The American Spectator

Reader Mail

The Outsider Insider

7.10.08 @ 12:01AM

(Page 4 of 4)

Last evening on Brit Hume's hour there was a old interview with Senator and Mrs. Helms. At one point, she took part in the conversation a little more than she felt warranted and although she knew her subject well, said, "I'm sorry, maybe I am talking too much..." At which point , Senator Helms leaned forward, patted her hand and said "No, no, you just go on." Senator Helms graciously shared the interview.
-- Diane Smith

MASQUERADE
Re: Brian Iller's letter (under "Hack Away") in Reader Mail's Medal Performance:

It may be of interest to you that most readers of TAS see nothing wrong with "Bush's seizure of executive power." (Just how do you seize executive power when you are the executive?) What Bush and every President since Ford have done is assert their constitutional authority against Congress's attempts to micro-manage another branch of government. (Separation of Powers, anyone?)

Just why do you think Johnny G-man is spying on you? What makes you think Johnny can do so without a warrant? If, however, you are talking about whether Johnny is monitoring and tapping the phones of those with ties to known terrorists groups... well, I HOPE SO. Who knew that lurking in the penumbras of the Constitution, unnoticed lo these two centuries, has been a First Amendment right to communicate privately overseas, in wartime, with enemy operatives plotting to murder Americans? In the real system of separated powers devised by the Framers, the courts of the United States had no role -- none -- in defending this nation from foreign threats. That was to be the job of the president and the Congress, which is to say, the officials actually accountable to the citizens whose lives were at stake. (Let us remember Congress had both its hands in this too.)

As far as the "no-bid" contracts, you are most likely referring to Halliburton. Halliburton may be the devil incarnate, but there are only two companies in the entire world that provide the special oil services that were needed in Iraq. One is American. One is French. Excuse me if I don't lose any sleep because Francois loses out.

And, again, where does this fairytale of the ravenous love affair petroleum fat cats have for the Republican Party come from? It is a notable actuality that fat cats of any variety of a do not share the enthusiasm conservative little folk have for free and open trade or limited government. As far as the oil tycoons are concerned, if Congress through its web of laws and regulations reduces competition you won't here them crying in their beer. If a larger government serves their interests -- which it certainly does -- they aren't about to object. What is also notable is the impressive array of the wealthy lined up for the Democrat Party. Why don't you look it up sometime who is handing over the big checks to the Dems. Explain why the average donation to the Republican Party is smaller than that to the Democrats. I can tell ya that it ain't because Bill Unionman is more generous with his checkbook than the average Joe and Joni.

Lastly, if you were actually were "just a moderate independent," you might have at least paid lip service to the opposing arguments.
-- Mike Dooley

NO ALTERNATIVE
Re: Jeffrey Lord's Dewey, McCain, and the Politics of Personal Honor:

Mr. Lord's most recent offering struck a chord with me. The suggestion that Sen. McCain's self-absorption with his personal honor really twanged my internal tuning mechanism.

Not just much, but EVERYTHING is made of his constancy with respect to not accepting proffered early release from the Hanoi Hilton. At first blush, to the non-prior-service types, this would seem a monumental exemplar of courage and constancy. Not to mention loyalty and genuine love. And to a degree it obviously was. But there is a description in his treatment of Pickett's charge by Shelby Foote that offers useful analysis. As Pickett's men were waiting in the shelter of a treeline during the preliminary bombardment, a rabbit darted out in front of the Confederates and headed for the safety of the tall grass. "Run brother rabbit, a rebel uttered, if I was you, I'd run too." Meaning, it was obviously the only thing that was going to insure survival in the coming tragedy. The point was, and is; the Civil War soldier, whether he be from the Iron Brigade or the Stonewall Brigade knew he could never run. At least if he wanted to go back to the hometown that produced his unit. His friends would always know if he lurched cowardly...and would never forget. So it was with McCain. Even to those of us, to whom what he is so almighty proud of means much, we know he never really had a choice. He couldn't accept early release, ever. Not if he truly wanted to go home.
-- J.C. Eaton
Chetek, Wisconsin

HARD TO SWALLOW
Re: G. Tracy Mehan, III's This Bud's Not for You:

Ownership of Anheuser-Busch by a European brewer could only improve the product. Bud is a revolting bitter slurry unsuitable for drinking. Of course millions of dullards slurp that dreadful taste killing inebriant in the same way millions of dullards watch synapse dissolving commercial and cable TV and drive 50-100 miles a day to/from work in their 15mpg 5000lb vehicles etc. etc. Products of Public education enjoying pop-culture washed down with a gagging effluent of matching quality.

I never pass up an opportunity to tell someone who cares, my opinion of Bud, or should it be more accurately called Scrud. Take the blind taste test with two identical opaque steins; drink a descent German, Belgian, Danish or Czech Pilsner chilled, then a swallow of an equally chilled Scrud.
-- Wil
Indy

Letter to the Editor

topics:
Taxes, Education, Trade, John McCain, Bill Clinton, Business, Sports, Abortion, Constitution, Law, Iraq, Iran, NATO, Immigration, Oil