"And gradually, though no one remembers exactly how it happened, the unthinkable becomes tolerable. And then acceptable. And then legal. And then applaudable." — Joni Eareckson Tada
Thankyou Sir. Clearly stated. I would add, your argument also fits the age old political cry supporting the latest lame brained legislation by decreeing " if it only saves one life...".
Seeing that you read James Taranto back in the day helps explain why you and I agree on so much and your writing style. Taranto’s “Best of the Web Today” was my go to every morning back then; as today it is your writing, Jeff Childers (C &C) as well as James Howard Kunstler. Brilliant, incisive, and Christ Honoring. Thank you!
This is how systems break—not with one dramatic decision, but through a steady drip of exceptions that quietly rewrite the rules everyone else has to live under. What gets sold as compassion in isolated cases becomes policy in practice, and policy, once normalized, reshapes behavior whether anyone intended it or not. The danger isn’t the exception itself—it’s the refusal to follow the logic of where that exception leads when repeated at scale. Because systems don’t respond to intentions, they respond to incentives. And when those incentives shift, reality shifts with them, often in ways the original advocates never anticipated, but everyone else is forced to live with.
Outstanding explanation of how we got to accept the exceptions to the rule! As for the AFDC connection...you are so on point and NO ONE else ever says that out loud! It is so true and accurate! We need to be more "authentic" in our words and in our lives. Thank you for your wisdom and willingness to speak.
"And gradually, though no one remembers exactly how it happened, the unthinkable becomes tolerable. And then acceptable. And then legal. And then applaudable." — Joni Eareckson Tada
Thankyou Sir. Clearly stated. I would add, your argument also fits the age old political cry supporting the latest lame brained legislation by decreeing " if it only saves one life...".
Seeing that you read James Taranto back in the day helps explain why you and I agree on so much and your writing style. Taranto’s “Best of the Web Today” was my go to every morning back then; as today it is your writing, Jeff Childers (C &C) as well as James Howard Kunstler. Brilliant, incisive, and Christ Honoring. Thank you!
This is how systems break—not with one dramatic decision, but through a steady drip of exceptions that quietly rewrite the rules everyone else has to live under. What gets sold as compassion in isolated cases becomes policy in practice, and policy, once normalized, reshapes behavior whether anyone intended it or not. The danger isn’t the exception itself—it’s the refusal to follow the logic of where that exception leads when repeated at scale. Because systems don’t respond to intentions, they respond to incentives. And when those incentives shift, reality shifts with them, often in ways the original advocates never anticipated, but everyone else is forced to live with.
Outstanding explanation of how we got to accept the exceptions to the rule! As for the AFDC connection...you are so on point and NO ONE else ever says that out loud! It is so true and accurate! We need to be more "authentic" in our words and in our lives. Thank you for your wisdom and willingness to speak.