Skip to main content

The John Adams Society

Sandy Nelson

Chairman

Tom Dahlberg

Secretary

G. Larry Colson Jr.

Chief Whip

Marina Wolff

Chancellor

October 2019

Location: Burger Moe's

Date: Wednesday, October 23, 2019

"[The] correspondence theory of truth…has been as conclusively refuted as any theory can be."

― Alasdair MacIntyre


WE ARE NOW LIVING in an age of overtly extreme politics. The invocation of Reason and Science by both the left and right has failed to produce any viable center. The myth of universal reason has been a whisper in a hurricane of ideology and unconstrained rhetoric. Alternative realities as alternative facts and values are the inexorable product of competing rules for using language correctly. The postmodern age has overwhelmed both the left and the right. There is no dialogue, there is no conversation, there is no debate, there is no ‘common sense.’ There are just incommensurate vocabularies in a permanent state of war.

In the absence of universal reason, the common man sees morally impoverished clowns on the left and jokers (see Trump) on the right. All of their cultural and political claims are bereft of authority.

ON THE OTHER HAND, democracy may be regarded as not just a source of authority, but a form of it. The people are the only form of authority which has not become a clown and a joker. The voice of the people is the voice of God. The democratic authority of the people is the only form of authority left in the postmodern age and must be embraced by anyone on the right and left who intends to make cultural and political “progress.”

The Chairwoman, who suspects the Secretary is just a joker, has called for a debate to settle the question:

RESOLVED: Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right.

The Debate will be held on October 23, 2019 at Burger Moe’s, 242 7th St. W, St. Paul MN 55102.

The Chancellor will preside over drinks beginning at seven o’clock p.m. The debate will begin at half past seven. There is no dress code, however gentlemen who wish to speak must wear a tie; ladies are encouraged to adhere to a similar sartorial standard. For those gentlemen arriving sans tie yet wishing to discourse on the resolution, the Purveyor of Ties will keep on hand several remarkable selections.

In addition, the Chairman encourages all to join him as early as 6:30 pm for a bite to eat. Let us thank Burger Moe's for the use of their room in the most sincere way possible -- by spending our money. God Bless Free Enterprise!
Questions regarding debate caucus procedures or about the John Adams Society itself may be directed to the Chairman at (612) 968-3493 or the Secretary at (952) 237-3096.