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Title: Christine O'Donnell's 'Oxford' Tutor Speaks Out: 'Intelligent,' 'A Joy To Have'
Source:
TPMDC
URL Source: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/ ... -intelligent-a-joy-to-have.php
Published: Oct 2, 2010
Author: Christina Bellantoni
Post Date: 2010-10-02 23:34:43 by Hondo68
Keywords: in Oxford, C.S. Lewis, intellectual and philosophical
Views: 52203
Comments: 103
When she attended a Phoenix Institute program in 2001, Christine O'Donnell was "a joy to have," her former tutor says. Bruce W. Griffin is speaking out on his former student, and says that O'Donnell would "add intellectual and philosophical depth" to the United States Senate should she win in November. O'Donnell, the Republican nominee for Senate in Delaware, has represented herself as attending Oxford University on at least one and potentially many more occasions. Griffin, an instructor and not a professor, wrote a detailed blog item saying that O'Donnell's thesis on cloning stood out in his mind as "one of the two best papers written for me that summer." It's a relevant topic given that O'Donnell defeated Rep. Mike Castle in last month's Republican primary in part by telling evangelical voters he supported human cloning because he backs embryonic stem cell research. In addition to using the line on the campaign trail, O'Donnell supporters at phone banks read from a script provided by the Tea Party Express that pushed the cloning claim. Griffin sent TPM his blog post detailing the three-week Phoenix Institute program focused on the "intellectual alternatives to the philosophical morass of postmodern moral relativism." Their text: C.S. Lewis' 1944 The Abolition of Man. He said it was a summer job to do "a tutorial at Oxford on postmodernism and natural law." "Christine O'Donnell was a joy to have in the tutorials: intelligent, engaged, dynamic, good with questions and interested in ideas" he wrote. Griffin, who once wrote O'Donnell a recommendation to an Ivy league grad school, wrote up a full endorsement that he considers the course equivalent to "any graduate school at any university." From his posting: Christine O'Donnell would bring to the US Senate a deepened commitment to the philosophical convictions of the Founding Fathers at a time when the philosophical bankruptcy of too many leaders is mirrored in the economic bankruptcy of the federal government. She would surely add intellectual and philosophical depth to a Senate that at this point in its history badly needs both. The title of Griffin's blog "Christine O'Donnell at Oxford" might suggest he believes that the Phoenix program was affiliated even though a Phoenix representative has told reporters that suggesting the two are linked is "misleading." Here's how Griffin explains it: In a followup interview, Griffin told TPM the Phoenix program was definitely not an Oxford course, but that it was more than just renting space at Oxford. "Our lecturers were drawn heavily from the Oxford faculty, and the opportunity to hear those lecturers was a critical reason for why our students came," he said. FEC records show Griffin donated in 2008 to the McCain campaign but does not appear to be politically involved. He attended Liberty University for his bachelors degree and earned a degree in Jewish Studies at Oxford. Griffin is a doctorate candidate in Classics at Lincoln College, Oxford and currently teaches theology at Ave Maria University in Nicaragua. Read his posting in full here. TPM did a brief interview with Griffin via email. He said he believes the press has long slanted coverage favorably toward Democrats and that there's an attempt to paint O'Donnell as an "uneducated yahoo." "[T]he tendency to slot O'Donnell into this stereotype is both unfortunate and untrue," he said. He also raised O'Donnell's rival Chris Coons (D) and his Yale thesis, a conservative meme that David Weigel debunked here. Coons addressed the "bearded Marxist" line from his thesis during his first debate with O'Donnell. Griffin said the old video clips of O'Donnell are "irrelevant" and seem to take on an anti-Catholic subtext. "Her statements on homosexuality and masturbation don't seem to differ in any respect from the Catechism of the Catholic Church," Griffin said. "I'd be sorry to think that acceptance of those beliefs was a legitimate cause for scorn and ridicule in a political campaign." He said Irish Catholics have long been discriminated against and added, "As of 2010, the number of African-Americans to become president and the number of Irish Catholics to become president is exactly the same: one."
Poster Comment: Casting pearls before the swine, trying to bring intellectual and philosophical depth to the Senate. It's worth a try though.
The course we did that summer in Oxford is nearly a decade old, but the basic issues we addressed are eternal. Today, too many of the Republic's leaders have abandoned the natural law tradition of the Declaration of Independence for a murky moral relativism--a relativism that is both destructive of democratic values and philosophically bankrupt.
Although we were never an Oxford University course, we drew heavily on the faculties of Oxford and Cambridge for our lectures. The organizers had put together a star-studded cast of lecturers, and partly as a result we drew students from Latin America, the US, and Europe.
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#63. To: Murron (#62)
Really, so the honest discussion of issues here doesn't interest you?
And now there are lots of people posting. Sounds like a healthy, happy, and growing forum. Thank you AK and Murron, for keeping the lights on.
You're welcome hondo, but we had quite a few other's who helped.
"I really wanna care. I wanna feel somethin'. Let me dig a little deeper:. No, My give-a-damn's busted"~ Messina Jo Dee
Until a bunch of us got banned by Jethro Tull at 4um, mainly for daring to disagree with him, no one was posting here much.... including Badeye. Stone went for weeks without even posting at his own site. War creates a sense of deviseness that attracts other posters. Stone banned his poster magnet.
Wrong again, ming.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
You're wrong again.
Bullshit. DwarF is a statist shill, pure and simple. He LOVES the police- state, and gyrates wildly (and ridiculously) to justify any and every outrage that the police-state inflicts on us mundanes. If I were to guess, I'd imagine he was bozoed as much (if not more) than any other poster here, or at LP. Justifiably so. If he's gone...? Then GOOD. Then I can make room on my bozo list. Let him go back to DU(h) and tell them he FAILED.
Getting tired of the bozoed calcon following me around on the 'net, wanting to discuss "tossing salad." Sorry, you sick rump-ranger. NOT interested.
If I were to guess, I'd imagine he was bozoed as much (if not more) than any other poster here, or at LP. Heh it's just my opinion and based on some short term forum stats. You can bozo me too if you want, I hear there's a slot opened up.
The fact he's done the same dance on multiple websites for the past decade in tens of thousands of posts can't be denied. Hell, I'm still waiting for him to sue me (chuckle) Or show up here.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Yeah, there's another slot... but I don't see any reason why YOU should be on the list. While we disagree on occasion, it's clear that you believe what you say, and are direct in HOW you say it. DwarF, OTOH, has no moral core. Which makes him the worst of all people... He can justify ANYTHING, if it gets him what he wants.
Getting tired of the bozoed calcon following me around on the 'net, wanting to discuss "tossing salad." Sorry, you sick rump-ranger. NOT interested.
mining, did war and fred get banned today????
Why does capitalist erica have such a fixation on me? I'm straight, have a job, not homeless and can go within 500 yds of a school. I therefore have nothing in common with erica
Another Free Speech board inches toward echo chamber.
I don't actually know anything more about war other than what Badeye has posted. I have no idea about Fred.
It's all about midterm elections and persuading five posters to fall in line. Too funny.
It's all about midterm elections and persuading five posters to fall in line. Too funny. Delusions of grandeur.
All I know about it I read up above on this thread. Hae no idea about Freddie. I do know both have issues with forum owners and eventually end up banned. No surprise Stone got fed up with their personal attacks on himself. You come into somebody's forum, and shit on their rug, eventually they'll throw you out.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Hae no idea about Freddie. I do know both have issues with forum owners and eventually end up banned. No surprise Stone got fed up with their personal attacks on himself. You come into somebody's forum, and shit on their rug, eventually they'll throw you out. You 'conservatives' need to take Stone under your wings and teach him to toughen up especially when he starts the flame which is almost 100% of the time. Afterall you guys have a revolution to fight and will need every friendly you can get your hands on.
Is there any reason for this post? Sheesh, ming.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
You're funny.
Chuckles...here's a link to the thread in which you allegedly bozo'd me even tho my number never went up and you responded to me several times thereafter...later you responded, incorreectly, of course, to a point I made about inflation, deflation and velocity... As anyone can see, I simply asked you to explain the chart that you were posting. You couldn't. But it is duly noted how you and Boofers' balls got extremely large in my "absence". They may now shrink back to their normal size. And back on bozo Boofer goes...
Chuckles...here's a link to the thread in which you allegedly bozo'd me even tho my number never went up and you responded to me several times thereafter...later you responded, incorreectly, of course, to a point I made about inflation, deflation and velocity... As anyone can see, I simply asked you to explain the chart that you were posting. You couldn't. But it is duly noted how you and Boofers' balls got extremely large in my "absence". They may now shrink back to their normal size. And back on bozo Boofer goes...
I am now unsuspended. I questioned Goldi Jr. as to why he edited out your remarks in reply #28 on this thread. Then he started deleting my remarks like a little school girl - and that ticked me off to no end. I suppose I'll have to accept Goldi Jr. for what he is and drive on.
C'mon...we have more free speech here than at any other site...just look at his home page...and if that doesn't convince you, just ask him. /sarc
I wouldn't allow him to delete my comments. The last I saw this was USA not USSR... he has the power of "moderator" and I understand that. I have the power of my convictions. I had those before I posted here and I will take them with me when I no longer do.
Hey Muddbutt...I took you off bozo to ask you a question...over at The Queef they have you listed as a "hero member"; when, where and how did you serve?
I wonder if it means heroic poster. Is boof a hero over there?
I work hard to prevent them from brainwashing me ... and stay with hard science and SciFi as much as possible .... Goldi-Lox
Yep... He is in his in mind as well, btw...Dark Knights on the Indian Ocean watching PO's get sucked into the prop wash of jet engines while waiting for the "GO" order on a crisis that had passed a year earlier hardened Boofer into the bass lipped man that he is today... BTW, if it weren't for MuddButt bumping up his vanity thread, The Queef would be three posters commenting upon Hillary's hairstyles... Oh, and Boofer is listed as an "Advisor" too...now we know where het gets his fashion cents...
IIRC Mudbot didn't serve but his dad served in the Navy. If my memory is wrong, so be it.
lol, great summary.
I work hard to prevent them from brainwashing me ... and stay with hard science and SciFi as much as possible .... Goldi-Lox
Maybe boof is his dad?
I work hard to prevent them from brainwashing me ... and stay with hard science and SciFi as much as possible .... Goldi-Lox
I ask because I, too, am certain that he had told me that he did not serve.
I'm sure he loves that title. Good way to fall asleep, though -- having him advise you.
I work hard to prevent them from brainwashing me ... and stay with hard science and SciFi as much as possible .... Goldi-Lox
Stream of conscience...
He also has an eyeball logo with what appears to be some eye snot on it. Get it? Some creative mind, that Boofer...
It would certainly explain that weird tic...
Everybody who has over 100 or 500 posts is automatically named as a "hero member"... "Devolve Power Outta the Federal Leviathan and Back to the States, Amazing the kooks don't know what this reveals about themselves, isn't it? Neither of them are members there...nor will they be allowed entry. Yet they go there as 'guests' just to look up my posts...(laughing) Oh well. Kooks r funny.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Geezus Nudge...you do that in a day with self-bumps...
Did your dad serve?
Boofer AND Nudge must be the Bilbo and Frodo of the Internets...
btw, welcome back freddie.
Obama's first all-by-his-lonesome budget, btw, calls for a $1.17 trillion deficit.
Watching you flounder is fun....
#64. To: Murron, A K A Stone (#62)
About 18 months ago it was only Murron posting here with articles staying on the side bar for months
#65. To: hondo68 (#64)
(Edited)
Thank you AK and Murron, for keeping the lights on.
#66. To: hondo68, badeye, war, A K A Stone (#64)
And now there are lots of people posting. Sounds like a healthy, happy, and growing forum.
#67. To: mininggold (#66)
#68. To: Badeye (#67)
Wrong again, ming.
#69. To: mininggold (#66)
War creates a sense of deviseness that attracts other posters.
#70. To: Capitalist Eric (#69)
(Edited)
Bullshit. DwarF is a statist shill, pure and simple. He LOVES the police- state, and gyrates wildly (and ridiculously) to justify any and every outrage that the police-state inflicts on us mundanes.
#71. To: Capitalist Eric (#69)
#72. To: mininggold (#70)
Heh it's just my opinion and based on some short term forum stats. You can bozo me too if you want, I hear there's a slot opened up.
#73. To: mininggold (#63)
#74. To: A K A Stone (#50)
#75. To: calcon, badeye, Fred Mertz, war (#73)
mining, did war and fred get banned today????
#76. To: Bartcoprules (#74)
Another Free Speech board inches toward echo chamber.
#77. To: mininggold (#76)
#78. To: mininggold (#75)
#79. To: Badeye, AKA Stone (#78)
All I know about it I read up above on this thread.
#80. To: mininggold (#79)
#81. To: Abu el Banat (#57)
#82. To: Capitalist Eric, Boofer (#72)
DwarF, OTOH, has no moral core. Which makes him the worst of all people... He can justify ANYTHING, if it gets him what he wants.
#83. To: Capitalist Eric, Boofer (#72)
(Edited)
DwarF, OTOH, has no moral core. Which makes him the worst of all people... He can justify ANYTHING, if it gets him what he wants.
#84. To: mininggold (#75)
I have no idea about Fred.
#85. To: Fred Mertz (#84)
#86. To: mininggold (#75)
(Edited)
#87. To: Mudboy Slim (#51)
(Edited)
#88. To: war (#87)
#89. To: Abu el Banat (#88)
(Edited)
Queef w
Is boof a hero over there?
#90. To: war (#87)
#91. To: war (#89)
#92. To: Fred Mertz (#90)
#93. To: Fred Mertz (#90)
#94. To: war (#89)
Boofer is listed as an "Advisor" too
#95. To: Abu el Banat (#91)
#96. To: Abu el Banat (#94)
(Edited)
#97. To: Abu el Banat (#92)
Maybe boof is his dad?
#98. To: war (#87)
It has nothing to do with military service...MUD
Localities, and Individuals as Prescribed in the US Constitution."
#99. To: Mudboy Slim (#98)
#100. To: Mudboy Slim (#98)
Everybody who has over 100 or 500 posts is automatically named as a "hero member"...
#101. To: Mudboy Slim (#98)
#102. To: Fred Mertz (#101)
(Edited)
Everybody who has over 100 or 500 posts is automatically named as a "hero member"... It has nothing to do with military service...MUD
#103. To: Fred Mertz (#101)
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