The American Spectator

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Patriotic Gestures

5.18.07 @ 12:01AM

JERRY BUILT
Re: Hunter Baker's Falwell's Turnabout:

The author's references to Rev. Falwell's "gaffes" typically (along with most every other story I've read following his death) point to the Teletubbies incident and his comments on the cause of the 9/11 attacks. Why should these be considered "gaffes"? They are no more invalid than comments of, say, Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi. Like pronouncements from our congressional leaders, they arose out of Rev. Falwell's worldview. Because his worldview was the focus of the article, Mr. Baker erred in discounting these views.

The Teletubbies comments come closest to being justly ridiculed, but look beyond the surface. All four of the characters are portrayed as gender-neutral, but motions and body language suggest a masculine leaning (were the actors inside the costumes male?). That one carried a purse could be viewed as attempting to normalize gay behavior, a lifestyle that, according to the Scriptures that drove Rev. Falwell's worldview, was abominable. Maybe that's a stretch, but there was some basis to the assertion. The man was anything but crazy.

On the other hand, his comment about the 9/11 attacks should not have been the least surprising or considered even slightly outrageous. If, like Rev. Falwell, you believe in a just, righteous and holy God, who chastens those He loves, this is not a far-fetched concept. God punished His own people (Israel) many times by allowing her enemies to attack and kill her people. Whether the Left likes it or not, this nation was founded on principles established in the Bible, and its chief religion was Christianity (at least one of the original 13 states' constitution still directs that Christians should be preferred above others for public office!). Therefore, it should not seem outrageous at all that this same just, righteous and holy God would see fit to punish a people called by His name when their collective behavior so flagrantly violates his laws. Rev. Falwell, simply stated his logical belief as a warning to America to change its ways. He was not trying to be hurtful. Sometimes the truth hurts.

Please take a stand and stop trying to marginalize Rev. Falwell's views. He was a true patriot, a man who loved his country second only to his love for God, and always had her best interest at heart.
-- Mike Mawhorr
Mascoutah, Illinois

NEWT TO THE GAME
Re: James G. Poulos's Anarchy in the USA:

You work for a magazine that has kept us well apprised of the Clinton's shenanigans. So you should be well versed in the amazing story of how in only months, the Clinton's turned Newt's name from a thing of good to a thing of evil, and then proceeded to destroy Dole with Newt's evil name, long before the race even began. Grow government at twice the rate of inflation instead of thrice, and bombastically proclaim that you are cutting government -- 'twas easily spun into Newt stealing school lunches and throwing old folks into the street to live on dog food. Brag that you will force Clinton to accept your reductions, and allow Clinton to blame you for Clinton's shutting down government at Christmas time -- and get tagged as the Gingrich that stole Christmas, even though Clinton planned to do so long before Newt even opened his mouth. And in the midst of this debacle, complaining that Clinton would not see him during a free ride Clinton gave him on Air Force One, Newt got himself smeared as a whiner.

Maybe somebody was too busy having an affair to defend himself. Too bad he thinks that a good show of contrition will wipe the slate clean. We should forgive him, but we should not forget. Besides, unless he can show that his incompetence was directly due to his dalliance, his incompetence should not be wiped away with his sin. But admitting incompetence is very close to guaranteeing defeat, so it is not very likely that he will be asking us to forgive him that, nor asking us to believe he has learned from his mistakes.

I love Poulos's line, "No longer will Newt be the Lone Ditherer, the half-serious has-been who overthinks everything to compensate for not thinking anything through." That is a perfect description of the man. It fully explains why the Republican revolution's greatest feat (worst accomplishment) was to give the incompetent President and boy letch a good name.

The Clintons wrote the textbook on how to destroy Newt. Running Newt against Hillary will destroy the Republican Party. Please talk him out of his vain pursuit.
-- James Bailey
Knoxville, Tennessee

I'm a bit confused after reading this dissertation in narcissism. Was there any point to it beyond to display Poulos's brilliant word-smithing?

And yes, I am being sarcastic.
-- Richard Donley
New Lyme, Ohio

How about Fred for prez and Newt for vice prez? Anybody?
-- Jeff Rennie
Chesterhill, Ohio

DEMOCRAT DEFEAT
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s Do Nothing Democrats:

Bravo! Correct down to the last apostrophe. Mr. Tyrrell has it exactly right. I would add just one tiny footnote: After Ajima Pelosi returned from her heart to heart with Bashar Assad; she found she had no time to receive a briefing from General Petraeus, whom she considered small potatoes after her foray into high level foreign affairs.

Letter to the Editor

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