The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Carbon Disposal

9.26.07 @ 12:01AM

(Page 3 of 3)

But there's a larger point to be made. Too many Americans have fallen prey to the left's constant mantra about America's flaws. We've become so reflexive and defensive that we denigrate the very principles that make us a great nation. We've nothing to prove; not to the left, France, the U.N., or anybody else. Justice Holmes famously said that free speech would not protect the person who shouted fire in a crowded theatre; so why then allow the rants of a 7th century Islamofascist with this forum? Sorry, I for one, am tired of placating the Lee Bollingers of the Left.
-- A. DiPentima

Jeffrey Lord's deserved plaudits notwithstanding, and after paying full measure to Mr. Gingrich's robust intellectualism, we still are entitled to ask the question: Why should we consider seriously a man who cheerfully confessed to "being intimidated" by Bill Clinton? All the bright ideas in the world don't substitute for common grit. Intellectual cornucopia? Very much so. Presidential timber? Maybe not so much.
-- J.C. Eaton
Wisconsin

Because the Democrats are not inclusive and will only listen to the very liberal view, I will never call it the "Democratic" party. They are as democratic as Ahmadinejad and MoveOn. Anyone that uses Democratic Party does not understand what democratic means.
-- Elaine Kyle

The left still doesn't get why Ahmadinejad should not have been allowed to speak. The benefits of practicing "free speech" and the noble idea of "allowing dissent" that would be felt here are not worth the propaganda value reaped by Ahamadinejad. Through the power of editing, the Iranian media will present this as a glorious success as the people of the United States eagerly welcomed their president and accepted his ideas, thus further eroding our government's credibility in the eyes of millions who live under dictator rule.

The examples of discrimination such as the ones mentioned by Jeffery Lord illustrate the blatant hypocrisy and the de-facto fascist attitudes practiced by not only the left-wing zealots but by liberal institutions in this country against conservatives (or anyone for that matter who would have opposing viewpoints). For some self-described liberals who use "intellectual" rather than "emotional" reasoning, this should give them pause as to whether this is really the kind of ideological thinking they wish to subscribe to.
-- John Nelson
Hebron, Connecticut

I read Jeffrey Lord's piece with great interest. It's funny how the "Question Authority" crowd doesn't like having its authority questioned!
-- John Lindquist

THE LESS THINGS CHANGE
Re: Jackie Mason & Raoul Felder's The Incurable Disease:

I was speaking to a Jewish friend of mine the other day, and among the topics that came up I asked him why anti-Semitism exists. His answer was short and to the point: "Stupidity."

As correct as his answer was, I feel like there should be more to it. But the more I think about it, the less it really matters. I am a Christian. King David, prior to his crowning, would not strike Saul, because Saul had been chosen by God to be king over Israel. Likewise, the Jews are God's chosen people. For me this is reason enough to respect them.

Over the years the Jewish people have generally brought prosperity wherever they've gone. They have their traditions, a number of which have at least some expression in Christianity. The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were originally called to be "set apart," to be God's witness to the world. Christians are also called to be "set apart" and a witness of His New Covenant.

Why does anti-Semitism exist? Who knows? I was hoping this article would provide an answer, but it's hard to explain wrong-headedness. Why does racism exist? Why do the Arabs hate the Israelis? If people must be judged, judge them as individuals, not as a group. Anti-Semitism is simply wrong. There is no justification for it.
-- Paul Pigott
Tallahassee, Florida

DRAWLING THE LINE
Re: Larry Thornberry's Southern Fried Fred:

Mr. Thornberry has done an excellent job of explaining the demographics of the current state of Florida, with one huge, important exception. He never even mentions the Canadians. All down the eastern half of the peninsula are embedded the Canadians from Montreal, Quebec, and the eastern part of Canada. All down the western half of the peninsula and across the panhandle are embedded the Canadians from Toronto and the central part of Canada. Of course in places like Orlando, Ocala, and the central sliver of the peninsula are folks from both parts of Canada trying to carve out an area of their own from the resident Hispanics. If you don't believe it, simply hang around the trailer parks and residential communities developed for and catering to the retired folk. Like Mr. Thornberry, I spent many years living in Florida, in Orlando around the time Disney opened, in Jacksonville, in Leesburg. Then I would spend more time than I wanted on business in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm, Pensacola, and Panama City.

The transformation of Florida is precisely why I no longer live there. I can't speak Spanish, or French Canadian, and don't intend to even try. 'Course, I don't speak Yankee either, but that is another story.
-- Ken Shreve
New Hampshire

Just because Fred has a twang that is just to the right of Jeff Foxworthy, don't think even for a minute think he's got the Southern vote all wrapped up (and we're talking other than Florida). Mr. Red October still has much 'splaining to do regarding his Senate record and lobbying activities. He makes much ado about being a Federalist which, in Constitutional circles at least, is exactly the polar opposite position espoused by those who claim Federalism as the ideal. A Federalist is a big-government type who loves the idea of centralized power, while Federalism is synonymous with local responsibility. Look it up.

In the end, the election will boil down to the candidates with the biggest, boldest, and best ideas. As of now, both Mr. Hs, Mr. Little T, and (gasp!!!) Mrs. C have been the mostest on the trail in that regard. Messieurs Big T, G, R, M, O, and E have been the "me to" candidates thus far -- not much substance and suspect at best concerning style. And poor Mr. P; he forgot his tin-foil hat on the dashboard. Although he may play the part of a good ole' boy, Mr. Thompson, at best, is auditioning for the position of second banana.
-- Owen H. Carneal
Yorktown, Virginia

Letter to the Editor

topics:
John McCain, Bill Clinton, Business, Catholicism, Islam, Environment, Global Warming, Books, Constitution, Law, Supreme Court, Iran, Israel, Conservatism, Energy, Oil