The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Blame the Good Guys

1.26.05 @ 12:01AM

(Page 4 of 4)

Conservatives should take a page from Democrat politics "Chicago-style": simply neuter and lobotomize Specter from any further committee responsibilities but keep him loyal.

P.S. Good luck defending Santorum and all that, he's learned his lesson. I wish Republicans would learn that there can be no compromise when dealing with the Democrat or the "Jeffords" party.
-- P. Aaron Jones
Huntington Woods, Michigan

I think Mr. Fallert pretty much hit the nail on the head in his LTE. I am beginning to feel as him with this growing BS in Washington about Bush and the Judiciary committee chairman. Actually, I am beginning to believe that Bush really wants things the way they are going. He's too smart a man to be taken in by the likes of Specter and he's also smart enough to use him as a ploy for his true intentions. Bush's record in Texas as Governor showed the same slippery side of him regarding the Judicial bench down there. Also, when did the "War on Terror" suddenly become a "War of Liberation" in the Mideast? It's one thing to protect America but quite another to engage in a foreign adventure to free a people who really don't want to be freed. I could really care less if those people experience democracy, my main concern is them killing us and making life miserable for decent people. As long as they ride their camels, pray to Allah (or whoever), and pump the oil, I could care less. When they don't pump the oil, strap bombs on, and make a general nuisance of themselves, then we kick butt until they resume the former. As far as Specter goes, if Bush is really upset about him, why doesn't he tell his boy in the Senate to hand him (Specter) a broom and let him sweep floors while a real conservative takes over the reins? Like Mr. Fallert surmised.... Just what are Bush's real intentions regarding the Judiciary?
-- Pete Chagnon

PORK SAUSAGE
Re: David Watson's letter (under "Over a Pork Barrel") in Reader Mail's Camera Ready:

Lest your correspondent (Reader Mail, Jan. 25) get too hopeful about his "heaping plate of bacon" proposal for getting suspected terrorists to talk, he needs to know that a Muslim is permitted to eat normally prohibited foods if they are all that is available. ("He who is driven by necessity, neither craving nor transgressing, it is no sin for him. God is the Forgiver, the Merciful." Qur'an 2:173). Whether a true extremist will allow himself to sully the imagined "purity" of his distorted practice of the religion, is of course another issue. And God knows best.
-- Jeffrey Erickson

A small correction to David Watson's suggestion of bacon as an instrument of interrogation when Muslim terrorists are involved. It was not General Patton who originated this technique in the Philippines (indeed, he never served there and was in any event too young to have participated in military action against Muslim terrorists in the early 20th century). General Pershing is credited with this innovation and may have shared the story with Patton when the two of them served together in Mexico while chasing Pancho Villa, or in later years when Black Jack romantically pursued Patton's sister. Otherwise, I'm all for it.
-- James Parker
Carmichael, California

TEACHING TECHIES
Re: Bob Johnson's letter ("Spectator Supersized") in Reader Mail's Camera Ready:

Please tell Bob Johnson that Internet Explorer has five, not three, font sizes, ranging from largest to smallest. The default is medium. Simply click on the VIEW menu item, point at TEXT SIZE and select the size you want. No download necessary, not to mention the other hassles of changing your Internet software.
-- Patrick R. Glass
LTC, USA (Retired)

SWEPT AWAY
In light of liberal calls for the cancellation of the inauguration of President George W. Bush and the subsequent donation of the $40 million to tsunami relief efforts, will Hollywood lead by example and cancel the Academy Awards? Rather than spend millions on dresses and jewels, Hollywood celebrities can finally show their fellow Americans that they really do "support the troops by donating that money to military family support groups. While many in Hollywood have made such claims for over two years now, their words have rung hollow as they have shown no support via donations or participation in USO tours.

Come on Hollywood, do the right thing and cancel the Academy Awards. You could hold another telethon as well, this time to benefit those and their loved ones who sacrifice so much to keep us all safe.

P.S. Just kidding. We know you are too selfish and vain to perform such a selfless act. Besides, it's your money. Unlike liberals, we don't feel it's any of our business to tell you what to do with it.
-- Jon Alvarez

Letter to the Editor

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