The American Spectator

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Honor Bound

4.15.02 @ 12:01AM

ARMEY DISMANTLED
Re: The Prowler's Armey Ambushed:

During his tenure as Majority Leader, I tended to agree with Dick Armey's views on the issues, but felt he was not a particularly gifted spokesman or representative for the Republican cause.

That said, I take issue with your headline "Armey Ambushed." Yes, it sounds like people within the party were playing hardball. But reading between the lines, it looks like they in doing so, their weapon was the truth. You write, "Scott Armey found himself having to admit he caused an auto accident in 1982. His prior statements had indicated he was not at fault."

Sounds to me as if Scott Armey was less than truthful in earlier characterizations of his involvement in the accident. If he had been frank in the first place, the accident might well not have been an issue. So rather than blaming the messenger, perhaps he and his father should look in the mirror.
-- Mark Finkelstein
Ithaca, NY

Please get some facts before engaging in the Armey family's pity party and conspiracy theory politics. News of Scott Armey's 20-year-old accident was leaked? That "bombshell" has been in papers here, off and on, for 20 years. His arrogance and refusal to take responsibility for what was clearly his fault says a lot about his character, or lack of same. And, he had no insurance, somehow having missed out on all the notifications that coverage was about to, and then after nonpayment of the premium, expire. But not that any of this was HIS fault, you understand. And who leaked the fact that little Scott has never had a "real" job? He has been enmeshed in county politics up to his neck, and some of it is shady and self-serving. Are we as Republicans supposed to close our eyes to this sort of thing and send him to Congress when he already appears to be enough of a crook at home? Forget the "leak" theory and be thankful that the great unwashed still know bad character when they see it. Isn't that what we disdained for eight years of the Clinton administration?
-- L. Simon

You know, I'd feel a lot more sorry for the Armeys, father and son, if they hadn't done such a stupid thing.

Did they actually think that they could keep Scott's guilt in causing a car accident a secret until after the election. That is just the sort of thing that comes out at the least opportune time; just like GWB's drunk driving incident.

At least Scott didn't lose the actual election, just the primary. I don't know anything about politics in Texas, but generally I prefer a Republican to a Democrat. Shouldn't Dick Armey prefer the same?
-- M.C. Warner

THIS BUD'S FOR DAVE
Re Dave Shiflett's Mo Needs a Man:

Dave Shiflett certainly hits the nail on the head! I too read Ms. Maureen Dowd-y, almost in protest, simply because, damn it, she sometimes really can write.

This particular screed of hers was the first one in recent memory where she wasn't bashing the Bushies or Rummy but was instead almost making sense. Leave it to Mr. Shiflett to point out where I was wrong.

Keep up the good work!
-- Bob Johnson
Bedford, Texas

Dave's article about Miz Dowd had me in hysterics. I have had the same argument about "strong" women with some of my feminist acquaintances and made the same arguments Dave did -- but not nearly as elegantly as Dave.

Dave -- you're the best, bud.
-- Steve Currence
Denver, CO

Mo don't need no man. She does need to spend about a year as a topless mud wrestler at some local shake and wiggle parlor. She'll get a real look at life as it really is.
-- unsigned

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Bill Clinton, Business, Abortion, Conservatism