Archive for 4/10/2003

Alexis de Tocqueville’s interpetation of “self-interest rightly understood.”

Apr 10th

Posted by David Veksler in General

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I am writing a paper on Alexis de Tocqueville’s interpetation of “self-interest rightly understood.” I will post the link to it tonight, but meanwhile, here is food for thought:

I do not think, on the whole, that there is more selfishness among us than in America; the only difference is that there it is enlightened, here it is not. Each American knows when to sacrifice some of his private interests to save the rest; we want to save everything, and often we lose it all. Everybody I see about me seems bent on teaching his contemporaries, by precept and example, that what is useful is never wrong. Will nobody undertake to make them understand how what is right may be useful?

– Alexis de Tocqueville, Democracy in America
(Update: here it is.)

‘United Nations Holds ‘Grand Re-Opening’ Event’

Apr 10th

Posted by David Veksler in General

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The New, Improved U.N: As Relevant As Ever

(2003-04-09) — U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan announced today that the United Nations will hold a "grand re-opening" event later this month to "let the world know we’re still in business."

Mr. Annan said that the unified global body is as relevant as ever, and looks forward to doing some important things.

"It’s like we’re re-launching the product," he said. "We’ve been here all along, but we may have slipped from top-of-mind awareness. We want to make the U.N. a leading brand again."

A massive advertising campaign will precede the re-opening celebration, featuring the slogan: "The United Nations: We Put the "s" in Revolution."

The event is scheduled to take place at the U.N.’s recently renovated Baghdad offices.
(Thanks to ScrappleFace)