The American Spectator

COALITION BUSTING?
Re: G. Tracy Mehan, III’s A Knife to the Throat:

I just finished reading “A Knife to the Throat” by Tracy Mehan. It is about time someone at your organization told the truth about the cross-dressing, baby-killing, pro-homosexual, anti-gunning, presidential hopeful from New Yorker! There is nothing good about this man. A man cannot believe in killing babies and be a man of stature or a man of integrity. It seems that many at your organization are throwing your lot in with the devil by promoting such an abomination as Giuliani. Your magazine has tried to force him down the throats of conservatives in past issues and articles on your website. I’m here to say that my conservative beliefs and faith in Jesus Christ would never allow me to vote for such an anti-Christian, anti-conservative. Your continual support of Giuliani has led me to stop purchasing your magazine. If I want to read about a baby-killing liberal I’ll purchase the New Republic or some other such publication.

Will your magazine pick up the push for Bloomberg to run for office as well? I don’t think we need another Big City New York liberal running for the Republican ticket. If you really want to do something for the Republican Party and the Conservative cause, you would be better off supporting a candidate with Judeo-Christian values that does not come from New York. True Americans out here in flyover country don’t want some East Coast quasi-Republican. We want a real candidate with real flyover values.
— Gary Martin
Eden Prairie, Minnesota

Quite frankly, I found Mr. Mehan’s, hysterical polemic about Mr. Giuliani to be disingenuous, vulgar and distasteful. It’s the typical war room hit job usually associated with those in the Clinton camp. But it’s nice to see that a principled social conservative like Mr. Mehan can get down and dirty with the best of them. I dare say that Mr. Giuliani’s graciousness far exceeds that of Mr. Mehan’s. Then again, isn’t it so typically hypocritical of a D.C. insider, like Mr. Mehan, to shriek that Giuliani’s candidacy is a “knife to the throat of the Reagan Coalition” and a “lethal threat to social conservatism”; this coming from a man who had no such dire concerns while serving under both Presidents Bush. My admiration for Bush 43 notwithstanding, seems to me the Reagan Coalition hasn’t fared very well under either President Bush. But perhaps like George Tenet, Mr. Mehan didn’t see his continued involvement with both Presidents Bush as his “Faustian bargain.” You’re free to hold Mr. Giuliani’s feet to the conservative fire, that’s your right, just try and be a bit less waspish about it.
— A. DiPentima

Almost every Republican politician claims to want to re-energize the Reagan Coalition. Almost every one of these politicians is either lying or has no idea exactly of what the Reagan coalition was composed. The option is still there, in my view, for the right man or woman.

It is my view that many Democrat union folks would vote for a Republican that stood up to those that want to allow the unlimited influx of folks willing to work for below scale wages and few or no benefits.

It is my view that many Democrat Catholics, Baptists, and other devout Christians would vote for a Republican that stood up for the right to refuse to perform fetal murder.

It is my view that many Democrat every day voters would be willing to vote for a Republican that stands for the proposition that Balkanizing the American citizenry and then assigning rights to individual groups, instead of to all equally is wrong.

It is my view that many Democrat voters would be willing to vote for a Republican running to uphold our 2nd Amendment rights and hunting rights against a candidate that can be shown to wish to restrict these rights to the societal elite.

These were all willing participants in the Reagan Coalition. You can not just advocate some few parts of the Reagan Revolution agenda, and expect to hold on to all those votes. Just as you can not be a part time, or compassionate, conservative and hold on to the conservative base.

I believe that Fred Thompson is one who will insist on standing up for the entire list of issues that were so successful in establishing the Reagan coalition that was so unstoppable. I hope that I am right, because it is obvious that the currently announced GOP candidates will not advocate and do what is necessary to activate that optimistic and unstoppable force.
— Ken Shreve
New Hampshire

Another “social conservative” who would rather turn the country over to Hillary (and a rock-solid Democratic majority in both Houses) than compromise principle? So a Republican victory (and it looks like victory is only possible with Giuliani) would finish them as a force in American politics? To quote the cockroach in Men In Black, that is acceptable.
— PPemb

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL POLICE
Re: Eric Peters’s The Corzine Double Standard:

Public servants who don’t think the rules apply to them, like the New Jersey governor and his driver, a state trooper, are dangerous. They are a threat to individual liberty, public safety and the rule of law. Fortunately in the Corzine incident the consequences were limited to themselves.
— Paul DeSisto
Cedar Grove, New Jersey

What a refreshing article — amen, amen, amen. I knew at the very beginning this case stuck to high heaven.

And to think that the Democrats and all the “establishment” of Jersey tried to blame this on the poor guy in his red pick-up, on his way home from work, trying to get out of the way of the high and mighty, who obeyed the emergency lights and pulled over to avoid the Corzine cortege. Those Democrats, they really love the working stiffs — don’t they?

And even the N.Y. Times reported Monday that the Corzine cortege sped away from the hospital to the gubernatorial mansion in excess of 20 mph over the limit! Let them eat cake.
— Andreas Yiannopoulos
Pasadena, California

So how come the New Jersey state trooper who caused the wreck that nearly killed the Democrat Gov. Jon Corzine hasn’t been brought up on charges? Good question. It is for the same reason that the numerous FBI and Secret Service agents who witnessed criminality by the Clintons weren’t charged with anything. It is also why, upon coming into office in 2001, the Bush Administration dropped all criminal investigations on the Clinton/Gore Administrations and even extended this grace into Bush’s second term by giving Sandy Berger what essentially amounts to as a de facto pseudo-pardon.

You see, there’s an unwritten law in America which has priority over the written laws that bind you and I. It says, “We, the liberal elite, take care of ourselves first and foremost.” Period.

Back to the leadfooted trooper of Corzine wreck. It would not be prudent for the Corzine Administration to charge him with anything, for when asked about his driving, Sgt. Speedy is apt to say, “Jon told me to step on it.”

By the way, here is what Leonard Greene is reporting today in the New York Post: “Just minutes after begging the state’s forgiveness yesterday for setting a “bad example” in his high-speed SUV crash, New Jersey’s buckle-head governor, Jon Corzine, was at it again. Corzine, badly injured while not wearing a seat belt, was so eager to get home from a Camden hospital that he spurned the state’s speed restrictions — traveling 15 mph above the posted limit to get to his Princeton mansion.”

There is no limit to their arrogance.
— Peter Skurkiss
Stow, Ohio

The cop should be up on charges?! Aren’t you being consciously naive, Peters?

Shouldn’t Corzine be the one charged — not only for ordering his driver to speed but refusing to wear a seatbelt?

And then he speeds again upon leaving the hospital, directly after apologizing for his previous behavior and promising to reform. I suggest the charge against Corzine should be Reckless Display of Arrogance.
— Richard Donley
New Lyme, Ohio

I’ve been singing Eric Peters’s complaint for most of my life. Since high school on the Jersey Shore, where I was born and grew up, I’ve had many friends in the law enforcement community. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind about two things: the taxpayers of the State of New Jersey work for the benefit of the employees of the State of New Jersey (and not the other way around!); and there are two classes of people in New Jersey, the privileged class of those who work in law enforcement, and the rest of us working stiffs. With my own eyes I have repeatedly witnessed the fact that following the rules is optional for those privileged few (there may be a couple of exceptions, as with drunk driving).

I got fed up with it all a few years ago and moved to Maryland. The taxes are lower, there’s less crime, there are are fewer busybodies telling us what to do, it’s less crowded. So far so good, though the Democrats are trying to wreck this beautiful place, too.
— Peter Kline

Here in Wyoming, a law now says one must slow down twenty miles below the posted limit and move to the farthest lane away from a stopped police cruiser with flashing lights. The fine for failing is hefty. The reason for this law, according to politicians, is that since so many stopped patrol cars have been rear ended, a law would solve this hazard. Well it hasn’t. The accidents increased with another officer dead. Our highways are wide open with shoulders and barrow pits wide enough to park an 18-wheeler, yet officers still routinely park inside the lane.

Any sane driver would get off the road and out of harm’s way, but not these officials who are supposedly the safest out there. Not one has been removed or cited because the law is on their side, but certainly not common sense.
— R.A. Ready

Eric Peters baldly states that the New Jersey state trooper driving Corzine was text messaging on a Blackberry. However, it’s not certain that this was the case. The allegation comes from the husband of the trooper’s illicit love interest; the trooper denies having had a Blackberry. Perhaps Peters has inside information substantiating this allegation. Reports in the press are equivocal.
— Shamus
Atlanta, Georgia

As you know, being “above the law” is not a new phenomenon for those who are charged with the responsibility for keeping order, enforcing the law, etc. Also, I note that the “gig” to which the Guv was being transported was an Al Sharpton-generated photo op at Rutgers in connection with the Imus affair — whoop-de-do. And, we’re supposed to entrust our protection from mass murderers and various other criminals to the “authorities” rather than have the capability to defend ourselves? Yes, the Little People always, and everywhere, pay the price, particularly and inevitably, in the socialist project.
— P.A. Melita
Charlottesville, Virginia

Just wanted to keep you up to date on the latest incident regarding the subject accident.

Just minutes after apologizing for setting a bad example, and promising to set a better example in the future, Corzine departed the hospital and was clocked doing 15 MPH over the speed limit on his way home! You are absolutely right about the trooper who caused the first accident, but how about laying some blame on an arrogant governor who could stop those troopers with a single word, but chooses to B. S. the public instead.
— Jim Kolocotrones

I think we should look to the Guv on this one. Do you really think that he was not setting there saying hurry up I am going to be late? Also he was NOT wearing his seat belt so his injuries were a given. I do agree about one thing, tickets and big fines should be passed out on this to both the trooper and governor. Anyone that does not wear a seat belt is an idiot, but then he is a Democrat and they all know what is good for me and don’t practice what they preach.
— Elaine Kyle

The flow of Liberal Elitist hypocrisy is never ending. Several years ago when Jon Corzine was in the Senate, he sponsored a bill, along with Rep. Gary Ackerman (D, NY) in the House, that would force every state to ban the use of handheld cell phones while driving. If a state failed to enforce the proposed ban, it would lose some federal highway funds.

The arrogance of these two, from New York and New Jersey (one of whom has chauffeurs), is remarkable. Jon Corzine would use the power of the Federal government to prevent a regular guy on a lonely stretch of road in Montana from calling home to say he will be late for dinner.

Mr. Peters rightly focuses on the trooper, but Jon Corzine is the chief law enforcement officer in the State of New Jersey, and he should be criminally charged as well.
— Tom Dykers
Goochland, Virginia (a.k.a. Flyover Country)

This is situation normal, isn’t it? Princess Di went airborne at 120 mph in a tunnel, not because her driver was a maniac, but because she and her boyfriend raised a haughty finger to him in response to an impulse to lose the paparazzi (for which in truth they would not live without). As the future President Kennedy killed himself and two women taking an airplane ride for which he was not qualified (not a peep), so too we see Corzine living by the special rules of the Elites, when his only crime is in getting caught.

Surely we cannot think this behavior is anything bit normal? Then the pretentious jerk weeps at us that he is humbled because he knows he is seen as a special role-model for others to look up to and is so very sorry to have incurred this lapse of judgment.

That reporters can listen to this without barf-bags does not speak well for them.
— James Wilson

Thanks for your “rant” regarding double standards for us and the police. I feel a little better knowing that I’m not alone in my outrage in their unrelenting disregard for the law.
— Brett

MULTIPLE CHOICES
Re: Mark Tooley’s Choice Shots at Catholics:

It is apparent to me that what we have here is a case of dedicated proponents of “choice” insisting on the right to deny any choice to a segment of society. I suppose I am being simplistic, but I would fight the political/public relations battle with these folks on just that issue. If an individual doctor or health care facility must be allowed the choice to perform fetal murder, then other doctors or health care facilities must be allowed to refuse to perform such “services.” You want your choice? Fine, then I insist on mine. Oh, wait, now I remember, we are not allowed to use logic in settling political/legal questions.
— Kenneth Shreve
New Hampshire

RCRC isn’t just a shot at Catholics but all Christians, Catholics and Protestants, who believe in the sanctity of life and who oppose abortion.

Unfortunately, it appears that as Christian denominations, the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the United Church of Christ and the Episcopal Church find themselves opposed to God’s Word.

The question arises: Are they willful apostates or simply lost and needing a new revelation of — or perhaps an initial, change-their-lives encounter with — Christ Jesus?
— C. Kenna Amos
Princeton, West Virginia

VOTING’S JUST ANOTHER WORD
Re: P. David Hornik’s Dhimmis for Islam:

The problem is that many people in Europe and the U.S. confuse voting with freedom. For some reason (poor education in Greek and Roman history perhaps), it has become a general assumption that “Democracy” and “Liberty” are synonymous. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, like our founding fathers, recognized the difference and built safeguards against mob rule. As the western European democracies continue to hold meaningless elections while ceding their autonomy and freedoms to the EU, the difference will become clearer.
— Chris B.
New Jersey

CREDIT WHERE IT’S DUE
Re: Greg Gutfeld’s What Do I Know?:

I have never watched Red Eye, but will have to try it out, loved this article. The day should ALWAYS be started with a laugh. I really liked the “Algore will die of frostbite.” LOL

Last year at this time I was using the A/C, now it is windows open and wonderful cool temps. Love this global warming. Maybe I can sell some carbon credits.
— Elaine Kyle
Cut & Shoot, Texas

A FRIEND IN CREED
Re: Lawrence Henry’s The Making of a Church:

I understand what Mr. Henry is saying by “people are hungry for religion, not spiritualism.” We live in the Oprah age where there is a lot of talk of “spirituality.” This spirituality is an amorphous, non-specific notion that there is something more along side the visible world. It often is spoken of as another side of one’s self that needs to be brought into balance with your sex life, nutrition, work, and staying in touch with one’s feelings. Spirituality as spoken today is a long way from a living God who may ask difficult things from us and take us where we would rather not go. It is certainly nothing we would sacrifice our lives for.

On the other hand, I am mystified that Mr. Henry doesn’t recognize that the “Bible Church” is just another chapter in the long American attempt to abandon denominational divisions and “get back to the root.” Unfortunately, we are only fooling ourselves that such a project is possible. There is no going back to the “early New Testament church.” Being “moderns,” we don’t even think the same way or share the same world the first disciples did. Just as most of us merely repeat what some dead philosopher said long ago, there is no such thing as “just a Christian” — either knowingly or unknowingly everyone buys into someone’s theology. “Bible Churches” either end up reinventing the wheel or get lost in the woods. It is telling that: “We do not recite the Nicene Creed, but its points are recapitulated every Sunday in Bible study and in the sermon.” Oh, really? In my experience and the experience of others, those who grow up “only” with Bible study, Sunday School and sermons are dumbfounded when they are confronted with it and asked to explain what the creed means. The three “ecumenical” creeds are teaching devices and hedges against heresy. (Notice the liberal tendency to fudge on specific lines in the creed.) They are summations of the faith and fixed stars in a world that blows “every wind of doctrine.” As an orthodox Christian, I can’t help but ask: “Not recite the Nicene Creed? Why? Why are you avoiding it? What do you hope to gain without it?”
— Michael Wm. Dooley
Indianapolis, Indiana

FLY AWAY
Re: The Washington Prowler’s Fred Being Fred:

So, according to the Prowler, Nancy Pelosi is headed for Venezuela and Iran? And of course, nobody in the current administration or the State Department is going to prevent her from going and conducting foreign diplomacy when it’s not part of her job description. How pathetic.

On second thought, however, perhaps we ought to just allow her to go to Tehran. Pack her and her Syrian headscarf up and give them a one-way ticket to the Middle East. But don’t allow her to go to Venezuela — she can still find her way back from there.
— Jim Bjaloncik
Stow, Ohio

THEM’S FIGHTING WORDS
Re: Joseph Baum’s letter (under “Fighting Spirit”) in Reader Mail’s Hearing What the Good Book Says:

Once again Mr. Joseph Baum has accused me of being a liberal, and I feel obliged to offer a response to the insult here rather than look him up and give him a punch in the nose.

He can put his mind at ease, as there are many things I think are worth fighting for. Among them is the defense of our borders, which I should hope will allay Mr. Baum’s concern that I would “wait until thirty percent of our population is Islamofascist, etc.” Unfortunately, our government has no interest in defending our borders, but mandates that grandmas and little girls be given full security checks at airports while swarthy, bearded men in turbans are given a pass lest they feel picked on.

If, by calling me a liberal, Mr. Baum is suggesting that I am at odds with any number of policies endorsed by the Bush Administration, he does grasp the essence of my position, but merely applies an incorrect label. I prefer conservative/libertarian, thank you.

We were told that the current military adventure in Iraq was initiated because the evil Saddam was in possession of weapons of mass destruction (and, by the way, that he was not at all a nice fellow to his countrymen). There was never any suggestion that he had the means to deliver weapons of any sort to U.S. soil however, except perhaps to lug them in via our porous borders.

I would be in favor of deploying our military along our southern border with orders to shoot to kill anyone seeking to enter illegally, including Islamofascists. That should keep them at bay for a while, and prevent us from wilting under sharia law. However, we will remain unprotected from the rampant ravages of the law of political correctness. The imams of that religion are already firmly ensconced in the halls of power, claiming to be bona fide conservatives, all evidence to the contrary notwithstanding.

At least he didn’t call me a neo-conservative, which would really have made my blood boil.
— Mark Fallert
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania