The American Spectator

Reader Mail

Vital Signs

4.3.09 @ 6:01AM

(Page 2 of 3)

The overwhelming question for our time is whether our republic is that corrupt, or whether we can still use principles and our Constitution to stop this terrible and hate-filled impending destruction.

I'm trying so hard to be positive and optimistic.
-- A. C. Santore

SPRING CLEANING
Re: Lisa Fabrizio's Spring Ahead:

Just getting to my reading this morning -- but being from Connecticut what naturally jumped right out at me was Chris Dodd heading an investigation of any kind. Seems ole Dodd isn't doing too well here in Connecticut and I couldn't be happier.
-- Jane McNair
Mystic, Connecticut

QUESTIONABLE ASSERTIONS
Re: Doug Bandow's Old Nato Turns 60:

It is somewhat daring to question Mr. Bandow, who has most impressive credentials.

I begin by agreeing that some of what he says is valid, but let me just name some of his most important statements that are both unsupported and at least arguably false.  Perhaps he'll elucidate and validate them.

"...the U.S. got little out of the trans-Atlantic alliance, whose members went their own way whenever they felt like it."

"But U.S. troops remain on station throughout the continent. Whatever they are doing, it is not protecting America."

"The Russian Humpty Dumpty has fallen off of the wall and Moscow can't put it back together without spending money it doesn't have."

"Second, the Europeans are capable of containing Moscow if the latter should threaten the continent."

"Despite the fears of Russia's immediate neighbors, the 'old' Europeans know that the prospect of a Russian invasion is a paranoid fantasy."

"Third, the expansion of NATO is creating a more rather than less dangerous world for America. Since the end of the Cold War the alliance has drawn the U.S. into conflict rather than protected Americans from conflict."

Letter to the Editor