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I'm just now getting around to looking at Damon Linker's expose book on the Theocons, so's I can find out what those First Things folks are really like. I discover that Neuhaus early developed a "pattern of defiance."
Evidence? Oh, you would ask. Well, Neuhaus said his father was not a man you could "directly cross . . . without direct repercussions." Hmm. Not surprising for a Lutheran pastor of the old school. Any more? Yes: Neuhaus was sent to a Lutheran high school in Nebraska, away from the family, and Linker says this "may have been one such repercussion." Maybe. But maybe not. Maybe there wasn't a good high school close. Maybe Papa Neuhaus wanted his son to go to school in America. We won't find out from Linker, because he doesn't provide any explanation of the decision one way or another. But that "may" quickly becomes established in the indicative.
This evidence - a stern father and high school away from home - justifies Linker saying that Neuhaus continued his "pattern of youthful defiance" in Nebraska, when he was expelled from school at 16. Ahh, finally, some sign of defiance. But. . . . why was he expelled? We're not told. I expect his teachers spotted his "pattern of youthful defiance" right quick, and sent him packing.
And that's it. This is all the evidence Linker provides for his claim that "Neuhaus always had a troubled relationship to authority."
Now we know.
posted by Peter J. Leithart on Thursday, February 15, 2007 at 03:04 PM
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