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[mlr]

...in principle, simply the existence of totalitarian states is an affront to democratic values. Totalitarian governments throw their political opponents into prison or kill them; they pursue genocidal policies toward their own people and try to dominate their weaker neighbors. If democratic governments are not committed to the abolition of such regimes—sooner or later, by some means or other—then their foreign policies are not worth much.

Louis Menand in a book review of George F. Kennan: An American Life by John Lewis Gaddis

Comments

[holy13nation.livejournal.com]

who might you be meaning by that?

[holy13nation.livejournal.com]

Having just read the review...what leaves the most impression is how generous he was with his misanthropy.

[mlr.livejournal.com]

I read the article on Sunday. For some reason, this sentence stayed with me. I really didn't know what to think about it. I would assume that most of my LJ friends would think the U.S.A. often blurs the line, much more so than any of the current European democracies. But it also brought to mind democracy in ancient Athens, and the practice of Ostracism. And thoughts about the elections in Egypt, and the uniform & total condemnation of Syria by the emerging Arab states.

Kennan's brother, Kent, was one of my teachers in college. In fact, he was my advisor - I got to know him very well. He was gay. Although not effeminate at all, I would see him out on occasion in Austin. He was very friendly. I remember him telling me about his attraction to male students, and how frustrating it would be to get through his day. He invited me to his New Year's eve parties for several years. There was always a fascinating mix of people at these: the students he found either attractive or interesting, and predominantly his older gay friends who had come of age during WWII. The contrast between the two generations' way of being gay was interesting. Kent was two years younger than my father. I asked him about his brother once, the response was silence, followed by a swift & friendly change of topic.

I read G.F. Kennan's memoirs in my 20s - a long time ago. The chief thing I remember are the beautiful descriptions of landscapes & cities. George Kennan wrote very fine prose, if nothing else.