72 Degrees

Obama recently stated the following: "We can't drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times ... and then just expect that other countries are going to say OK...."

Break out the charts because we'll need 'em to break down just how much is wrong with this statement. In essence, it boils down to is this: They won't like us. And? What's your point? What's your argument?

Won't like us!? By what standard?

The standard of judgment of "other countries" matters. If you care about what the death-worshippers, the dictators, the statists and their ilk think, if you embrace their standard of judgment, you're doomed spiritually let alone existentially. If you care what the best among them think—i.e., the freest, the bravest, if you embrace their standard of judgment, then you embrace man's life qua rational animal, you value the highest degree of comfort man's reason can afford you—e.g., 72 degrees all the time, all the food you need, etc.

As a contrast to the feeble ideas (or lack thereof) behind Obama's statement, Objectivist philosopher Harry Binswanger reminded me via his email list of the spirit of another era, an era we ought to emulate—the era that gave birth to Cyrano de Bergerac. In particular, he cited Cyrano's famous "No thank you" speech. While I could not find a transcription, I found this excellent rendition of the scene.

Note: I made a point of finding a scene that is based on Brian Hooker's translation. I've never seen another other translation that is anywhere near the poetry of Hooker's fine work. If you know of one, please let me know.

In the meantime, keep the spirit of Cyrano alive in your mind and your heart.