The American Spectator

Exceptional

Thank you all for a truly exceptional issue (TAS, December 2008/January 2009). All of the articles were outstanding. Michael Novak’s and Roger Scruton’s were exceptional. Ben Stein and I have some significant differences of opinion, but his comments about Henry Paulson are right on. I just wish he wouldn’t whine so much about hotels and airplanes. We all suffer as business travelers. Thanks again and keep up the fight.
TOM MICHAELS
Via the Internet

Outstanding

Neal Freeman’s “Goodbye to Most of That” (TAS, November 2008) was outstanding. He beautifully summarized and clearly articulated so many of my own thoughts regarding the two presidential candidates. I wish it had been published earlier so that I could have used it in discussions with some of my iron-headed friends, who see things only through the eyes of the elephant or the jackass.

Hopefully, my own vote will ultimately prove to be the right one. Using the write-in option, I inserted the words “God Help Us”!
ROD McCARTHY
Elverson, Pennsylvania

No Good

 “The Good War? Maybe Not” by Tom Bethell (TAS, December 2008/January 2009) was drivel. Silly emotional drivel, from a man who should know better. Victor Davis Hanson and many others have already laid Buchanan to rest in his grave on this question. Why did The American Spectator let Bethell ignore the arguments made by Hanson as if they were not in the minds of the reading public?
JACK HECTORMANN
Via the Internet

Talent show

I enjoyed Jonathan Aitken’s column on the biblical view of capitalism (“Godless Capitalism,” TAS, November 2008), but I thought he could have chosen a better parable to illustrate his point. In the 25th chapter of Matthew Jesus relates the parable of the eight talents. A man leaving on a journey entrusts a number of silver talents to each of his three servants. On his return two servants report investment returns of 100 percent. Each is told, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant,” and given a promotion. The third reports that he was afraid of losing the talent so he buried it and then presented it back to his master. The master gives that talent to the others and berates the third as “thou wicked and slothful servant” and orders to “cast ye the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness [where] there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Can’t get much clearer that that.
KEVIN DENTON
Via the Internet

For the birds

Wlady Pleszczynski shares his affection for his cats (“Shades of Blue,” TAS, November 2008), and reveals he allows them to run loose all day for “solitary hunting.” I have neighbors like that who permit their cats to camp out at my bird feeder. These cats are fair game for my live trap and then removed by Animal Control employees. I have more concern for birds than cats. Thank you for a great magazine.
MICHAEL RUFF
Fayetteville, North Carolina