Thanks for the enlightening comment. Since the second half of 2012, I've become much more aware of my classical liberal instincts, moving away from radically libertarians positions and closer to doable efforts at supporting freedom. Inevitably, my perception of politics has changed - regarding it as something that we need to engage in, rather than writing it off as an intrinsically evil activity. Wearing new glasses, it is interesting to revisit and judge anew political characters such as Sarah Palin.

I am totally excited about your candidacy. No idea, how many Nebraskans live in K-Town, may be a couple of hundred (with the number of Americans in the area approaching 60K); anyway, I hope they all vote for you - and if there is any way I can support your Campaign over here, just let me know.

Thanks, Ed, for your interesting and encouraging comment. I have not yet studied the article that you recommend, just browsed it a moment ago in the most superficial way. I am looking forward to a more thorough reading of the text, soon. Emergent order as the basis of a free society (or more precisely an increasingly free society, as there is no such thing as an ideal state or end state of freedom), I think, is perfectly compatible with the notion of a supreme power embracing us in its mercy.

Ed, I share your reserved reception of T.S. Eliot's work - I had to acquaint myself with him somewhat. The first college I attended in England was named after him; a wonderful building constructed to serve as a prison, only to be used as one of the red-brick universities that popped up all over the UK in the 60s. It's nice to live in a prison that isn't a prison and that you can leave anytime you wish, especially if you have a preference for small, cell-like rooms, as I do. Theodore Dalrymple spent a large part of his life in prison, as a doctor. He and his most charming wife were the first people I met when I arrived at Bodrum, Turkey, in September 2012. Norman Stone (the historian of the World Wars) and the three of us spent the most genial, warm summer evening together.

Go, Laura, go!!!!

Good to hear from you, Ed. I hope you're doing fine. As for "outrageous slings and arrows", I'm not that exposed. The real hero is Laura Ebke. Good thing, she's accepting the challenge of running for Legislature in Nebraska.

Ed, I entirely agree with you. I even seem to remember the last sentence I had written and finally taken out of the post, as I felt otherwise I would have to add too many qualifications for a post that was meant to be a news breaker with one core message in it (also considering the punchhline of my favourite NSA joke - see below). The eliminated phrase must have read something like this: "I am not familiar enough with this tricky and complicated case to offer anything like a final pronouncement on it - but Snowden's courageous revelation of serious governmental abuse should be a major consideration in judging the overall case." Also, I am not knowledgeable enough about the issue to seriously discuss at this point the possibility that regrettable collateral damage to American foreign or military interests may be reasonably judged to be of lesser weight than the damage done to American society. But I expect, as the commendable reaction of some of the left seems to indicate, Snowden has already introduced a new paradigm (considering societal and constitutional impact too, rather than merely isolated deeds and cases of damage) to the way in which his case is to be dealt with. I am glad, Ed, you brought up your points. A discussion that ignores your above concerns would be seriously deficient and even dangerous. PS I am not good at telling jokes, but not only did I make up this one myself, whenever I tell it, people laugh heartily. The other day a friend asked me about "the NSA thing". To which I replied: "I like the NSA." Shocked reaction: "You what? You like the NSA?" "Yes, I do - they're the only ones who read my posts."

Superb post, Laura. I have felt strongly attracted to your political aura ever since I met you first in 2007. I am proud and thankful to have been able to accompany you since then. It has been a most enriching experience - and not only one of agreement and disagreement, but of pivotal development. You represent and live as a person a wonderful tradition unavailable to me in Germany; by knowing you I have been able to grow from sharing in that great American tradition. I am looking forward to more.

Oh dear, Laura. I'm not at all into long distance travel. My distaste of the long haul flight is directly proportional to the distance to be covered in that manner so unaccustomed to the human biped. To convince me of the ordeal's need, it would take an unusually worthwhile enterprise - like coming over to Lincoln to tell people how lucky they are to be able to vote for you. I completely lack any feelings of "Fernweh", literally: far-sickness (hankering for the distant) - "Heimweh" is the German term for home-sickness, which latter still grips me almost like it did when I was a child, especially at the first night of staying somewhere away from home. No, I cherish the richness of my immediate surroundings - warum in die Ferne schweifen, wenn das Gute liegt so nah? Why roam the far, when there is so much good in the near. I suppose, the ability to appreciate the local environment in its plentiful qualities is another thing that makes us congenial.

Laura, if there were more candidates like you, people would vote in larger numbers for small government.

I am totally clueless - you seem to be referring to something only someone living in America understands. Please explain. Incidentally, I am working on the promised reply to your very perceptive comment here: http://redstateeclectic.typepad.com/redstate_commentary/2013/12/enculturated-poverty.html

You are making three excellent points in your above remark which deserve a reply, and in fact, inspire me to hatch some interesting thoughts. (1) anarchic mise en scène (2) liberty as a expositive and prescriptive process rather than simply a universe of proscriptions (3) we must be very careful to avoid devolving into a system consisting only of situational ethics and/or moral relativism I'll come back to that. However, I don't have the time to answer right now; at any rate, it will be advantageous to let your suggestions settle and mature in me. So, I intend to come back to them in future posts - if you will bear with me. Also, you have two more good posts up at your A View from the Middle Border. They too inspire me to a reaction - but again, that will have to wait.

Thank you for contributing this observant and sagacious poem. I like it a lot. It's realistic and true, and unlike many things that are realistic and true, it's also funny. With sentiment to it, as well. By the way, the event alluded to above was the Coronation of Napoleon I:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronation_of_Napoleon_I

Ed, to have in you a careful and discerning reader means a lot to me. Thank you ever so much for your attention and your thoughts.

Incidentally, here is something Oakeshott wrote on Hegel: http://archive.spectator.co.uk/article/6th-february-1971/17/michael-oakeshott-on-marx-on-hegel

Okay - I have recovered somewhat. Telegraphic style and only the absolute essence of that one million word essay that disappeared into nirvana: Ed, with your above remark, you may well have put your finger on something very intriguing. The last quote in the above post is missing one sentence, which holds a bit of a shocker for you and me - at least I have never had a good opinion of the German gentleman mentioned below. "And political scepticism was recalled from its unnatural alliance with the politics of Natural Rights, not by the criticism of Bentham (which was never quite critical enough), but by the genius of Burke and Hegel." BANG! And there's got to be something to it. Oakeshott is truthful and accurate - and a libertarian-conservative, into the bargain. Now, let me very carefully copy the comment, to make sure it does not dissolve into nothingness.

I am going mad; I just sent a lengthy reply to your comment - and it disappeared into nirvana. I have to recover from this disappointment, before I come back to you.

Incredible. I have never seen anything like it before. Almost 9 minutes of most enjoyable entertainment.

Ed: I am overjoyed to hear from you. Thanks ever so much for your appreciative words. I have no right to complain about the poor resonance to my posts, but it sure is uplifting to read encouraging words from a cultured and discerning reader. A slim volume by Deepak Lal, Unintended Consequences, gives a fuller account of the papal revolutions and the bifurcation between the West and the Rest. As a student of liberty, my main interest presently is in understanding the real place of freedom in history and the contemporary world - as opposed to the stylised models so popular amongst many libertarians, who do the cause of liberty a great disservice by their retreat into a world of black and white. By contrast, consider my http://redstateeclectic.typepad.com/redstate_commentary/2013/02/the-blue-gravel-walk-of-freedom.html I find the work of Michael Oakeshott exceedingly helpful in the task of placing liberty more accurately in the real world. However, avoid, at least for starters, his "On Human Conduct," his last and most popular, though ridiculously hard to read book. Instead, help yourself to the treat of "Lectures in the History of Political Thought." Best regards Georg Thomas

Oh, ohhh, what have we got here? http://foodbeast.com/2013/10/16/popcorn-butter-hack/

I love popcorn too. However, they are as dangerous - to me - as Gummibärchen (gummy bear): I can't stop eating the stuff until the entire supply is gone. http://www.spiegel.de/international/business/former-haribo-leader-hans-riegel-dies-at-90-a-928034.html#ref=rss

My first computer experience was with the Apple Macintosh in 1985, I believe. It felt like a miracle. I totally loved it.

Must be a wonderful place.

"Sorry, I just started hearing really loud circus music in my head. What did you say?" "Shut happens." Gotta look this serial up on YouTube. A libertarian hero on TV - we don't know anything comparable in Germany.

I am glad to hear your campaigning is going well. I want you to win. You are much needed. Your political success takes precedence over many things, rightly, least of which is this blog. All the more, it's a joy to see you come back to RSE with your great way of writing and your wonderful observations and ideas.