David Brooks has a readable, intelligent, column today that doesn't make me scream.

[Hamlette]

The old dignity code has not survived modern life. The costs of its demise are there for all to see. Every week there are new scandals featuring people who simply do not know how to act. For example, during the first few weeks of summer, three stories have dominated public conversation, and each one exemplifies another branch of indignity.

First, there was Mark Sanford’s press conference. Here was a guy utterly lacking in any sense of reticence, who was given to rambling self-exposure even in his moment of disgrace. Then there was the death of Michael Jackson and the discussion of his life. Here was a guy who was apparently untouched by any pressure to live according to the rules and restraints of adulthood. Then there was Sarah Palin’s press conference. Here was a woman who aspires to a high public role but is unfamiliar with the traits of equipoise and constancy, which are the sources of authority and trust.

In each of these events, one sees people who simply have no social norms to guide them as they try to navigate the currents of their own passions.

Americans still admire dignity. But the word has become unmoored from any larger set of rules or ethical system.

But it’s not right to end on a note of cultural pessimism because there is the fact of President Obama. Whatever policy differences people may have with him, we can all agree that he exemplifies reticence, dispassion and the other traits associated with dignity. The cultural effects of his presidency are not yet clear, but they may surpass his policy impact. He may revitalize the concept of dignity for a new generation and embody a new set of rules for self-mastery.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/07/opinion/07brooks.html?_r=2

The only truck I have with him is that when you have good manners you can get away with anything so we should count ourselves lucky Palin and Sanford don't have any. Both could have come out better (and given that they are republicans, they still might).

[grantcart]

1. Brooks seems to be embarassed not just by Republicans but by capitalists also

We can all list the causes of its demise. First, there is capitalism. We are all encouraged to become managers of our own brand, to do self-promoting end zone dances to broadcast our own talents. Second, there is the cult of naturalism. We are all encouraged to discard artifice and repression and to instead liberate our own feelings. Third, there is charismatic evangelism with its penchant for public confession. Fourth, there is radical egalitarianism and its hostility to aristocratic manners.

[Cha]

4. Brooks nails it in so many ways..you just never

know who you're going to agree with at a certain time in space.

sanford has to remember this is our country not his church..and palin? Who knows..she may be the catalyst that finally brings down the corpooratemediawhores with all the inanity that will follow her invertebrate side show.

[Mme. Defarge]

9. This is why "vulgar"

is at the top of my list of favorite underused words.

[rosesaylavee]

2. Give him a day...

He'll get back on the GOP train shortly. He vacillates back and forth. It's his appeal to some I think.

[Cha]

3. Rec'd THis is the kind of analysis that needs to

get out there! Not mika's whining.

"But it’s not right to end on a note of cultural pessimism because there is the fact of President Obama. Whatever policy differences people may have with him, we can all agree that he exemplifies reticence, dispassion and the other traits associated with dignity. The cultural effects of his presidency are not yet clear, but they may surpass his policy impact. He may revitalize the concept of dignity for a new generation and embody a new set of rules for self-mastery."

[Uncle Joe]

5. I believe Brooks is trying to neutralize the power of the bully pulpit, because

his party and issues are on the defensive.

He's afraid of Obama and maybe some Democratic Leaders of Congress becoming passionate about justified, long overdue real change.

I believe dignity is great, but sometimes righteous emotion is needed to stoke the engine of reform.

If President Obama remains cool, professional, dignified, pragmatic and doesn't try swaying too many people; Brooks will be ecstatic but look for these same traits rightly or wrongly to be labeled as "stiff and boring" when election season rolls around.

[Hamlette]

6. You can be passionate and dignified at the same time.

He uses MLK Jr as an example of just that. MLK Jr was as responsible as anyone on earth for a huge change in this country. And he was not stiff or boring. He was dignified.

I don't trust Brooks, I don't think he is very smart, I agree with him about once every other year. I'm not drinking the kool aid. I'm just saying its nice to see some ppl on the other side once in a blue moon see through the hatred that has become the right and see things as they sort of are.

[Uncle Joe]

8. I agree with you on all counts, but most of all I agree with the bolded part.

"You can be passionate and dignified at the same time.

He uses MLK Jr as an example of just that. MLK Jr was as responsible as anyone on earth for a huge change in this country. And he was not stiff or boring. He was dignified.

I don't trust Brooks, I don't think he is very smart, I agree with him about once every other year. I'm not drinking the kool aid. I'm just saying its nice to see some ppl on the other side once in a blue moon see through the hatred that has become the right and see things as they sort of are."

I view Brooks commentary as a matter of timely emphasis based more on cold political calculation than current events and while I agree with the overall argument, I'm speaking toward my beliefs of his motivation.

[Inuca]

7. Brooks is often worth reading

He is smart and writes well. He is also an elitist, but that's a different story. You do not have to agree 100%, not even 50%, with somebody to appreciate whatthey have to say if they make you think. Nice column, indeed. ANd I think that he may not agree with Obama on much, but he definitely likes him.