The American Spectator

CHIP SHOTS
Re: Quin Hillyer’s reply to John “Chip” Saltsman in Reader Mail’s Huckabee for President Responds:

Dear Quin:

I saw your “reply” to my letter. Apparently I was not clear enough for you. Being a Southern gentleman, perhaps I was a little too polite. Let me try again.

Quin, I have a really hard time understanding why you failed to contact our campaign press office if your intent was anything other than to mislead and misinform your audience about Mike Huckabee’s record as governor of Arkansas. Believe me, dozens, if not hundreds, of journalists do so on a daily basis. The lame excuse you cited really doesn’t pass the “sniff” test.
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Regarding organizations like Club for Growth: They ignore the fact that Mike Huckabee was the first governor in Arkansas history to enact a broad-based tax cut. As governor, he led the fight to cut taxes almost 100 times, returning almost $400 million to the taxpayers. He doubled the standard deduction and the child care tax credit and eliminated the marriage penalty and the capital gains tax on the sale of a home. He reduced the capital gains tax for businesses and individuals. He indexed the income tax to protect people from paying higher taxes because of “bracket creep.” In fact, he left office this past January with a surplus of almost $1 billion, which he urged should go back to the taxpayers. If that’s not good conservative fiscal management, I don’t know what is.

Regarding the Dumond case: What happened was a terrible tragedy. But the fact of the matter is that your article was riddled with inaccuracies, allegations and half-truths which were thoroughly investigated and put to rest by the voters of Arkansas in the governor’s last election.
— Chip Saltsman
Huckabee for President Campaign

Quin Hillyer replies:
Governor Huckabee’s own former communications aide, David Sanders, wrote a piece on Oct. 17 that confirmed that Huckabee was very involved with the decision to let Wayne Dumond out of prison.

I stand by the words of my story.

STILL THE ONE
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.’s The Merry Sage of Broadcasting Excellence:

RET’s delightful commentary on Rush Limbaugh’s revenge against “Dingy Harry” Reid and his minions brought a smile to my face and a song to my heart. I followed El Rushbo’s E-Bay auction of the letter sent to the Clear Channel CEO and while I thrilled as the bids escalated, I was totally unprepared for the final total. Delightful! But the fact that Reid decided to try to horn in on the act and declare that he somehow contributed to the realization of such a windfall for the Marine Corps — Law Enforcement Foundation in some way has again brought me to my feet and declare my intentions of contributing to any conservative who attempts to unseat this cretin, even if I don’t live in Nevada. There’s got to be a rock in Searchlight, NV that we can send Reid packing back to, or better still, a hole in the ground

Mr. Tyrell’s cracks about the lovely and talented Henry Waxman was simply the whipped cream frosting on the cake, particularly when RET indicated he’d “apologize for our thoroughly accurate report” (regarding Waxman’s attempt at investigations into leading conservative talk show hosts like Rush, Hannity and Levin) once he (Waxman) did “the decent thing and purchase a toupee.” I’m now torn between doing a Halloween jack-o-lantern modeled after Waxman’s goblin features and erecting a cut-out picture in my yard of Dennis Kucinich in a tou-tou. Actually, I might do both. Ought to scare the living be-jeebers out of the kids in the neighborhood.
— Jim Bjaloncik
Stow, Ohio

Rush Limbaugh must indeed be laughing all the way to the bank, even though he was making a withdrawal instead of a deposit. It was hilarious “watching” Ditzy Harry and the Gang of 41 who can’t Shoot Straight trying to slap Rush around only to withdraw a bloodied stump. Now they’re playing the part of the Black Night in “Monty Python’s The Holy Grail:” it’s just a flesh wound!

I wonder if the Gang has what it takes to try it again. Do the punks feel lucky? I do so hope they pull his string one more time…
— Karl F. Auerbach
Eden, Utah

It would have been so easy for the Democrats to turn their lemon into lemonade by admitting, “Okay, you got us,” and then writing checks of their own to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation. However, humility is not in the genetic makeup of Democrats, is it? Pride goeth before the fall.
— Kitty Myers
Painted Post, New York

Yes, Mr. Limbaugh’s grandiose humor and ability to zero in on the real issues is a great gift and one which we would all do well to learn and emulate.

My two cents in this matter is that it is soooo easy for the Democrats to spend other people’s moneys, but they cannot seem to part with their own, even in a gesture of good well. A couple of hundred bucks to the same charity would have been a nice gesture.

Ah well.
— Anastasia Mather

What an article! There is no one like R. Emmett Tyrrell for hitting the proverbial nail straight on. However, I would make one every-so-tiny change in his article. From: “Actually Senator Harry Reid lumbered out onto the Senate floor and heaved up yet another exhalation of guff.” To: Actually Senator Harry Reid lumbered out onto the Senate floor and heaved up another giant ball of methane gas.

Other than that, the article is perfect. Mega Dittoes, Rush.
— Judy Beumler
Phoenix, Arizona

I’m sure that James Traficant’s toupee consultant is cooling his heels somewhere waiting for another high-profile client. Maybe a phone call is in order.

Actually, I think Waxman would be better served by trimming his nose hairs and easing up on the Just For Men.
— Evelyn Leinbach
Colorado

In the early days of the Lewinsky (oops, I misspoke, Clinton) administration, Rush started his show each day with, day so and so, America held hostage. I would love to see him start each show with, day so and so and no matching donation to the Marines from the cabal of 41 senators and name each one. Especially, the flawless campaigner, Hillary.
— J. Lawrence
East Sandwich, Massachusetts

Let’s hope that the preposterous attempt to pin the use of “phony soldier” on Rush Limbaugh as a term for all anti-war veterans is the last we’ll see of this laughable canard.

The actual “phony soldiers” gathered by the Democrats to promote their anti-war obsession are being prosecuted for misrepresenting their military service and one is now in jail.

Other military anti-war advocates selected by the Democrat machine for election were real soldiers, as was Benedict Arnold. In Pennsylvania, U.S. Reps. Pat Murphy of Bucks County and Joe Sestak of Delaware County, as well as Virginia Sen. James Webb were recruited to further the demoralizing anti-war statements and actions of Senators Harry Reid and John Kerry and Reps. Nancy Pelosi and John Murtha.

If this analogy seems unfair let it be known that Benedict Arnold was by far the better soldier than the veterans in Congress listed above. Arnold was responsible for many American victories. But he did go against the troops one time.

These members of Congress exceeded Arnold in attempting to demoralize our troops on a regular basis. No true American calls for surrender or causes our brave troops to question their commitment while they risk their lives fighting under our flag. It used to be we depended on Tokyo Rose or other enemy propagandists to do that.

America will not succeed and the horrific world problems will not be solved until we neutralize the enemy at home, in our Congress and behind most of our news desks.
— John L. Davis

The attack on Rush Limbaugh by Senate Democrats and their media goons is just one more reason conservatives need to come out in strength in 2008 to defeat Democrats across the board. The attack on Limbaugh is just another example of their agenda to undermine Constitutional liberties for Americans while extending them to Muslim terrorists bent on killing us and destroying out nation. To allow Democrats to gain the presidency and remain in control of Congress is no laughing matter for those who cherish freedom.
— Michael Tomlinson
Jacksonville, North Carolina

My Senator, Sherrod Brown was among those who signed that awful letter. Today I mailed him a copy of your article and a request:

Dear Senator Brown:

I am sending you an article that articulates my thoughts much better than I can (because I’m certain you or your staff would never read anything from this site, although it would do you good.)

I believe the reason Democrats/Liberals really do not like Rush Limbaugh is not just his politics. He is the Mark Twain of our day — he points out foolishness among the pompous and makes us all laugh at them. This is the wonder and the gift of democracy and freedom. We are allowed to laugh at our “betters” without fear of getting thrown in prison (at least not yet).

You and those 40 others who signed the letter to intimidate Mark Mays, Chairman of Clear Channel Communications, while at the same time pandering to your base, showing what tough guys and gals you all are, are now hiding in the cloak room, hoping no one will ask when you will make a donation of ANY size to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.

I am not holding my breath waiting for the Plain Dealer or any member of the media to ask you that question, but I’m asking you. When will you rise to Rush’s challenge and put your money where your mouth is?

While sending this excellent reminder to all my acquaintances that may be tempted to go Hillary — or — McCain next election, I caution them to remember the “Democide Party” of the 90s and to have endured the “Republicide Party” fraud since 2001 should be sufficient to send them to the “Constitution Party” and consider Ron Paul. Thanks for another eloquent commentary.
— Trudy Bruinsma

PHONY
Re: John Tabin’s Stuck in the Mud for Good:

What has always baffled me about the Beauchamp Affair is that before the controversy even began Beauchamp had identified himself as a person with no character to defend.

In the “Shock Troops” column the main anecdote is his cruel and gratuitous insult of the disfigured woman in an Iraq mess hall. The ostensible point of the story is that the stress of war had hardened him. It’s an awfully thin defense; most soldiers who face those stresses don’t react that way. Even if Beauchamp’s account were true, it doesn’t excuse his insult.

Of course after it was investigated and nobody could find the woman, he claimed it happened in Kuwait before he had a chance to see combat. So the one defense he had for his action is gone. By his own account, he mocked and degraded the disfigured woman for no real reason at all. That’s assuming the woman even exists. As far I can tell nobody ever found her or verified her existence.

So, this fellow Beauchamp both mocked a real-life disfigured woman and decided he wanted to tell the world about it in a column or he made-up the whole thing. That is, he wanted people to believe that he is capable of casually humiliating the scarred and disabled. Either way, it is hard to understand why TNR would go to the mat to defend such a person.
— Sean Higgins
Washington, D.C.

WHEN DAY IS DONE
Re: Patrick O’Hannigan’s Remembering the Ramonans:

My thanks to Patrick O’Hannigan for his wonderful article on Ramona. While I am a native of nearby Escondido, I lived in Ramona for nearly two years. His description of it as essentially being small-town America with an attitude is right-on. Many memories ran through my head upon reading his piece, and praying for those poor souls who are wondering if their houses will still be there once the fires have died down.
— Greg Hoadley
Deerfield Beach, Florida

Fantastic. I lived in Escondido and Valley Center most of my life and worked for many years at the Ramona airport. I am very concerned about friends and family at the moment and found your thoughts comforting and paralleling my own. Thank you for taking the time to compose this work, it helps.
— Tracey Yarush

HERE’S WHY
Re: George H. Wittman’s Queen Benazir Returns — Why?

Just because Pakistan ain’t much of a democracy doesn’t mean Benazir Bhutto is wrong for trying to make it so. Following that kind of logic, Corazon Aquino should have remained a housewife, Lech Walesa should have stayed a shipbuilder and Vaclav Havel should have stuck to his poetry.
— Paul LaRue

Please cut me some slack on my cynicism, but I can think of only two reasons for her return. The first is the arrogance and entitlement mentality that is exhibited all across the globe by those that consider themselves among the societal elite. The second is money. No matter how wealthy she may be, I would bet that she wants to increase that wealth several fold, and it is obvious that the key to increased wealth in the shortest possible time is to hold in you own hands the reins of power in pretty much any nation. The supreme rulers of even the poorest nations in the third world have become wealthy in office, wealthy in global terms.
— Ken Shreve

THROW AWAY THE KEY
Re: Jay D. Homnick’s An Unsettling State:

The state did not “do all it could” to protect Dru Sjodin. The state allowed a known violent criminal out to prey on the community again, and that human excrement killed Dru Sjodin. A violent felon should never get a second chance, ever.

Twenty-three years is not a “very significant jail term” for stabbing someone. The state has the responsibility to permanently remove violent felons. Once a person is convicted of a violent felony, no other citizen should ever be put at risk from that person again.

Of course no society can “produce zero risk for ourselves and our children.” What society can do is to remove forever convicted violent felons. They should either be executed or put in a jail cell and never leave that cell until their dead body is carried out. No TV, no radio, no books, no magazines, no mail, no computers, no phone calls, nobody to talk to. They should never again live anything approaching a human life, and never have the opportunity to harm anyone again. That is what the state owes its citizens.

This is not extreme. What is extreme is allowing a known violent felon to ever prey on the community again.
— David Scheibner

NOT EVERYONE HEARTS HUCKABEE
Re: Quin Hillyer’s A Tale of Two Candidates and Reader Mail’s Huckabee for President Responds:

As a near life-long resident of Arkansas, I would like to shed a little light on Huckabee’s governorship of Arkansas.

Until a budget crunch around 2000, Huckabee let state government spending grow three times faster than the state’s population (this was mentioned in an Arkansas Democrat-Gazette editorial), and a few years later he got a monster tax increase as the state was coming out of the recession that has produced huge surpluses, which the Democratic legislature isn’t about to return to the taxpayers. A fiscal conservative he’s not, and conservatives are correct in using this against him.

Most, if not all, of the ethics complaints levied against Huckabee were by hard-core Clinton partisans. Conservatives should not use these against him.

Wayne DuMond was given an extraordinarily harsh sentence despite scanty evidence (blood type) because his alleged victim was the daughter of a local big shot and distantly blood kin to Clinton. Those who perpetrated the same crime against women of ordinary circumstances received far lighter (around 8 years) sentences. The whole thing was compounded by the fact that the county had a crooked sheriff, who may have been behind an assault on DuMond in which he was mouth-raped and castrated. (The sheriff kept DuMond’s testes in a jar on his desk.) The whole thing smacked of what allegedly occurred in the allegedly corrupt Old South. Conservatives should not use this against him.

The biggest impeachment of Huckabee’s claims to be conservative is that he supports the invasion of illegal aliens, and even got a bill introduced that would give illegal aliens in-state tuition at state colleges, making them better off than American citizens. Conservatives should definitely be using this against him.

Huckabee also supports the nanny-state fascist campaign against “obesity.” While his personal efforts to lose weight and become healthy are laudable, giving the government the power to micromanage our diets is clearly not conservative.

Huckabee has also done nothing to assure academic integrity in the state’s colleges and universities to keep them from becoming centers of leftist indoctrination. We won’t be able to return to an America more in line with the Constitution as long as our young people are being taught cultural Marxism.

I am of the opinion that the Republicans need to nominate a presidential candidate who has the courage to wage all-out political warfare on the Left, and Huckabee clearly is not this kind of person.

I hope you find this information useful.
— William Woodford
Little Rock, Arkansas

THE FORGOTTEN WAR
Re: Quin Hillyer’s Memorializing Korea:

Thanks to Quin for once again doing the job for the MSM and “historians” across our fruited plain. Now if only we would see references to things like this from the MSM and our politicians so others who had no knowledge of this historical tidbit could absorb and ponder on it. Well at least we can dream, and say a prayer of thanks to those 54,000 and more. Did our effort make a difference? Are they better off now than they would have been? Are we? Ask that question twice, once below and once above the border we still help protect in Korea.
— Roger Ross

FROSTY RECEPTION
Re: Joel Natzke’s letter (under “To Spite Their Own Faces”) in Reader Mail’s Free to Lose

About my recent letter, Mr. Joel Natzke suggests “…surely you jest when you wrote, ‘As much as we despise Bill Clinton’s worse half, we are animated far more so by our pro-life principles, which are nonnegotiable.’” It’s not clear to me just where he thinks the joke lies there; I’m given to believe that Mr. Natzke’s judgment, and that of legions of like-minded Republicans, I fear, is grossly impaired by an acute thirst for the retention of the presidency by his party, at any cost. It’s quite vexing to me the party loyalty that some Republicans are prone to, no matter how far the GOP would venture from its supposed core principles. These folks should get some credit for consistency, though; if baby-killing’s negotiable, then it makes sense that the party’s other tenets would be as well (see Rudy Giuliani, the Second Amendment, and cross dressing.)

More than the potent criticism that my letter elicited from Mr. Natzke, and also from “Frost” (Jack, perhaps?), who seems to believe that Giuliani is the second coming of Superman himself (perhaps having confused the Mayor’s dress with a cape), nobodies both, just like me, what truly gives me pause is TAS’s title for my correspondence, a takeoff on Voltaire’s “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” It is truly a sad day when respected arbiters of opinion on the right can cavalierly label as merely “imperfect” (or even as “good”) men like Giuliani, who uphold the killing of the unborn and the civil codification of sodomy. With sellout sentiments like this, there is little wonder why the difference between the two parties continues to shrink, why the holder of our highest office matters less and less.

America will sadly deserve what she has coming.
— Francis M. Hannon, Jr.
Melrose, Massachusetts

TEX MESS
Re: Adam Jones’s and Frank Natoli’s letters (under “English Speaking Easy” and “Times Are Changing”) in Reader Mail’s Huckabee for President Responds:

I think Adam Jones from Texas needs to read the letter from Frank Natoli. Maybe Adam will then realize that if Texas abandons the American heritage for a Mexican heritage, then the notion that Texas is part of the United States would be subject to debate.
— Garry Greenwood
Gearhart, Oregon

ENGLISH FOR STARTERS
Re: Judd Magilnick’s Celebrate Victory on Crispin’s Day:

I was astonished, as a Scotsman, to read Judd Magilnick referring to the “underdog British” defeating the French at Agincourt.

If Mr. Magilnick cannot get that simple fact correct, I suggest respectfully that he avoids further historically based articles.

It was the ENGLISH that brilliantly defeated the larger French army in 1415.A French army in fact supported by Scotland in both men and arms, as England was then a common foe.

Not the “British,” for the simple fact that “English” and “British” are not the same, a common worldwide misconception. Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, and any of the people of those nations is “British.” A state that also did not exist in 1415, coming to being in 1707, with the voluntary joining of Scotland to the British state (unlike the Irish and Welsh, both having been forcibly made part by earlier English conquest).

Mr. Magilnick’s error was both “bad” history (and geography) and devalues the greatest ENGLISH military victory of all time.
— James Murray
Ayr, Ayrshire
Scotland

Judd Magilnick replies:
Thanks solely to the media reach of Spectator.org, CrispinsDay.com has in its one day online been visited by people from around the English-speaking world. To really get traction, Crispin’s Day probably needs some corporate funding, but from where? Merriam-Webster? Halliburton? Col. Sanders?

The most moving response came from Iraq, apparently Tikrit, where Jim Robinette writes, “I plan on sending out the speech to my Soldiers here in Saddam Hussein’s hometown.”

Also — Mr. Murray from Ayrshire seems to have a point there regarding my misuse of the term “British” — so he can take a number and line up behind earlier complainers who said I could not refer to “The Russian Empire” when I meant “The Soviet.” (It’s an American thing.)

Nonetheless, my counsel, Arlen Specter, has advised me to invoke Scottish Law — so, as far as the accusation that the piece “devalues the greatest ENGLISH victory of all time,” I’ll plead “not proven.”

NATCHEZ MOBILES
Re: Leonard Ciccone’s letter (under “Running on Empty”) in Reader Mail’s Clintons Going Wild:

If my wife’s and my recent trip back from the Arkansas Ole Miss football game last Sunday is any indication, Leonard Ciccone’s question about the fate of antique car hobbyists can be somewhat confirmed.

As we drove on a gorgeous Sunday winding our way up the Natchez Trace Parkway (the famous arch bridge near the northern end is ten miles from my home) we passed what had to be 50-75 Model-T Ford’s.

At one stop I asked a couple with one what they were doing and it’s a club where members from all over the country meet up and drive them on a well planned trip. Well planned because he told me they only get about 25-30 miles per tank. He was leaving so I didn’t get to ask if they plan the stops for gas or if they have a truck with 50 gallons or so in back to refuel.

Either way, it was quite a sight as their number never seemed to end. Between them and the bikers (motorized and pedaled) it’s quite the drive for clubs. I don’t know if the Natchez Trace counts as a backroad, but it’s close.
— Greg Barnard
Franklin, Tennessee