The American Spectator

Reader Mail

European Airs

10.6.08 @ 12:01AM

(Page 4 of 5)

Governor Palin got in a not-too-subtle dig at the media in her final comments, a dig that I am sure most of them missed or ignored. While making her final comment, she let it be known that she is aware of the dreadful, underhanded treatment heaped on her by the MSM when she said how glad she had been able to participate in the debate and how much she enjoyed being able to speak directly to the people without being filtered (read devious editing) by the media.
-- Tom Bullock
West Covina, California

CHAMPS AND CHUMPS
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell's Championing Obama:

It is called a Basic Assumption and was first identified by Wilfred Bion in the late 1930s early 1940s when asked to treat British soldiers suffering what was then called shell shock.

It has three levels. The highest level and the one to which you refer is the most dangerous. It is manifested by the sufferer putting their total being into that of the "champion."

It only will cease on the total destruction or even death of said champion. To wit, Princess Diana, Adolph Hitler, John Lennon. Every country or locality has their "champion."

The worry about that, is just how many people cannot think for themselves and thus end up distraught and deluded.
-- Tim

NOT MADISON'S BAILOUT
Re: Quin Hillyer's Maddening for Madisonians:

Not long ago, on these very pages, the question was asked, "what's the worst that can happen with an Obama presidency?" A plethora of answers were offered, and while the list was terrifying, it was far from exhaustive. At that time America was not facing a financial meltdown along with a Congress that was wildly out of control. Mr. Hillyer finds comfort in that "new generation of conservative leaders" are starting "to come of age," but the will there be a future in which these leaders can take their place? Will America continue to be an America that we can recognize? We are watching, often passively, the transfer of power from the people to the government that may prove to be unprecedented in any democratic country or possibly the history of the world itself.

The Federalist and other writers of the Constitution were fearful of an overly aggressive central government. They included provisions for the people to take back their government from tyrannical leadership. But as Benjamin Franklin wrote over 200 years ago, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." The American citizenry must make its voice heard now. The message is a simple one: no bailout. We are willing to suffer a recession but we are not willing to be servants to an overreaching and unconstitutional government. Governments are to serve the people and not the other way around.
-- Ira M. Kessel
Rochester, New York

ROUSH, DOOLEY, AND ROGER WATERS
Re: Mike Roush's letter (under "Roush Hearts Conservatives") in Reader Mail's No Questions Asked:

As I wrote in my earlier letter, it is nice to have Mr. Roush back again. Alas, it seems that his little vacation has dulled his sense of humor -- even if only a little bit. Be that as it may, I seem to have hurt his feelings at the suggestion that the comity between he and his "friends and acquaintances who are conservative" might be somewhat illusory: "Has it ever occurred to you that most conservatives and liberals are people of good will who, confident in their philosophical positions, acknowledge areas of agreement, while vigorously and civilly debating their differences in the pursuit of greater understanding?"

I ask for Mr. Roush's indulgence on this point. Whenever Liberals start telling us what swell people they are and how groovy things are between them and those they disagree with, all sorts of caution lights and warning bells go off. I have no doubt that Mr. Roush believes all is just ducky between himself and his unlike-minded company. But self-deception being what it is, rather than having Mr. Roush telling us how his Conservative friends think about the matter, it would be edifying to hear what they themselves have to say.

Why? In contrast to their own self-image, Liberals are as narrow-minded, bigoted and vindictive a folk you could find -- perhaps a little more so when one takes into account their propensity for self-righteousness. As most Conservatives have experienced, when sharing a social occasion with a Liberal, one has to choose one's words carefully or all hell breaks out. When in a Liberal's presence, his outrage and indignation are always just a silly, little syllable away.

Is it possible Liberals and Conservatives can get together and have a profitable conversation? Sure. Is it possible for Mr. Roush, Clay Aiken and I to get together and pass a joint at a Pink Floyd concert? Sure.

There is one man who by all accounts who had the most catholic acceptance of those different from himself. William F. Buckley was known to be a charming host and warm friend to Conservative and Liberal alike. He had a personal loyalty for his friends that didn't end at ideological fences. He was a fine and rare human being. You, Mr. Roush, may be a lot of good things; but, even you have to admit, you are no William F. Buckley.
-- Mike Dooley

Letter to the Editor

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