A little more than a quarter of a century has passed since the inauguration of President Ronald Reagan. Throughout the last 27 years, America has witnessed the triumph of neoconservatism, a movement that uses fundamentalist Christianity, militarism and a free market ideology to combat the dangers seen through their dualistic lens.
Perhaps in 2005 it could have been said that, had he lived another year, Reagan would likely applaud the effects of his and his successors market-rule policies. The housing boom was well underway, as was globalization.
The rising violence in the occupied nation of Iraq and the increasingly unstable nature of its democracy did not affect the neoconservatives. They remained steadfast in their belief in the imminent ?democratic peace?, their version of the Marxist world revolution.
However, by 2008, Reagan would probably stop applauding. Currently, more than two thirds of Americans ?disapprove? of the Iraq War, a conflict born out of the Wilsonian goal of spreading liberal democracy.
Our gross national debt is approaching $10 trillion, while our gross domestic product is $13.86 trillion. Neoconservatism will soon be on its knees, if it is not already.
Speaking in 1987, Ronald Reagan claimed: ?America astonished the world. Chicago School economics, supply-side economics, call it what you will ? I noticed that it was even known as Reaganomics at one point until it started working ? all of it is fast becoming orthodoxy. It?s not just that Milton Friedman or Friedrich von Hayek or George Stigler have won Nobel Prizes; other younger names, unheard of a few years ago, are now also celebrated.?
It is the negative effects of neoconservative policy that are likely to last for decades, and credit given to Reagan is already long overdue.
Andrew Rurik • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
It was only a matter of time.
My only regret is not getting told about this so I could come help!
Casuga, you have taken the reins well. My continued support in your tenure as the Webmaster.
Mitzie Scelzi • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
David, I had no idea you were so “tacky.”
Ashlyn Key • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
I did not think that tape could hold a person to a wall. I guess I was wrong. This was very fun to watch. I am glad I was there. haha.
Suzanna Quiring • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
David,
As your editor and biggest fan, I just have to say that you totally rock. Our taping you to the wall was a genuine gesture of love. 🙂 I hope it was as fun for you as it was for us (I suspect it was).
You are the most awesome webmaster ever, and I love you man. Couldn’t do it without you.
Suzanna
Logan Rood • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
I heard about this but didn’t think they were serious! I absolutly love this! I’m sad I didn’t get to see it happen.
Julianne King • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
David, we only taped you on the wall because friends are supposed to join in together and laugh…even if we were laughing at you!
Thanks for being such a great sport about it!
Rainey Hayes • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
When we first brought up the idea of duct taping David to the wall, I was excited but at the same time, I did not think it would actually happen. We also tried to put together a duct tape David party last year, but it never happened.
Spending lunch and most of seventh duct taping him to the wall was so much fun!
Trying to get him down was another challenge. We had to be sure not to cut his skin or clothes. We ended up cutting his clothes a little bit. It was so much fun and I cannot wait to do it again! David would probably never let us do it again… but he is a small person, we can take him.
If David does not let us do it again, we will have to find another victim. Any volunteers?
Amanda Edwards • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
This is absolutely hilarious! So bummed I missed this. David, you’re a good sport! 🙂
Nick Avery • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
So I gave my shoes to David a couple of weeks ago because he really liked them and I thought they’d go to good use. Unfortunatly, that’s no longer the case. After being covered with duct tape for the lunch period and most of 7th, I am now sufficiently certain that they reek of tape adhesive and will never be used again.
Ignoring this fact, it brought me great joy to sit around at lunch and watch my friend of 4 years being fastened to a wall. Way to go David!
David Casuga • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
Yes, this was truly quite a proud day for webmasters everywhere. What would Andrew or Matthew say if they saw me like this?
Laura Casuga • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
Well, I can see that all the money I spend to provide my child with a quality private education isn’t going to waste . . . 🙂
I have the best son ever! What a good sport! I know it’s weird to say that I’m proud my son was duct taped to a wall, but what makes it true is the fact that everyone who participated did so with such a sense of love and community, and by sacrificing his body in the name of duct tape, David helped a really unique moment in the life of the school come to fruition. This is one lunch time prank that’s not likely to be forgotten anytime soon.
You’re a phenomenal webmaster David, and I’m so proud of you!
Victoria Hindes • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
Now I can truly say our school is different! Lunch was probably the best ever.
Thanks David for being such a great sport!
john tombeck • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
That was pretty sweet.
Gigi Thao • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
No worries, we supported this full on and even cheered while you were being duck- taped.
We’re only your friends. To bad it wasn’t in the different duck tape colors though.
Elise Porter • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
This was probably one of the most entertaining lunch periods ever. I really enjoyed taping David to a wall. Props to David for being such a good sport!
Alex Tedeschi • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
Hah 🙂 David is pretty awesome to do this with a smile on his face! Fun idea for us and David to enjoy!
Mary Hierholzer • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
David, you know we love you! I’ve been telling you this all day because I feel guilty for participating in the taping… but come on, it was SO FUN! This was for sure the highlight of a rather dull week back at school!
Such good memories indeed. I love how many people showed up to watch and help out with it. It’s great that we were even allowed to do this- and better yet, it was lead by a teacher! Our school is awesome!
Anyways, David, we did this because we love you. You are so vital and important to The Feather- without you, we really wouldn’t have an online paper, you keep things going!
You’re a great Webmaster, David!
Matthew Adams • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
This is too good; yeah for David!
Lisa Lumeya • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
That’s hilarious…I thought they were kidding. I can’t believe it actually happened!
Sydney Carlson • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
David, that was one of the most amazing school memories EVER! Oh, by the way, I did put it in the yearbook 😛
Hoi-Ting Wu • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
That’s really cool.
I haven’t never seen someone was happy when he/she taped on wall! haha
Though it is really interesting activity in school.
Danielle St. Marie • Apr 21, 2010 at 6:57 am
Way to be a team player, David! It was a lot of fun to see you taped up on the wall and being feed Ritz crackers from various people. By the way, I like the crown: ‘David the Great’!