The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Republican Surge

7.28.08 @ 12:01AM

(Page 2 of 5)

But be happy. Your work here is well done. He will never sleep soundly again. He will, in the silent dark, know he is living a lie.
-- Jay W. Molyneaux
North Carolina

Lawrence, you strike me as having way too much on your plate right now to worry about losing the supposed friendship of a pompous twit. Based on your description of your college relationship, it seems to have been based on a common interest, namely a mutual appreciation of how wonderful he is. Perhaps his fan club is large enough now that he can be more selective in whom he lets into it.

I have reread your column in question and can assure you that it is so inoffensive as to be almost bland. Maybe he saw your criticism of elites as being directed at him. Who knows? I would chalk all this up to the fact that since college you have grown up and he has not. It may be as simple as that.
-- Glen Hoffing
Shamong, New Jersey

Mr. Henry, you are one of my favorite writers at TAS. I am saddened by the meanness of your old European acquaintance.

I would suggest that he is not an old friend. Friends are those that are willing to take a bullet or jump in front of a truck (figuratively, if not literally) for each other. He may be an associate, an acquaintance or a once friend, but he has definitely ceased to be a current friend.

One of the great realizations I have had in my fifty or so years is that, at any point in time we have relatively few true friends. In my observations it seems that the usual number is just three to five. Particularly blessed folks may have more, but the work and commitment required to develop and maintain true friendships prevents us from properly developing those relationships.

My great challenge is to identify those in my circle of close acquaintances who I can truly call a friend. It is with those folks that I want to invest my time and resources. Life is too short to miss opportunities at building friendships with those that will stand with me for no other reason than it is me and we are friends.

My hope for you is that, when needed, you will find your friends close to your side.
-- Joe Strader
Glasgow, Kentucky

Let me try to explain to the bewildered Mr. Henry what irked his expat friend in Europe. In defining "elite" he defined his friend. And it cut too close to the bone. Larry, being the good soul he is, is the victim of unrequited love. He admired the talent and thought he admired the man. It's not the same. But it is better to be Lawrence Henry than Guitar Man who doesn't love his country enough to live in it.
-- Diane Smith

BUCK ROGERS STOPS HERE
Re: George H. Wittman's Dr. Strangelove Visits Iran:

George Wittman's article should more probably have been titled, "Buck Rogers Visits Iran." Though very interesting, the use of any of these weapons is unlikely. Any military engagement with Iran will almost certainly be conducted with conventional weaponry.

To begin with, it is almost a certainty that no U.S. forces will participate in a preemptive strike upon Iranian nuclear sites and facilities. This will be carried out by the Israelis. In what is an interesting departure from historical operations, the Israelis have not only said that they will remove Iran's nuclear facilities, but have conducted not-so-very secret maneuvers practicing for the event. This suggests that they have assurances of some type of U.S. support for their operation, probably intelligence and material support.

The U.S. will, in all likelihood, not become operationally involved until Iran either closes the Straits of Hormuz or launches chemical, biological, nuclear or other retaliatory strikes against Israel and the Gulf States. Then military targets; missile launchers, radar facilities, troop and vessel staging areas, etc.; will be targeted and removed by Air Force and Naval Air assets, Naval missile and gun batteries and SpecOps personnel. There will be no "invasion" of Iran and the U.S. will be acting in the defense of allies in the region. Additional operational engagement will depend upon the Iranian reaction to these measures. And Israeli nuclear capability must never be discounted.

Will EMP, laser and other futuristic weapon systems in America's arsenal be used? Possibly. But military commanders are notoriously conservative when it comes to depending upon untried technology and the U.S. possesses a great deal of the most advanced battle-tested conventional weaponry on the planet. If Iran does not get the message, look for a use of conventional weapons and then only after Iran engages in a military offensive. I do not believe that the U.S. will engage in preemptive military action against Iran. The same can not be said for Israel.

As Mr. Wittman pointed out, the ball is most definitely in Iran's court. Lat us all hope that they do not make a strategic error and ignore the near certainty of an Israeli attack. Or making that mistake, that they do not attempt to close the Straits or attack their neighbors following action by Israel.
-- Michael Tobias

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