Reader Mail
Paying Dues
All the Kennedys' men. The day of service. Unpolite heroics. Plus more.
(Page 3 of 3)
NICENESS IS RUDE
Re: Marilia Duffles'
We Are a Rude Awakening:
If nothing else, the health care crisis is flushing out the phonies, the intellectuals who disdain true passion because it is -- well, so messy, you know. Ms. Duffles and her ilk instruct us: Be nice. It sounds haughty no matter how it is phrased.
George H.W. Bush was nice: he agreed to raise taxes when Democrats promised to apply the money to deficit reduction. Bush's acquiescence became a brickbat against him, the money bought Democrat votes, and Bush lost the 1992 election. George W. Bush spent eight years being nice to Democrats, who correctly inferred moral weakness (contrast Bush's treatment of Sandy Burger and Scooter Libby -- enough said) and took it as license to decimate the conservative agenda.
Congressional Republicans have been nice and civil and cooperative since the 1930s, even with recent large majorities in both houses of Congress. Their collegiality earned them nothing -- unless you count voter disgust, which led to enormous Democrat super-majorities, which is how we find ourselves in today's crisis.
If we lose this round, we probably lose the Republic. Perhaps it
is already too late. Still, we must fight on. Conservatives have
been scrupulously nice in the face of moral savagery for decades,
which has led us to this terrible place. If a little rudeness is
all it takes to save the American Experiment, we all -- including
pedants like Ms. Duffles -- should count it cheap at the
price.
-- Mark Petrina
Benicia, California
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Alan Brooks| 9.2.09 @ 11:22AM
"In 2010 and 2012 we will see "throw-the-bums-out" legislative cycles which will make 1980 and 1994 pale by comparison.
-- Chris Hall "
2010 will see another Gingrich, a Speaker Moonbeam, elected. But I'll wager a dime to every donut Obama will be re-elected. You are underestimating him even more than you did Clinton way back in the day. Obama is a solid family man. and he's lowballing his cards.
I wont fall for attacks on Obama; he's a winner and that is all that counts in a Darwinist world.
Fool me once shame on the GOP
fool me twice, shame on me
btw, Ted didn't need wings to get to heaven, he flew there on coke.
("Brooks, enough with the cocaine jokes!")
Alan Brooks| 9.2.09 @ 11:51AM
You dont really take politics at face value, do you?
Obama will abandon cap and trade, heathcare, after a Gingrich is elected in november of next year. Then he'll move to the right until november
2012.
btw, Ted's coke spoon set off the metal detector at the Pearly Gate.
("oh, Brooks")
Alan Brooks| 9.2.09 @ 11:54AM
the customs officer at the Pearly Gate was set to examine Ted's luggage, but he was told Ted has diplomatic immunity.
David Govett| 9.2.09 @ 12:04PM
Those who predict that voters will throw out incompetent (not to mention dangerous) politicians underestimate the gullibility of many American voters, whose attitude is be that, while other politicians may warrant removal, mine is giving me what I want. Gimme. Gimme. Gimme. That's the credo of many--and at present the majority of--Americans, sad to say.
Alan Brooks| 9.2.09 @ 3:16PM
Very few want their grandparents to get cut off.
Then Gran and Gramps lose out on a second car, a trip to Aruba.
Rory| 9.2.09 @ 9:30PM
Stalin was a good family man, too. Doesn't mean I want him to be president.
Daisy| 9.2.09 @ 9:38PM
Mr. Petrina, great letter--thank you!
I couldn't agree more. Why must Republicans ALWAYS bring a knife to a gun fight? No wonder we are in so much trouble.
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Obama will abandon cap and trade, heathcare, after a Gingrich is elected in november of next year. Then he'll move to the right until november
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