Conservatism As Urine

John Cole gets mad at me for airing discussion of conservatism as a philosophical temperament and political theory. He calls this post

narcissistic self-referential babble about the nature of conservatism.

I just want to point out (as John concedes) that I refer to these discussions precisely because they highlight how far contemporary American conservatism has strayed from the political tradition founded by Burke. I'm not seeking ways to excuse or deny what has happened to what is now called conservatism in America. I'm insisting that the real conservative tradition continue to be understood and respected.