America: Still The Best Hope
The world has never had a good definition of the word liberty, and the American people, just now, are much in want of one. We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing.
-- Abraham Lincoln, April 18, 1864
In 1975, I co-authored what became the most widely used introduction to Judaism in the English language.
Thirty-seven years later, I have written the case for American values.
It took a lifetime to write it. And I wrote it because I fear that fewer and fewer Americans can identify American values, let alone explain why they constitute the best system ever created for making a good society.
The book is also an in-depth critique of Leftism and Islamism. I sought to write the most persuasive explanation of their moral failings as systems of thought and in practice.
Here is some footage of my recent appearance at The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library where I discussed the book in further detail.
I would love to hear some reactions to my book, my Reagan Library lecture, or even simply my contention that the biggest threat to America in 2012 is not Barack Obama but instead is that we are failing to instill new generations of Americans with the ideas, ideals, and values that made us a beacon of hope to the world.
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Nov '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Of course, you're right about the biggest threat being our relative ignorance. And, thank you for writing the book... I'll definitely pick up a copy. I believe two quotes toward the end of Niall Ferguson's recent book Civilization: The West and the Rest would largely agree with you.
Thank you again, Mr. Prager.
May '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Dennis - Saw this live the other night and you were excellent. (Ricoteers! Sign up for alerts from the Reagan Library. They live webcast these kind of events. Check out the last one by Mark Levin, too.)
The problem is that you're not the one running and you don't have the day-to-day ear of the guy who is.
The onslaught has yet to begun. Liberals know that with a second Obama term they can put the boot to our throats and stamp out the last bit of individual freedom.
Their allies are hard at work. Imagine my surprise in my Sunday Church Bulletin this week was the announcement that one of the Wednesday night discussions this month was going to be "Mormonism: Is it a Cult and what do they believe?" Bend over Mitt, here it comes!
Jun '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
I was listening to a Catholic theologian on TV (Scott Hahn) talking about when he met (informally) with an Islamic scholar, in preparation for a formal debate on the differences between Islam and Christianity. The immediate problem was, Hahn couldn't say anything that contradicted the Koran without this Islamic scholar becoming incensed (at the blasphemy) and pounding the table. They eventually called off the debate because it was hopeless. At least for Hahn it was hopeless. It sounds very much like what happens to any solid conservative invited to a liberal college to speak. Getting liberals to listen to the other side is about as hopeless.
Edited on May 7, 2012 at 7:48pmRe: America: Still The Best Hope
Congratulations, Dennis!!! Sounds like a great and important book. Can't wait to read it.
And it's so great to see you on Ricochet!
May '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Not to derail the conversation, but I had the honor of both singing Me, Prager's phone number jingle ("877-243 tripple seven six") and riding down in the elevator from the NYC Republican Jewish Coalition event he did two weeks ago. He seemed to be on board with my idea of taking over as Vice President after Chris Christie runs with Romney, but then resigns in time to keep being NJ Governor. Proviso: only if Dennis can keep his radio show!
May '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Destruction is easier and quicker than construction. I hope we have the time left.
Even if we do, not everyone is going to sign up for this "revolution" (in the old sense of returning to the beginning). Returning to an alliance of states might require a parting of ways here and there.
I look forward to reading your book.
Dec '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Dennis,
I am glad that you are still convinced and convincing that America is still the best hope. However, we just aren't good enough to be Europeans.
Funny thing, the English recently decided that they aren't good enough to be Europeans either. I suspect that very shortly the Germans will be deciding that they aren't good enough to be Europeans also.
Soon the Greeks, the French, the Spanish and the Belgiumites (if this is a word?) will be free to be the only countries good enough to be Europeans.
We will all watch from the sidelines as they go FORWARD!
Well, they'll be going in some direction at least. Perhaps it will be in a more infernal direction.
Regards,
Jim
Nov '11
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
"In Europe, it is considered "profound" to be depressed.." Hahaha, this is sooo true.
Brilliant man.
Apr '11
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
During a recent trip across Pennsylvania driving a rental truck and out of the necessity to drown out the noise of the vehicle and alleviate my boredom, I was listening to Dennis' radio program from my iphone (hat tip Apple and the free market). He imparted a word of wisdom, as he is apt to do quite often, which spoke directly to a current conflict involving a family member. It struck me that Dennis, through the medium of radio and because there was a conservative radio outlet (hat tip WNPT 990am) allowing me to be a faithful listener the last 10-12 years, has changed my heart and stimulated my mind beyond measure regarding life, marriage, male/female relations, culture and politics. His banner of Clarity over Agreement has transformed my thought process as I engage the world around me regarding the important ideas of our country and that of our world.
Having never had the pleasure of graduating college, I realize I have been an undergraduate at Prager University, under the tutelage of the most eminent Professor Prager and for that Dennis, I am forever in your debt.
Looking forward to your reading your book Professor Prager. Mazel Tov!
May '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Just downloaded it from Audible.com. Do I get extra points for a double plug? Maybe a free month of Ricochet? ;)
Mar '11
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Looks like a great book - I should add it to my list.
My confidence in the US has been badly shaken by the election of Mr Obama, but there are signs of hope that we may recover.
We won't know until November, though.
Even then, given that the election of Mr Obama was indeed only a symptom of a widespread problem, I guess the battle will go on indefinitely. If we lose the Supreme Court and the Constitution, all will be lost (that we may see as early as June).
But as Mr Steyn always says, there's nowhere else left on the planet to go (with the possible exception of Australia - Mr Delingpole may never return to the UK).
As for Europe - Sigh.
Edited on May 7, 2012 at 9:12pmNov '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
I believe that you are correct. I like the term “loss of faith” in our country. It seems to be a very pervasive attitude that we are no better than anyone else. Certainly from a Christian perspective this is true: we all fall short of the glory of God. But from a societal perspective, ours is better than a great many other societies. I drove this point home to a moderate liberal friend of mine the other day. He was lamenting yet another case of a young woman getting oil thrown in her face for dishonoring her family. I pointed out that this behavior is not American. It has been imported from another culture where life is not valued intrinsically. We Americans, for all our faults, hold to higher standard that says people matter. This comes from the Judeo-Christian value system that founded our nation. Whether Christian, Jew, or atheist, most Americans hold that value to be Truth. It is the basis for a free society, and one that we should be exporting.
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Paris, that's you on the jingle? Seriously? Congrats!
May '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Mr. Lileks, no. He's a Canadian. I just thought it would be funny to sing it--admitted sober guy suddenly breaking into song. Actually, I had thought of singing it during the question/answer part of the event, but there was too little time to waste it on a goof, and did it afterwards.
The elevator/Christie part was real. Also, Mrs. Prager is lovely.
Edited on May 7, 2012 at 11:13pmApr '11
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Dammnit Paris, now I have that jingle in my head again!
Apr '11
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Dennis, just got the book. I've been looking forward to it for a while.
Any chance of getting it to Mr. Romney?
If only he could name drop it in an interview in response to a "What are you reading?" question.
May '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
The debut of that jungle was simPly hysterical ( heard that show as a podcast) because it's, I suppose, alternative rock style, and kind of the antithesis of what you would expect someone heavily into classical music to be sent, to say nothing of adopt. But it works so well!
May '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
By the way, that's an amazingly great speech.
Dec '10
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Well, I agree with your premise, but look forward to any useful insight.
In my world, it is difficult to encourage our kids to apply blind respect to their teachers. I have had our youngest clutch my arm and ask me, "What are we going to do when the flood comes?" His teacher had made him watch "An Inconvenient Truth". We talked.
Our middle boy got "in a fight" with his teacher last week. Not acceptable, we explained. Then we found out the fight was a discussion and the topic was America's crimes perpetrated on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We talked.
Our church is a truly worthless edifice that we can't even insist the boys attend, with straight faces. But it has a fine Big Screen and lots of comfy-sounding nonsense to disseminate.
Society conspires to make parents hypocrites in the eyes of their children. Our schools and churches are additional obstacles to teaching our children to love themselves and America.
So we talk and they sometimes listen.
Feb '11
Re: America: Still The Best Hope
Thanks for linking the speech, which was all the things we've come to expect from you--lucid, good-natured, unstinting, winsome and direct. Thanks for your good humor and your care for the dignity of those who disagree with you and revile you.