The American Spectator

Reader Mail

A NATION OF IDIOTS
Re: David N. Bass's The Not So Greatest Generation:

I have four kids under the age of 55 and I don't trust anyone under the age of 65. Never saw so many people become such idiots in the history of this country.
-- Jo Dermody

I think the names of the Three Stooges may be beyond the under-30 crowd -- when (and where) I was growing up, they were on practically every afternoon after school, but these days, and for some time, it's been taken up by assorted talk shows and sobfests, plus a few more recent-vintage sitcoms. The Three Stooges may be lost in the mists of time to them -- i. e.: it came and went before they were born.

You might have better luck getting them to name, say, the past and current cast of "Desperate Housewives." But don't ask me -- I've never been able to sit through an entire episode without channel surfing.
-- Robert Nowall
Cape Coral, Florida

CARELESS LOVE
Re: R. Emmett Tyrrell, Jr.'s Nicholson Baker Coogler:

How I love the annual J. Gordon Coogler award -- let me tell you the ways...
-- M.J. Casey
North Miami Beach, Florida

HILLARY'S EGO TO AL'S ID
Re: George Neumayr's The Cavalcade of Cant:

When reading Freud's old papers one becomes acutely aware that the great doctor dreaded the "hysterical" patient. Here was his greatest obstacle, his most profound disappointment, the one form of illness he came to hold out the least amount of hope for a cure, even a containment or recognition of its insidious energies to harm the patient and damage so many others.

For the reader, he gives examples of such people, enough space for realizing the signs of hysteria.

Tell me Al Gore, Hillary Clinton, Michael Moore...god this list could go on (even I may qualify): Are these people hysterics?

Yes, they just might be. My opinion, based on what I think I know. Freud came to not want such as patients, and I don't want such as leaders.

Enter stage left the Rolling Stones singing their song about satisfaction.

One has to find some humor in times like this, even if dark in content.

Never thought I'd have a new 1000 yard stare!
-- R.Philips
New Mexico

AND PIGS WILL FLY
Re: Peter Ferrara's Obama's Race to the Past:

"And the minute Obama proposes any tax increase for anyone in the bottom 95%, I expect the grassroots to rise up and call on him to resign, for obtaining office under false pretenses."

Right.

And that groundswell of public sentiment will coincide with the realization by the advocacy/adversary media that rather than spending on all time focusing on Sarah Palin's wardrobe and child and grandchild, they needed delve deeper into who Obama is and what he really stands for -- socialist government, ignorant-of-economics socialist government; redistribution of wealth; and abortion, among other things. 

As for "skin in the game," I presume that Obama lingo, taken from the street, means more taxes. Well, sir, I'm now about as skinned as I can take it.
-- C. Kenna Amos
Princeton, West Virginia

OY OY OY!
Re: Hal G.P. Colebatch's Prince Harry and the Jew-Haters:

No, sir, they don't share your view nor will they ever. What you have here is the usual noxious emanations emitted by the usual left wing useful idiot bureaucratic pond scum rampaging about the planet. After all, sir, you are only just another 'Aussie' who incidentally seems to have your head screwed on.
-- M.J. Casey
North Miami Beach, Florida

TOO MUCH FUN NOT TO
Re: Jeffrey Lord's Wouldn't It Be Rich: Should the Right Bush Obama?:

Respectfully, I think that Barack Hussein Obama should be afforded the same level of respect, with the same intensity and regularity that the Democrats, liberals and leftists gave George W. Bush while he was in office.
-- C. Kenna Amos
Princeton, West Virginia

MEMBER OF THE MACHINE, AND PROUD
Re: Thom Bateman's letter (under "Called Out") in Reader Mail's Sharpen Your Axe:

On the issue of choice, agreed: every action is a choice. But you write of absolutes, and while living on absolute principles sounds like a wondrous thing to do, I live in a real world where that luxury is not easily afforded. I will state that I live in New York for personal reasons and leave it at that. As for being a teacher, I can think of a precious few higher callings but only a precious few.

Agreed, unions, by their nature represent the collective and are interested in the collective good. The counter-force of capitalism is focused on individual gain. The two forces work towards a balance. Ideally, capitalists would pursue only ethical and moral means of producing profit, but again, in the real world this is not so. Seeking humane treatment for workers from unchecked and immoral capitalists was original raison d'être of unions. Since then, both capitalists and unions have sought power for the sake of power; this leads to moral blindness and little room for concern for the consequences on individuals and collectives.

Striking is a legitimate tool. In and or itself, it is not an unethical practice. It is one of many tools the union may use. The countervailing and balancing power of the capitalist/management is the lock out. As you mentioned WMD's, yes, commerce is a lot like war. Unilateral disarmament is dangerous. As a wise man once said, "Trust. But verify."

Am I part of the "Democrat Party machine of New York State"? Yes. Affirmative. Touché! My belonging is a secondary effect of doing exactly what I want to do with my life. I take into account the moral and ethical considerations of my actions (i.e., choices). Ultimately, I do enrich my life and pocketbook by teaching, but I also enrich the lives of thousands of students. I am more than okay with the trade off of working for the machine and providing for me, mine and the nation. In a word, working for the union is in my own self-interest, a true Libertarian idea.

Mr. Bateman, you have many ideas on how to run my life. I have none for yours. Simply stated, I would be speaking in complete ignorance. It is not a pretty habit for anyone and is counter to conservative and libertarian ideals.
-- Ira M. Kessel
Rochester, New York

MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS
Re: Donavan Wilson's Michelle's Mission:

Sounds great, I challenge President Elect Obama to provide scholarships to two children from D.C. to attend the Sidwell Friends School.
-- Anthony Gemma