The American Spectator

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(Page 5 of 6)

NOT A LOT OF WHITE
Re: George H. Wittman's Russia's Dirty Big Secret:

In "Russia's Dirty Big Secret," George Wittman puts his finger on a reality in Russia that is crucial to understand. As he says, Russian law enforcement is mobbed up. That might not be a big surprise given our developed reflex of adding the word 'mafia' to the word 'Russian.' But how many people realize that the notion of 'mafia' in Russia includes the state, the bureaucracy, private business people, as well as traditional thugs? During my 7 years of living in the Soviet Union and Russia and working with the Russian police, KGB, and other agencies, it was not surprising to hear about shoot-outs between various law enforcement agencies for control of pieces of the economy, including customs posts, ports, airports, factories, and so on. There is little black-and-white, good guy/bad guy distinction on the Russian criminal landscape. Like many Russian winter days, it's all shades of gloomy grey.
-- Joe Serio
Author, Investigating the Russian Mafia

SOLD OUT
Re: Jeff Emanuel's Mark Sanford Bails Out:

We need the Republicans who voted against the Stimulus Package but are now accepting stimulus money to be held accountable for their actions. They need to be contacted, but there is almost no way to reach representatives, governors, etc. unless one lives in their district or state. There must be a way to get lists of these turncoats as well as their email addresses and phone numbers.

This insanity must stop or there will not only be a revolt 'on paper' but a physical one as well. Right-minded conservatives are getting fed up with the wimpy Republicans who are sabotaging our country in concert with the liberals.
-- Jim Umhofer

FOR PETE'S SAKE
Re: Quin Hillyer's We're Not OK, Jack: 

Being a conservative (i.e., not a Republican), I know full well the last thing I want appearing on the scene is Kemp II.

Scorched into my heart and mind is the trip the dudly duo (Kemp and His Holiness Father William) made to California in September 1994 to urge Republicans to vote against the "racist" Proposition 187. Of course, the MSM made full use of their preaching and succeeded in changing the votes of some voters, not by reason but by reason of "guilt." One "former" liberal of some influence, wavering on the fence, was Rabbi Prager. Their arguments did sway him, and he widely publicized the fact that he would vote NO.

Fortunately, a supermajority of California voters at that time (including many -- if not most -- Mexican-Americans who were grossly offended by the Left's lies, and vicious tactics) were smart enough to adopt the proposition. Sadly, when the ACLU's puppet judge stayed enforcement for a year, Pete Wilson (the only other Republican I've ever seen who compares to Reagan) was term-limited out of office before he could take the case to the Supreme Court.

Had the will of the people, Proposition 187, been enforced, California would be a far better, far more prosperous state today. And the fight against illegal immigration would have taken a turn in the citizens' favor.

What we need now Sir, is another Pete Wilson. Not another Kemp -- or 98% of the Republicans in Washington.
-- James Farrell

I wrote a letter to Editor (Times Herald Record, Middletown, NY) concerning Rep. Jack Kemp way back in the '80s. He was supporting the removal of the state income tax deduction on federal taxes. He clearly stated that "this deduction subsidizes large bloated high tax state governments at the expense of well run low tax states." He was vilified by many New Yorkers, but he was of course was correct and honest!
-- Steve Donnelly

DOESN'T LOOK GOOD
Re: Hal G.P. Colebatch's Britain's Anti-Christian Kulturkampf: 

I share the concern of many moderate family people about what amounts to a virtual war against Christianity by, essentially, bullies misusing their position within city councils, NGOs and various other groupings of the all-too-familiar apparatchiks in Britain.

The same disparagement of Christianity is now also under way in New Zealand, spear-headed by our Left extremists and "liberals," whose recent left-wing Labour government, headed by a feminist with ambitions to hold a very important United Nations position, was resoundingly defeated in our recent elections.