The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Among the Mountebanks

4.23.04 @ 12:01AM

MORE, PLEASE
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s A Post-Pulitzer Coogler:

It is for this quality of writing that your devotees in foreign lands read TAS.

It is also a great pity that Bob does not unleash himself on scoundrels and mountebanks like Al Franken more often.
-- Martin Kelly
Glasgow, Scotland

Kudos to RET's decision to confer the vaunted J. Gordon Coogler Award on Mr. Al Franken. Other than the brain-damaged psychotic Michael Moore (aside to RET -- I thought possibly you stole my idea about Moore's book Stupid White Men being his autobio, but I guess that is rather self-evident to everyone), I can think of no one else more deserving of this accolade! Bear in mind that Mr. Franken is the same moron that, along with his partner Tom Davis, used to drop LSD before their script-writing endeavors during their halcyon days at Saturday Night Live. Certainly was the pinnacle of their careers, which took a plunge faster than David Caruso's.

And as far as Ann Coulter is concerned -- HOO HAH!! And what I wouldn't give to see RET and AC team up on CNN's "Crossfire" in place of Carlson and Novak (both nice guys, but hey, we got a war to fight here). The liberal bloodletting would be monumental and I'd pay good money to see the "Ragin' Cajun" crying "MOMMIE" after he got shredded. Ah, my fantasy for the week…month …year …
-- Jim Bjaloncik
Stow, Ohio

AMERICA HELD HOSTAGE
Re: William Tucker's Call It a Democracy and the Hell With It:

There are many truths in the article, "Call It a Democracy and the Hell With It," written by Mr. Tucker in the April 12th issue. He leaves out a great consideration. If we get out of Iraq, there's a great chance Iran will move in. If we let that happen, Iran will control most of the oil fields now in production. Iran may have nuclear technology now. If not, they'll soon have them and enough cash to buy missiles that can reach our golden shores. If we find out that Iraq cannot adapt to democracy, the only practical thing to do is use the Kurds as our military force just as the British used the Sikhs to control India. Either that, or follow Ann Coulter's advice and christianize them like the Moslems did to the Christians fifteen hundred years ago.
-- Mike McCoy
Central Point, Oregon

ONE SHINING MOMENT
Re: Shawn Macomber's Wrong Man for the Job:

That little spectacle involving the confirmation of Justice Thomas was one of those defining moments in American politics, and I definitely remember which side Senator Specter was on. Senator Specter may be a lot of things but he is no Jeffords, and loyalty and "distinguished service under fire" has to count for something.
-- Paul Milenkovic
Madison, Wisconsin

THE UNREPENTANT
Re: George Neumayr's The New Saintliness:

OK, so the US Catholic bishops are about to fold again -- this time regarding Kerry and abortion.... With due respect to Neumayr: In what sense is this news? In spite of their decades of "cheap grace" baloney about "concern for the poor, and the weakest of society" I cannot imagine any single group of Americans less likely to extend themselves on behalf of others, or less willing to expose themselves to the smallest amount of criticism by the "smart set" for their supposed beliefs. (Even when it comes to the bishops' vaunted liberal "social justice" ideals, it's never THEIR asses or wallets on the line. It's always some scheme to increase the tax burden on the poor schleps out there who are working and supporting families. And don't even get me started on how badly they are screwing over African Americans by abetting the importation of cheap labor from Mexico and the Third World. McCarrick is a "labor" bishop? What does that mean? He likes to watch On the Waterfront? You cannot simultaneously call yourself a supporter of labor and abet illegal immigration, unless you are either moron or a fraud -- or a poseur, like McCarrick.) The bishops pack their National Review Board (and meet in secret to discuss policy) with prominent pro-abortionists and dissenters. They blow off Catholics who are committed to their faith. Always. Wait till you see what they (don't) do about gay marriage. This incompetent and (let's face it) largely effeminate flock of sheep has for all intents and purposes consigned itself to irrelevance. My only question is: Why do guys like Neumayr even bother to cover them anymore? Quit wasting your time...
-- Thomas J. Wronski

Many of the Democratic politicians who claim to be Catholics are indeed trying to confuse what is and is not Church teaching. Bringing up a list of social issues as being morally equivalent to abortion or human cloning is the latest tactic. There is no Church teaching on such things as minimum wage, welfare benefits, or progressive taxes. The Church even recognizes the validity of the death penalty (Catechism 2267). The bishops comment on these issues, but their comments are not Church teaching.

The inclusion of such issues among the criteria for judging a candidate's "Catholicism" is a smoke screen, possibly designed to counter other guides, such as "Voter's Guide for Serious Catholics."

This guide lists five non-negotiable issues. The Q&A for the guide addresses secondary issues, such as capital punishment, health care, tax codes and the environment, and leaves these to individual voters to decide based on their conscience -- after they have applied the list of five non-negotiable criteria.
-- Pat Birmingham
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Your "New Saintliness" commentary "hit the nail on the head" re the Bishops bow to Kerry.

Letter to the Editor

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