The American Spectator

Reader Mail

The Great Miscommunicator

5.30.08 @ 12:01AM

(Page 4 of 4)

UP FROM ATHEISM
Re: Logan Paul Gage's Where the Evidence Leads:

Not to be too contrary on Mr. Gage's considered judgment of Anthony Flew's change of heart, his "pilgrimage of reason" in matters in his sliding out of the atheist camp. One could also take a rather snarky position, that is more real life realizations of increasing age like, Oh, I don't know, a thought totally at random like: "I'm damn near seventy now and I think I better hedge my bets."
-- Craig Sarver
Seattle, Washington

FANTASY LAND
Re: James David Dickson's Tired Superpower:

The La-La Land where the U.S. can withdraw from the world has been tried. It should be remembered that Pearl Harbor was carried out because the Japan did not want the potential, repeat, potential of an American response to a Japanese attack on the Dutch East Indies, French Indochina, or the British possessions to interfere with their drive for Empire.

The idea that "they won't bother us if we don't bother them" falls apart because our adversaries, even if they don't want our territory, might still wish to neutralize us before moving on to their real objectives.
-- Craig A. Zimmerman
Nairobi, Kenya

SIGNING ON
Re: Jeffrey Lord's Seeing Evil: The Arms of John McCain:

Just finished reading Mr. Lord's insightful contribution, "Seeing Evil." Allow me to take a minute of your time to express my gratitude and respect for the writing and clarity of moments in history and how they relate to what is going on in the world of today. Appeasement is very frightening and dangerous. History has shown what it can do and what events could have been prevented. Yes, I agree with Mr. Lord on his view of good vs. evil.

As far as Senator McCain, I did not know the extent of his injuries while taken and imprisoned in Hanoi. I am at fault for not knowing this and ashamed for not looking into the life and times of such a man. Perhaps those who criticize and belittle him for not caring about our men and women in the armed forces should (as the saying goes) walk in his shoes before opening their mouths. I shall vote for the senator this coming fall and be very honored to do so.

Thanks again Spectator (of which I'm an avid reader) and a big shout out to Mr. Jeffrey Lord. Mr. Lord has written a wonderful piece. Thank You.
-- Art Pingree
New York City

FREE TO FLAIL
Re: Gail Lightfoot's letter (under "Strawman") in Reader Mail's Crying Foul:

I am not persuaded as Gail Lightfoot is that the issue of Libertarians supporting kiddie porn is settled by saying most libertarians "ha[ve] never supported kiddie porn." Libertarians are in the habit of saying they do not approve of "X" (drug use, abortion, Barney the Dinosaur, etc,) but do not believe the government has any legitimate business passing a law(s) against it. Would the same pattern apply to kiddie porn? I can imagine Libertarian philosophy answering either way according to its principles; but we should let Libertarians speak for themselves. I have no doubt the lion's share of Libertarians are repulsed by "kiddie" porn. However, is this another case of "I am personally opposed, but..."?
-- Mike Dooley

Jeremy Lott replies:
The three candidates for the Libertarian Party presidential nomination that attended the Reason magazine event (Bob Barr, Mike Gravel, and Wayne Allyn Root), were not only "personally opposed" to child pornography but said that it should be illegal as well, and looked kind of shocked that anyone would ask such a question. Two of those candidates, Barr and Root, then went on to win the party's presidential and vice presidential nominations. A fourth candidate, Mary Ruwart, who came in second to Barr for the presidential nod of the LP, did take something like the "personally opposed, but" position. It's very likely that Ruwart's writings on kiddie porn -- and, ahem, the amplification of those writings by certain media outlets -- cost her the nomination. You're welcome, Libertarians.

HAT TIP
Re: Joseph Baum's letter (under "Quick Word, Good Doctor") in Reader Mail's Crying Foul:

Touche'!
-- Andrew J. Macfadyen, M.D.
Omaha, Nebraska

Letter to the Editor

topics:
John McCain, Business, Abortion, Books, Law, Military, Iraq, NATO, Conservatism, Oil