camps. Oakeshott, who was far less dogmatic than his later acolytes, took a grain of truth and exaggerated it. Marxist-Leninists, who claimed to have discovered laws of historical development that were as unimpeachable as the laws of physics, tried to impose their "scientific" vision on society with horrible results. Oakeshott was horrified by this, and was also disturbed by the postwar British welfare state; this was the impetus for his denunciation of political rationalism. Here we see the classic slippery-slope argument: Although any thinking adult in the mid-20th century would have had cause to fear the statism of the Nazi or Soviet type, it is hard to envision Britain's National Health Service as the embryo of jack-booted totalitarianism. [Read the rest from Mike Lofgren.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdnV5d2s4MWdqNy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) Ron DeSantis has no respect for the rule of law Ron DeSantis has some real problems. No, we are not referring to the fact that he trails Donald Trump in [the polls](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMmJzY2l3YXcybi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) or to his [awkwardness as a retail politician](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZHB6ZGd3dmg4ay8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo). Far more concerning are the [criminal referrals](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZ294bjBlMm1kMC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGJXA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) and [investigations](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvaTZveGhlajBwdy8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGJXA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) surrounding the DeSantis administration's [relocation of migrants](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvYjB6b2Z4cGp1aS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) from Texas to Massachusetts and California—criminal investigations in which the Florida governor may have, through his own boasts, implicated himself.  [Read the rest from Norman Eisen and Richard W. Painter.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbXBmbTl3djRpdi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Photo illustration by Salon/Getty Images) - [Drag queen story hour](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNGx2cGo0MndveS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) doesn't traumatize my kids — but the anti-LGBTQ protesters certainly could - [Frozen cup](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNjNoYjV2dDNmcS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo): When the best part of summer cost just a quarter - Elon Musk sets [temporary user limitations on Twitter](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMWJuN3kyNjV4ZC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), making it even less usable - "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" considers the weight of [Khan's wrathful legacy](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbnVqNXozNmVxeS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - With 2 ingredients and no measuring, you can make your own [Dole Whip popsciples](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZDBleDNnYXVtbC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - Skip the trip to Starbucks and make [simple, better frappé coffee](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveGJlcXZnYmRibi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) from the comfort of your own home - ["The Flash"](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvOGdvbXdsZjBqai8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) is a missed opportunity, continuing the disappointing history of Jewish superheroes - A new model for [human origins in Africa](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNDdzcDJncmVpZi8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) upends commonly held beliefs about our evolution - [Trump thrilled with his appointed Supreme Court Justices](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvMmcwZjdvcWs1di8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) — calls them "gold" - “On brand and dangerous”: [Moms for Liberty](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZDY0aGpyZ3JlaC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) platforming extremists shows "just how radical” group is - [Accused Jan. 6 rioter](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdncxa3NrNGZuMS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) caught lurking around Obama's house had an arsenal at the ready If you found yourself here without subscribing, sign up for [Crash Course](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvOThyM200eHl0bS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), so you don't miss anything! "The Bear": An appreciation of Claire's glorious unibrow Carmy brings Claire into our lives in Episode 2, "Pasta," during a chance encounter at a bodega where he's picking up ice cream to use as an ingredient in veal stock. Is that a thing? Not important. As he adorably yammers on, visibly nervous and unprepared for the flood of emotions he's experiencing at that moment, the shot pans back and forth between him and Claire — calm, collected and stunning in a way that feels important to sit with awhile. [Read the rest from Kelly McClure.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbGU0MDUyZzNnaS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (Chuck Hodes/FX) - "Apple is now the first public company to be valued at $3 trillion," [ABC News](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdnA2dHU0MDd4MS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGJXA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "What Happens To Hollywood (And Beyond) If The Actors Go On Strike," [Deadline](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvN21iaG53cDhwbC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGJXA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "18 Hasidic Schools Failed to Provide Basic Education, New York City Finds," [The New York Times](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvNHZjY3czbXN4OS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGJXA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) - "Deer Impaled on Fence at Stephen King's Home," [TMZ](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0REaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZnBzZG12dzliMS8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGJXA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) "Regrettable substitutions": Why it's hard to ban "forever" chemicals, according to experts Teflon is probably the most famous of the "forever chemicals," but it is far from alone among them. Although one would hope that governments would heavily regulate a product linked to serious health issues like [cancer, high blood pressure](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMveGp4enN4eTN0bC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) and [infertility](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvZmNuZzE2ZGM3bC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo), chemicals known as PFAS (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are largely able to slip under the radar. This is because of a process known as regrettable substitution — and experts tell Salon that it is helping polluters literally destroy human life on this planet. [Read the rest from Matthew Rozsa.](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RoaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvdXE0YmV1Nzc0MC8_bGhfYWlkPTM1NDM5NTImbGhfY2lkPXo1MHVmZDl1ZGImbGhfZW09dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODUlNDBnbWFpbC5jb21XA3NwY0IKZJzAWKFknO0vB1IbdHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODVAZ21haWwuY29tWAQAAAAo) (THOMAS SAMSON/AFP via Getty Images) [Unsubscribe from this list](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0RCaHR0cHM6Ly9yZWFkLmxldHRlcmhlYWQuZW1haWwvY3Jhc2gtY291cnNlL3Vuc3Vic2NyaWJlP2lkPUAzNTQzOTUyVwNzcGNCCmScwFihZJztLwdSG3RyaXN0cmFtYmFsZHdpbjg1QGdtYWlsLmNvbVgEAAAAKA~~) Copyright © 2023 Crash Course, All rights reserved. 1000 N. West Street, Suite 1200, Wilmington, DE 19801 [Made with Letterhead [Letterhead logo]](~/AASU4wA~/RgRmg92-P0QiaHR0cHM6Ly9saW5rLndoZXJlYnkudXMvbmVwbm83czh5c1cDc3BjQgpknMBYoWSc7S8HUht0cmlzdHJhbWJhbGR3aW44NUBnbWFpbC5jb21YBAAAACg~)