English Primer for Political Rhetoric by Thomas Sowell

@debrakcarey (19887)
United States
May 11, 2011 12:56pm CST
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaouMZGICcc&feature=related Thomas Sowell (compiles list on video) was born in North Carolina and grew up in Harlem. As with many others in his neighborhood, Thomas Sowell left home early and did not finish high school. The next few years were difficult ones, but eventually he joined the Marine Corps and became a photographer in the Korean War. After leaving the service, Thomas Sowell entered Harvard University, worked a part-time job as a photographer and studied the science that would become his passion and profession: economics. After graduating magna (censored) laude from Harvard University (1958), Thomas Sowell went on to receive his master's in economics from Columbia University (1959) and a doctorate in economics from the University of Chicago (1968). In the early '60s, Sowell held jobs as an economist with the Department of Labor and AT&T. But his real interest was in teaching and scholarship. In 1965, at Cornell University, Sowell began the first of many professorships. Thomas Sowell's other teaching assignments include Rutgers University, Amherst College, Brandeis University and the University of California at Los Angeles, where he taught in the early '70s and also from 1984 to 1989. Thomas Sowell has published a large volume of writing. His dozen books, as well as numerous articles and essays, cover a wide range of topics, from classic economic theory to judicial activism, from civil rights to choosing the right college. Moreover, much of his writing is considered ground-breaking work that will outlive the great majority of scholarship done today. Though Thomas Sowell had been a regular contributor to newspapers in the late '70s and early '80s, he did not begin his career as a newspaper columnist until 1984. George F. Will's writing, says Sowell, proved to him that someone could say something of substance in so short a space (750 words). And besides, writing for the general public enables him to address the heart of issues without the smoke and mirrors that so often accompany academic writing. In 1990, he won the prestigious Francis Boyer Award, presented by The American Enterprise Institute. Currently Thomas Sowell is a senior fellow at the Hoover Institute in Stanford, Calif. http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/ Thomas Sowell is a very smart man. I only discovered his writings a short while ago and am very impressed. He has a firm grip on history and how it effects the issues of today. Not to mention, he sees what has worked and what hasn't worked. He can put his thoughts in a few words and make a complex situation understandable to those of us who are not quite as sharp as we think we are. The above video is short and contains some of the 'political rhetoric' we are hearing now a days, the list was compiled in 1985 but is very relavant to the issues today. Watch it if you want to sit back and grin, then think about it and stop grinning. For it shows how we are being led down the garden path by our leaders. If you want to read more of what Thomas Sowell has to say on the issues go to: http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/ Were you amused? Did it help clarify some things for you?
3 people like this
8 responses
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
11 May 11
I can't view the videos here at work. But I have been familiar with his writings for quite a few years. His column used to appear pretty regularly in the newspaper I got when I lived in LA. I haven't always agreed with him, but he does seem very sharp.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 May 11
I started reading him because I suck at economics. And I wanted to understand it better. When you get home, take a look at this short video, it's good for a smile anyway.
1 person likes this
@dawnald (85137)
• Shingle Springs, California
12 May 11
That was great!
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
11 May 11
I have read and seen Thomas Sowell off and on for years. He is a quiet, intelligent, clear-sighted and understated sort of political and economic commentator. He makes the rare appearance on some opinion shows. The problem most people will have with Sowell is that he is logical about coming to his conclusions. Politics sometimes seems to be all about panic, emotion, anger and the assurance from politicians that it is all too complex for us to truly understand. What they really mean is that they don't want us to understand.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 May 11
We could use a little logic these days!
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
12 May 11
I looked at a couple of his articles and he is very interesting. Thanks for the tip.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 May 11
You're welcome! Happy to be of service.
@urbandekay (18278)
11 May 11
Economists have a lot to answer for all the best urban
@urbandekay (18278)
12 May 11
Seriously, economics ranks alongside astrology in making accurate predictions all the best urban
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 May 11
He's giving opinions on political and social issues urban. And when he's given an opinion (prediction?) as far as I've read, he's been right on. I agree that most 'economists' are just 'fortune tellers' but Thomas Sowell seems to be a cut above. Quit being such a cynic and read some of what he's written. Or listen to some of the interviews. A blanket condemnation of all economists isn't being fair to this man.
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 May 11
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
12 May 11
The first time I ever heard him speak, I wanted him to run for president. I haven't changed my mind! Maggiepie "Yon Kenyan hath a lean & hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous." ~ Paraphrase of line from "Julius Caesar" ~ source unknown
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
12 May 11
I wonder if we could talk him into running? And who'd make a good Veep for him.... Whom would you choose? Maggiepie "Yon Kenyan hath a lean & hungry look. He thinks too much. Such men are dangerous." ~ Paraphrase of line from "Julius Caesar" ~ source unknown
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
13 May 11
Cain or West with Sowell or any combination of the three. One can be speaker, the other VP and the other Pres. And I'd like them to call ANYONE racist with a ticket like that!!!
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 May 11
He'd be great at president. We need great men in all aspects of our country, this one is quickly becoming my favorite to read. I have watched most of his videos on youtube and am going to read his articles on Townhall tomorrow. I'm learning a lot!
1 person likes this
@stary1 (6611)
• United States
12 May 11
I have read many of Sowell's articles from Townhall and really admire him!!
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 May 11
You can find interviews he did on YouTube as well, along with the one I used for this discussion he has many on camera interviews on various topics, check it out.
@stary1 (6611)
• United States
12 May 11
Thank you I will.
@dragon54u (31633)
• United States
11 May 11
I have read a lot of Sowell's articles and he makes a LOT of sense! He has a way of phrasing the issues in very down to earth language that anyone can understand, using ordinary everyday examples that we all experience. I can't wait to see what he says about the new push against banks that won't lend to people who can't afford it. The St. Louis Housing and Community Reinvestment Alliance has gotten the gov't involved (again) in trying to force banks to lend to high-risk borrowers. Isn't that how all this mess started?! I'm watching for Sowell's take on it!
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 May 11
Sounds to me like the final push over the edge into a full blown depression!
• United States
12 May 11
I have read lots of article written by sowell, he is a great man and should be role model for upcoming writter and people in that field. We all have our future to decide, let's get wise and inspired by these exeptionanlly talented people.making them our role model also helps alot, happy mylotting
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
12 May 11
Welcome Idmega! And yes, we need inspiration and talented role models. I am happy to have you here on myLot.