Dark Day

Today marks one of the darkest days in European history. While the storming of the Bastille was not itself that significant of an event, it has come to symbolize the whole kit and kaboodle of the French Revolution. While there were undoubtedly some problems with the governance of the Royal family, they were trivial compared to the various bloodbaths that followed as direct consequences of the "Hopey, Hopey, Changey, Changey" of its day, not to mention the irreparable damage that has been done to the moral, civil and intellectual fabric of the French people (from which they might never recover as a people).

Tempted as we might be to smile on the foolishness of crowds, the madness of the common, and the hijinx of the rabble, it is important that we remember on this day that ideas have consequences.

In some ways we have the advantage of a society that offers many amusements to the agitated masses: Michael Jackson's life and death, American Idol, etc. Perhaps had the Sun King used his baroque displays to dazzle the commoners and not just potentially threatening nobles his successors would not have had the problems they had.

So, while we should shudder at the very notion of any sort of populism, whether it be Rock the Vote or the guillotine (because ultimately they are one), we should also remember that "Apres moi la deluge" is not an acceptable idea in a leader.