Comments on: An American Dream

By: John Presnall

John Presnall — Wed, 02 May 2012 02:19:14 +0000

Loved the remark about “careerism” as a disposition of “going along to get along” in such a way that fosters collegiality and respect within a potentially hostile academic community which is nonetheless devoted to scholarly inquiry. Instead of a version of “careerism” understood as simple crass utilitarian calculation, the evidence of this interview (the cluttered office that can still find the pertinent Tocqueville reference) showed an intellect that can see truth in a way that doesn’t go along to get along in sacrifice to important truths.

I also appreciated the Gide reference to the acte gratiute in the context of a conversation over dessert at a European (“anti’) American Studies conference. Sometimes one must say what one must say even if it is the opposite of one’s own life, and even if it was seemingly unpremeditated.

At the end of the day, your remark about the Cadillac El Dorado was as gratuitous as a last second winning shot by Michael Jordan. It was there already despite the details of day to day reality. You could say it as easily as Jordan could shoot it–because it was true.

As the Brits say nowadays, this account of international scholarly and cultural interaction was “brilliant.” I hope the dessert tasted good, and that your flight back didn’t have too much turbulence.

Mr. Ceaser, hope you enjoy your new Cadillac–or as this car was called in the nomenclature of my own humble upbringing–”Caddy.”

If one can say “Jag,” “Benz,” and “Beemer,” then one can also say “Caddy.” Too bad you couldn’t find an El Dorado with faux wood grain and all that. Still, it’s good, but if you really wanted to make a statement you could have bought some 1950s/1960s Cadillac with fins.

But this act would go against the stealth, under-the-radar stance I appreciated at the beginning. So there is a conundrum in all this. Regardless, Good Job! Good post and good car.

By: fogey37

fogey37 — Wed, 02 May 2012 01:00:47 +0000

It seems to me that Terry Saran’s Father drove a Cadillac.
Now you can’t get any better then that.
f37

By: Sara

Sara — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:46:07 +0000

Zoom, zoom (though I know that’s associated with a foreign automaker).

By: John Lewis

John Lewis — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 03:11:21 +0000

Interesting. I like the look of the STS in bronze, but prefer I think the Navy Blue. It does have a great look.

Pretty Trademark driven…that just shows how fuzzy you academics are.

Cadillac of course came out with the ultimate fuzzy academic joke when it made the Hybrid Escalade (it didn’t do that badly in consumer reports)

A chicken in every pot and a Cadillac in every garage.

The civic hybrid seems like the best value. If the american dream comes with $1 gasoline, it is a different question. No one I know would look a gift Cadillac in the hood (mouth)

By: binx

binx — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 23:54:11 +0000

Yes, indeed. Pacino and Depp approve.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nc42tliHDE

By: Carl Eric Scott

Carl Eric Scott — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 22:19:17 +0000

Alright, Jim, purty cool…now you just need the tunes! For starters:

“Cadillac Boogie” Jimmy Liggins http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEPnemNpZL4

I’m also muy partial to this one:

“C-A-D-I-L-L-A-C” the Downliners Sect
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xK-fLrh2ySM

Can’t think of any appropriate classical pieces, however.