The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives

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Mount Vernon Conservatives

By W. James Antle, III on 2.16.10 @ 6:10AM

An early look at a new manifesto for the right.

Together, President Barack Obama, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi were supposed to usher in a new era of liberal dominance. The defeated conservative remnant, it was predicted, would then turn against each other, bereft of ideas and reduced to cannibalizing their own movement.

Election results in places as varied as Virginia, New Jersey, and Massachusetts have complicated the first part of this storyline. This week, a meeting of the nation's leading conservative activists, intellectuals, and political leaders hopes to disprove the second.

On Wednesday, more than 80 conservative thinkers and organization heads will come together to ratify a joint manifesto ahead of the 2010 elections. Dubbed the Mount Vernon Statement, its goal is to unite the right -- economic, social, and national security conservatives -- under a set of shared principles. The idea is to make different conservative groups feel part of the same team and also to bind them in a common intellectual enterprise.

Participants read like a virtual who's who of conservative movement heavyweights: former Attorney General Edwin Meese, American Conservative Union Chairman David Keene, Heritage Foundation President Edwin Feulner, Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, Grover Norquist of Americans for Tax Reform, among many others. But the final product will be short on policy wonkery.

Unlike the Contract With America, the Mount Vernon Statement is not a detailed legislative agenda. Instead, it intended as a set of philosophical principles that can serve as the foundation for policy formulation later. It is less Frank Luntz than Frank Meyer.

In fact, parts read like Meyer's "fusionist" conception of conservatism. The document reminds "economic conservatives that morality is essential to limited government, social conservatives that unlimited government is a threat to moral self-government, and national security conservatives that energetic but responsible government is the key to Americas safety and leadership role in the world."

The Mount Vernon Statement specifically calls for a new "fusion provided by American principles" through "constitutional conservatism." "In recent decades, America's principles have been undermined and redefined in our culture, our universities and our politics," the document reads. "The self-evident truths of 1776 have been supplanted by the notion that no such truths exist. The federal government today ignores the limits of the Constitution, which is increasingly dismissed as obsolete and irrelevant."

"Some insist that America must change, cast off the old and put on the new," the statement continues. "But where would this lead -- forward or backward, up or down? Isn't this idea of change an empty promise or even a dangerous deception?" The Mount Vernon conservatives assert "we need a restatement of Constitutional conservatism grounded in the priceless principle of ordered liberty articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution."

"The conservatism of the Declaration asserts self-evident truths based on the laws of nature and nature's God," the platform reads. "It defends life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It traces authority to the consent of the governed. It recognizes man's self-interest but also his capacity for virtue."

"I think it's an excellent statement of conservative first principles," former Congressman David McIntosh, a leading participant in the Conservative Action Project, told TAS. "The objective was to unify various people who were conservatives who care about different aspects of conservatism. It unites all of those principles under kind of a stronghold of constitutional government."

But it is not a litmus test, McIntosh says, and a careful reading of excerpts obtained by TAS show efforts were made to accommodate different conservative perspectives. On foreign policy, this constitutional conservatism "supports America's national interest in advancing freedom and opposing tyranny in the world and prudently considers what we can and should do to that end." The framework also "honors the central place of individual liberty in American politics and life" and "informs conservatism's firm defense of family, neighborhood, community, and faith."

Writing in the Washington Times, Ralph Hallow compared the Mount Vernon Statement to the Sharon Statement adopted by Young Americans for Freedom in 1960 at the Connecticut home of William F. Buckley Jr. That earlier statement said, "The Constitution of the United States is the best arrangement yet devised for empowering government to fulfill its proper role, while restraining it from the concentration and abuse of power."

The Mount Vernon Statement will be issued the day before the opening of the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), the nation's largest gathering of conservative political activists, and at a critical point in a midterm election year. The conservatives putting the statement together hope it will guide the right in power as well as in opposition.

"I think it is always good for people who identify themselves as conservatives to sit back and think of these principles," says McIntosh. "When the economic crisis came, some in the last administration seemed to say, 'Well, we tried free-market economics, let's try something different.' When a party is in power that has a lot of conservatives in it, we tend sometimes to focus on our own issues and not the larger principles at stake."

The conservative leaders planning to sign the Mount Vernon Statement tomorrow afternoon say they hope to bring those larger principles back into focus. "We're hoping this will be picked up by the Tea Party activists as a framework," says McIntosh. "To have an impact, it must come from the people."

Click here to add your name to the Mount Vernon Statement.

topics:
Mount Vernon Statement

About the Author

W. James Antle, III is associate editor of The American Spectator. You can follow him on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/Jimantle.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (153) | Leave a comment

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 7:58AM

Michelle Malkin » The only statement of conservative principles we need links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…are coming out with new “statements” of conservative principles and legislative agendas. There’s the “Contract from America” from the Tea Party Patriots. And the “Mount Vernon” statement from various leaders of the Right. All well and good, but if the signers of all these new documents support political candidates who brazenly undermine the grand principles they put…

Franklin| 2.16.10 @ 8:34AM

I purchased several copies of a pocket sized Constitution/Declaration of Independence booklets to share with friends and family.

My brother told me he has been doing this for the last year. When he get into political conversations and someone make a statement about what is in the Constitution, he get one of the booklets, highlights the part of the Constitution that deals with what they were talking about and gives it to that person. He tells them to read the Constitution and report back to him where it supports their 'talking point'. He said he never had anyone able to do this.

Somebody should have given a copy to Nancy Pelosi when she responded to the question about where in the Constitution does is authorize mandating citizens to purchase health insurance. Her response was, (as we all know): “Are you serious? Are you serious?” He should have said “yes” and given her a copy!

Here’s one place to find them (they are $1 for each or $30 for 100): http://www.nccs.net/

Jacksonian Lawyer| 2.16.10 @ 9:34PM

While I applaud your efforts and recommend them myself, I would also like to point out that the fine, outstanding folks at Ask Heritage (aka The Heritage Foundation) will gladly supply people with a FREE pocket-sized US Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Get your copy by going to:

http://www.askheritage.org/Premium.aspx

Franklin| 2.16.10 @ 11:32PM

Thanks. I ordered one because it looked a little bigger than mine. These old eyes just don't see that small print as easily as they used to!

Copyleft| 2.16.10 @ 8:34AM

Very pretty words, nicely written by professionals.

Is anyone gullible enough to think they actually MEAN what they're saying?

MikeD| 2.16.10 @ 5:38PM

I find it interesting that every time I read any articles on American Spectator, I find you posting some sort of mindless comment. If this is so difficult for you to understand, check out the 'Daily Kos'. That's apparently more your speed. Either that, or you really have nothing to say except to whine and complain about concepts that are above your mental level.

Or, maybe you think that your brainless maunderings just might persuade these intellectual superiors that you belong in this lofty philosophical arena. Regardless, just think what all these people must think of you and your mental droppings.

Howard Ino| 2.16.10 @ 6:52PM

Copyleft...

Were YOU actually gullible enough to actually think that Obama actually MEANT what he said during his campaign?

Look at the results!

Whew... the superior mind of a leftist....

This is fun!

Copyleft| 2.17.10 @ 8:02AM

No... but then, I didn't vote for him. I recognized another corporate-money puppet in the Clinton mold: talk like a liberal, act like a conservative. And that's exactly what Obama turned out to be.

Much to the detriment of America, who is hungering for a REAL liberal in the Oval Office. Obama the Wall Street lackey doesn't even come close.

Osamas Pajamas| 2.17.10 @ 4:13PM

Maybe this copyleft cat is willing to support ideas he doesn't really accept --- in exchange for 30 pieces of silver crossing his palm [or whatever] --- but the rest of us really don't applaud the rape of the privately-employed American taxpayer.

Crusader| 2.16.10 @ 8:39AM

Aren't the Declaration of Independence and Constitution good enough?

Derek Leaberry| 2.16.10 @ 8:45AM

Without a cultural renewal, all else is a waste of time. America has become a culturally permissive cesspool since the 60s. Illegitimacy is 40 %. The divorce rate is over 50 %. Over 45 million abortions have been carried out since 1973. High schools and colleges serve as venues for sexual hook-ups. Christianity is banished from society. And even an alleged "conservative" named Dick Cheney can advocate the degeneracy of his own daughter as well as supporting sodomites in the military. Conservatives have no fight in a battle to "conserve" the repellant majority culture of America. Better for conservatives to turn our backs on a sick world, create our own institutions, and patiently wait for America to implode.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.16.10 @ 8:57AM

Thank you God, that Jesus did not turn his back on a sick world, but instead gave "The Great Commission".
Amen

Derek Leaberry| 2.16.10 @ 10:42AM

True that it is that Jesus did not turn His back on a sick world. However, Jesus did not offer a political program to counter the immorality of 2000 years ago. Instead, He offered a different way for people to live, a parallel system to the civil system of Rome. That's the solution today; modern America is too far gone to reform any time soon.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.16.10 @ 12:42PM

Well Derek,
We had best get started then. I'm getting older every day.
Perhaps you should take your family to a monastery, heh, preferably one with a vow of silence.

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 8:48AM

Mount Vernon Statement released today – Constitutional conservatism? | Radio Vice Onl links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…up this document and use it as a framework for activities, events and organization in the future. I’ll post the document when the full version is released, but here are some thoughts from American Spectator. Dubbed the Mount Vernon Statement, its goal is to unite the right — economic, social, and national security conservatives — under a set of shared principles. The idea is to make…

Ken (Old Texican) uh VI| 2.16.10 @ 8:52AM

Thank you for the heads up Mr. Antle.

We at TEAM America were delighted to contribute a couple of thoughts to the declaration.
http://judgeroy.wordpress.com

We are very gullible here at Team America. We do believe in ethics and morals and responsibility.

The communists, (pardon the shorthand), tickle us when they jump on Sarah for NOT using "pretty nicely written words", but then insist that when we DO Utilize "pretty words nicely written" that those words are just as cynically stated as their own lies.
Best regards

Copyleft| 2.16.10 @ 11:14AM

Your party leaders have demonstrated, over and over again, that the words they're spewing have zero connection to what they actually do in office.

The fascists (pardon the shorthand) amuse me when they pretend to have any influence on what their GOP masters do after bamboozling them into voting against their own interests each election day.

Jim Hlavac| 2.16.10 @ 3:32PM

Exactly true Mr. Left, the current GOP establishment did indeed go the route of "fascism" as your Dems went with "socialism." Or did they do the opposite? Hard to tell. Trouble is, sir, that both, and more, are the same: "national socialism" or "international socialism" or "Christian socialism" or "green socialism," or whatever name you all masquerade by this week, is still, well, still Socialism, and endless big government and a bizarre program of tax and control everything that moves and doesn't move until all dies within and without the Republic. So be it.

But yet this is exactly what the tea party in its amorphous state at the moment is saying -- too much socialism.

We happen to call the mollycoddling GOP "let's reach across the aisle" Republicans RINOs. or DIABLOs, or "socialist lite" or even, dare I say, "independents" or "third way" believers. They are in truth no different (oh maybe one's a navel orange and the other valencia, but still, oranges,) than each other.

But the tea party is apt to get rid of the lot of socialists by whatever name or rock they hide under.

So feel free to join the club of "keep your own money, be decent, commit no fraud, let people live the way they wish and keep government small, restricted, and local, but America strong internationally."

We welcome all to our barricades. Where be you, sir?

Copyleft| 2.17.10 @ 8:05AM

The tea partiers will have zero effect, because the GOP leadership knows that every November they'll line up and vote Republican anyway, no matter what they say in the meantime.

You're in the Republican Party's pocket, children; they OWN you. And they know it. Why bother pretending otherwise? Unless you have the guts to actually set up your own candidate to run AGAINST the D and R candidates, you'll remain powerless... mere background noise that the GOP bosses chuckle over in the back rooms where the real decisions are made.

Lawrence Boccardi| 2.16.10 @ 9:08AM

Hey Copyleft:
After a couple of days of reading your sniping, enuf! Carry your sorry butt back to Daily Kos, or wherever you came from.

Faffnir| 2.16.10 @ 11:41AM

Now, now. As one sharpens a knife on steel, not spaghetti, we should use the shining example of "copyleft" as what not to emulate. His sort of ignorance runs too deep to counter with any sort of facts or logic. We need only hold him in the benevolent contempt reserved for the deliberately feeble-minded. Ignore him and, like a mongrel dog, he will wander off to where he can beg a tastier morsel.

Copyleft| 2.17.10 @ 8:37AM

"...too deep to counter with any sort of facts or logic. "

Is that your excuse for why you can't offer any?

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.16.10 @ 11:44AM

Lawrence,
my first reaction is the same, then I always re-think it.
We really need these stupids here to remind us just how foul and worthless they truly are.

Let them spew.

Newcomers here need to see their vomit as well.

Javier R.| 2.18.10 @ 4:06AM

Im curious as to why "CopyLeft" shouldnt be posting on here. Lets engage in dialogue. Lets not look like we cant handle criticism. I am a fierce libertarian who agrees with his statement "Your party leaders have demonstrated, over and over again, that the words they're spewing have zero connection to what they actually do in office."
Im sorry but he has a point. Its been very frustrating to see real jokes like "Contract w/ America" and never see spending decrease. Now this skimpy statement is supposed to make it happen? We already have a "Contract" and a "Statement" its called the Constitution. Instead of signing some PR statement how about just signing onto the constitution like the founders did?
I have no use for Copy Left's pathetic adoration for Obama but he should be more than welcome to post his thoughts on here.

Copyleft| 2.18.10 @ 8:08AM

Thanks for the defense, Javier, but you're making some false assumptions as well. Where have I displayed ANY adoration for Obama?

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 9:35AM

What a difference a year makes. « PoliticallyEmpowered.com links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…cannot be trusted with that sacred honor. Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, and thank God we still have Americans who take that honor seriously. Read it all here: http://spectator.org/archives/2010/02/16/mount-vernon-conservatives // Posted in 1 « Finally, someone gets the Tea Parties. Leave a response Click here to cancel reply. Name * Email * Website Your response: Notify me of follow-up…

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 9:56AM

The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…“constitutional conservatism.” “In recent decades, America’s principles have been undermined and redefined in our culture, … View original post here: The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives Posted in American | Tags: america, and-redefined, been-undermined, calls-for, culture, fusion-provided, mount, mount-vernon, our-culture, principles-have, recent-decades, statement…

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 9:56AM

The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…“constitutional conservatism.” “In recent decades, America’s principles have been undermined and redefined in our culture, … Read the original here: The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives Posted in American | Tags: america, and-redefined, been-undermined, calls-for, culture, fusion-provided, mount-vernon, principles-have, recent-decades, statement Comments are closed.…

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 10:33AM

The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…through “constitutional conservatism.” “In recent decades, America’s principles have been undermined and redefined in our culture, … View post: The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives Posted in American | Tags: america, and-redefined, been-undermined, calls-for, fusion-provided, mount, principles-have, recent-decades Comments are closed. Search Search Categories

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 10:33AM

The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…“constitutional conservatism.” “In recent decades, America’s principles have been undermined and redefined in our culture, … See the original post: The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives Posted in American | Tags: america, and-redefined, been-undermined, calls-for, culture, fusion-provided, mount, mount-vernon, our-culture, principles-have, recent-decades, statement…

Citizen Jerry| 2.16.10 @ 10:35AM

It appears that Copyleft has replaced Dave Mathews as the site's resident thrower of stink bombs. Unfortunately, trolls don't go away just because we ignore them. Maybe like his predecessor, his annoying behavior will get him banished from polite discussion.

Son Of Sam| 2.16.10 @ 6:54PM

dave matthews got his a$$ banned because a whole lot of us decided to write to the powers that be at TAS and insist that they themselves remove his stinking rants. Which they did, with the upshot that Dave Matthews has had to "moveon".

stand strong until freedom dawns
Son Of Sam
http://www.samadamssos.bravehost.com/

Deborah D| 2.16.10 @ 10:41AM

This is all good news. A resurgence of conservatism is paramount to wrenching the country from the tight grip of the "progressives" (I call them regressives). They won't be happy until they are dragging all of us off the cliff with them. Let's let them fall over the cliff and cut the rope -- saving ourselves.

Al Adab| 2.16.10 @ 10:44AM

Liberal dominance did indeed arrive following the '08 election. Problem is the country doesn't like it.

Quite frankly the voters who took us down this path, for whatever reasons, deserve what they get. Whether its high taxes, inflation, centalized government control or the like. Unfortunately the rest of us on on board with them and the iceberg is dead ahead.

Perhaps the larger public will at last realize just what the Left has in mind for us Plebs. Liberty is of more importance than having our bills paid by others through Govt. extortion. We can only hope it is not now too late to turn back to principles of freedom and limited government.

Bob| 2.16.10 @ 10:54AM

This is really a dumb statement. The Obama administration has only been there for a year and taxes now are not any larger than taxes a year ago. No one likes the bailouts because the economy has not gotten better for main street.

As for limited government, here is a chart of federal spending over time. Neither Republicans or Democrats have changed the growth of government spending because the bulk of the increases are in entitlements.

http://www.heritage.org/resear.....rship.aspx

Notice that the growth of government under Reagan was just as great as any other President. No Republican will win on a platform of cutting entitlements which is why the Republican leadership will not back decent plans like those of Paul Ryan.

Al Adab| 2.16.10 @ 2:15PM

Retread the post. There is no mention in it of either party. As you point out, both are culpable as they long ago discovered it was easy to buy votes with the promise of other people's money.

Seemingly a large segment of the citizenry has finally discovered that the explosive growth of Leviathan is counterproductive to free people and their liberty. With a little luck it is not yet too late to recapture that Liberty.

Certainly you know the old saw, "Never ASSume..."

Jim Hlavac| 2.16.10 @ 3:36PM

You write: " The Obama administration has only been there for a year and taxes now are not any larger than taxes a year ago."

And what would that rise of 150% or so in tobacco taxes be called? The "same" "less" or "larger"? Do tell.

blackwatch| 2.16.10 @ 5:24PM

the true rate of taxation = the true level of government indebtedness

we all have been passing the buck literally to the next generation for way too long. Now Barry Sotero--Obama--whatever has quadruppled the deficit and increased the national debt now to 14,oo0 billion dollars. before someone pipes up $14 Trillion is $14,000 billion dollars. Trillion does not make sense to the average persons mind, but our current $1.6 trillion federal deficit is $1600 billion dollars.

Who could possible repay that? How could we repay that? We can't. We will default on it or we will repudiate our debt by printing worthless federal notes. Oh wait we are alread doing that. We're F***ed.

Buy guns, ammo, fuel, and store food& water becuase when it comes time we are going to go all medieval for a few generations. Those that don't have will take from those who do. It's the human way. Look what Stalin did to the peasants to keep the city folks alive. Starved millions of them. \\

Back to you Bob. go ahead and call me names.

Bob| 2.16.10 @ 10:48AM

Antle, I noticed you didn't comment on what is new. This is just a rehash of the "Reagan coalition". This group correctly identifies the major problem with the Republican (and for that matter, the Democrat) party -- each of the factions have divergent goals. The growth of Christian fundamentalism inside of the Republican party has lessened the focus on fiscal conservatism and true liberty. If you look at the demographics, a focus on fiscal conservatism, liberty, and fiscally sound national security without the Christian religious context would unite a large group of current Republicans, Libertarians, Independents, and conservative Democrats. A political party should not be the conduit for religion. Besides, if you take abortion out of the picture, you could make an argument that Democrats are more moral than Republicans as they promote helping the poor through income redistribution, letting people make their own decisions about their bodies, and opposing the unnecessary killing in non-essential wars.

I know that you and others at AmSpec are fearful of telling this truth to the ultra fundamentalist readers here, so I understand that you won't broach this issue.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.16.10 @ 11:47AM

Yawn..........

Al Adab| 2.16.10 @ 2:16PM

Hi Ken,
Obviously Bob knows so many things that aren't true.

Jim Hlavac| 2.16.10 @ 3:41PM

So true Ken, yawn.
The guy writes: "Democrats are more moral than Republicans as they promote helping the poor through income redistribution"
How is stealing from one person, or if you prefer, entitling one person to another's money, aka, slavery, indentured servitude, political favoritism, conceivably more moral?
And aren't conservatives more moral in that we teach the man to fish, and not just take a fish from whomever has it and give it to someone else at the point of a gun?
Why not help the poor get rich? What a concept! But no, theft and forced labor is proposed and cheered.
You got to wonder of the logic of these people.

Al Adab| 2.16.10 @ 3:59PM

Walter Williams explains it thus:

If the government through force imposes taxes and takes citizens money to give to other, government favored citizens, that is good. If I point a gun at you and take your money to give to another selected citizen that's a crime.

Pretty clear. "If hypocricy were oil, D. C. would be Saudi Arabia".

Copyleft| 2.17.10 @ 8:08AM

Taxation is a basic principle of American government. If you're opposed to taxation as a concept, then you don't belong in America, reaping the benefits of a stable society and government.

Don't let the door hit ya, Williams & Co. People who argue about the LEVEL of taxation, or how the tax revenues are USED, can stay; people who simply shout "all taxation is theft!" are idiots who have no place in grownup discussions.

Margie| 2.16.10 @ 5:06PM

Question: Is Bob able to post once without bashing Christians?
Answer: Yes. But only when he is so wrapped up in posting charts & graphs "data" that he forgets.

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 11:01AM

Logan school celebrates National African American Parent Involvement Day | The Africa links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…African … Analysis on Bharti Airtel's bid for Zain's African Business … Related posts on American DBR Haitian- American violinist « All the conducting masterclasses The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives The American Spectator : Gentlemen, Start Your Engines — Quickly! Related posts on Celebrates Columbus Office Celebrates Tenth Anniversary | Affinity Consulting … GW…

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 11:17AM

The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives | americantoday links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives |

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 11:29AM

In Leadership, The Eight Ways Of Right Action (Part 1) links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…a Leader | 9 Principles of Leadership | The Official ... Leadership & President's Day | N2Growth Blog Leadership Principles » Blog Archive » Is your area of leadership ... The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives Candidate Q&A, House District 83 « Election 2010: Lubbock ...

Yosemeti Sam| 2.16.10 @ 11:36AM

" ... who's who of conservative movement heavyweights ...."

Um, is Sarah Palins' name amongst them?

She, who does not casually bow to GOP political - totem poles?

If not:

To boy-cott a fresh wind energizing conservative keystone of American politics from any gathering of fraternity conservatives would signal ostrich behavior to - conservative 'principles' reinvigorated by Sarah Palin.

Manifesto? From summit Johnny come latelys!

Don't need no stinking scraps of highfalutin 'manifesto papers' plagiarized in tone from the real deal Constitution - to exhort with.

What's to ponder/enunciate about challenging democrats head-on and in kind?

See - Virginia, NJ, Massachusetts etc!

Voters didn't need no 'manifesto'!

Democrats are on the run from volleys of voter dudgeon!

Indeed, voters would like to put most of them in dungeons.

Follow Sarahs' lead:

Pursue - relentlessly!

Draw and quarter em.

For what damage to America them LBSM PEN1 cum liberal/leftist politicos have done; and wish to yet do.

Seek| 2.16.10 @ 11:36AM

"Christianity is banished from society."

Such a statement makes me realize that culture-war conservatives no more should be taken seriously than the Left. The decay of the conservative mind into hysteria and hatred has been evident for a good 15 years or more. Derek Leaberry is but a symptom of a larger problem.

darcy| 2.16.10 @ 6:04PM

to Seek:

It says quite a lot about you that you chose this quote from Derek to vent your spleen; it says nothing at all about Derek, who is correct in his factual statements highlighting the deleterious effects of the "liberal" ethos.

The larger problem, Seek, is that our culture, through a combination of Court rulings and unconstitutional laws -- which our media has happily championed, suffers from a crisis of identity. Are we multicultural, Christian, agnostic, irredeemably secular?

Fascist, Statist, Federalist? Unhappily, I will concede that we are all of these. But as for the hysteria and hatred you cite, I would simply suggest you look in the mirror.

To denigrate fellow Americans who promote a restoration to morality is to reveal oneself as a fool. You qualify, hands down.

Seek| 2.17.10 @ 4:05PM

I'm not "denigrating" Mr. Leaberry nor promoting "hatred" by simply pointing out that wild exaggerations and/or falsifications of fact isn't the best way for conservatives to win wider credibility before the Amerian public. A critic and a hatemonger aren't the same thing even if the more thin-skinned among us can't distinguish between the two.

Projecting motive onto reasonable statements strikes me as the mark of a fool. Look into your bathroom mirror if you want to see one.

tatosian| 2.16.10 @ 11:49AM

The conservatives supported bush's growth of bureaucracy and his numerous attempts to amnesty millions of illegal aliens - recall the attacks on border security patriots by conservative pundits and rags like the wsj. Recall CPAC's enthusiastic support of the anti-conservative mccain in 08.
Regarding mccain- were the conservatives at cpac
unaware of mccain's lack of conservative principles or did they just not care?
And should I, as an American, take comfort in their sheep like support of mccain?
Well I don't.
Conservatives never questioned bush's idiotic "islam is a religion of peace" statement either. Indeed. conservatives swallowed that nonsense whole.
As a result, American blood was shed to establish two islamic "republics" in Iraq and Afghanistan that are based on sharia law, not individual rights or freedoms.
What, am I to assume that this new conservative statement means something beyond a desperate attempt to garner themselves some political power and legitimacy?
Also - one of the signatories on that proclamation is Grover norquist, the greatest enabler of islam's jihad in America. ( http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=15084 ).
How do you call yourself a conservative organization, supposedly dedicated to constitutional principles, when one of your members has helped an ideology (islam, dedicated to destroying that same constitution) gain influence and power in the US?
Finally. The tea partiers and town hall demonstrators hit the streets this past summer as Americans, not conservatives.
You'll note that this bold conservative proclamation was not issued during the health care/stimulus debate but rather as a result of those demonstrations. Months later.
Conservatives will do what they always do- stand on the sidelines, cheer and wait for the dust to settle.
They and their republicans can issue proclamations and statements till their fingers cramp up.
History shows us that it's words. Just words.

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 12:43PM

Leadership Is Power: Test Your Ethics links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Sanken Indonesia Terbaru 2010 - Lowongan Kerja ... Kiwipolitico » Blog Archive » You are only as good as your opposition. What a Business Strategic Development Plan Should Include The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives Based On Your Color Preferences What Career Suits You? | My ... Remy International, Inc. to Supply HVH250(TM) Electric Motors to ...

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.16.10 @ 12:48PM

Hello Tatoe...heh.

Lock and load, dude. Here we come. Hide and watch.

S.L. Toddard| 2.16.10 @ 3:42PM

Heh.

taosian| 2.16.10 @ 1:16PM

"Hello Tatoe...heh.
Lock and load, dude. Here we come. Hide and watch"

(shrug) My name's tatosian, I'm in chicago and I ain't hiding behind some bogus internet handle uh, ken the texican.
That said, do what you gotta do tinkerbell.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.16.10 @ 4:10PM

Tatoe, who cares what your name is.
Many thousands of folks depend on me (my day job). My name is quite well known, for obvious reasons, but I don't use it and my good fortune to come in here and bulldoze folks.

I would rather my thoughts stand on their own merits here.
(Sigh,) yes we will do what we gotta' do.

Bob| 2.16.10 @ 4:44PM

"Many thousands of folks depend on me"

Just like the guy that cleans the restrooms at Walmart?

"...but I don't use it and my good fortune to come in here and bulldoze folks."

That's because you haven't learned how to use data and analysis, i.e., you can't.

"I would rather my thoughts stand on their own merits here."

That's the funniest thing you have posted. What thoughts? You post nothing of value even for debate.

I doubt you are as "important" as you say. If you were, you wouldn't be spending as much time on this blog as you do.

Perhaps Tatoe has the right name for you.... Tinkerbell????

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.16.10 @ 5:42PM

Hi Bob.
Since you bring it up...heh again.....my email is
kbjudgeroybean06@gmail.com You have chickensh!tted out every time I have offered you a job in exchange for your resume' .

I have given you my name on an open forum here...twice. I just went over to google. 211,000 listings on me.
Obviously you are PURPOSELY ignorant of who the heck you are heel-biting.

That's OK. I shan't embarrass you.

One thing...heh...I am a splendid delegator. At this point in my career I have a wonderful staff of specialists...coast to coast. I begin my day at around 5 AM giving instructions. After 5 PM I spend a couple of hours quietly correcting "papers".
(In these days of course, correcting "electrons" most often, heh).

During the rest of my days (6 and 1/2 per week), I spend answering questions and making decisions.
.....and taking my country back from you communists and "useful idiots".
http://judgeroy.wordpress.com

Do you think I would waste time debating YOU?
Perish the thought. I would rather make fun of you.

...Gosh, I am trying to remember when last I "debated" an abused 5 year old.
...Can't remember. Mainly I just pick them up in my arms and hug them and tell them how much Jesus loves them.
Jesus loves you, Bob....and so do I. I do admit to trying to bring you to consider repentance....but so far...sigh.

Finally, Bob, I want to say I personally appreciate you being here.
Better than anyone else I could imagine, you give people a clear choice of where the lines are drawn.
Thank you

tatosian| 2.16.10 @ 6:49PM

yeah.
Who cares what my name is? Nobody I guess. I just like putting my name on whatever I post, uh, Ken. it just feels more straightforward to me. The name's easy enough to trace and I ain't hiding...Ken. That's all.
Your "Lock and load, dude. Here we come. Hide and watch" thought certainly stands or falls on it's own merit, but it doesn't really address any of the facts I presented does it?
And frankly, Ken, the hide and watch statement was meant as an insult and I took it as such.
Obviously my statements will also stand or fall on their own merit.
If I'm mistaken in any of those statements then point it out.
Otherwise spare me the insults.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.16.10 @ 7:33PM

tatosian| 2.16.10 @ 11:49AM
The conservatives supported bush's growth of bureaucracy and his numerous attempts to amnesty millions of illegal aliens
YEP, IN CONJUNCTION WITH STOPPING "ANCHOR BABIES" AND PROVIDING GUEST WORKER PERMITS.
- recall the attacks on border security patriots by conservative pundits and rags like the wsj. Recall CPAC's enthusiastic support of the anti-conservative mccain in 08.
YEP, MC DOOFUS INSTEAD OF CHILD WHO WILL PROBABLY GET A WHOLE LOT OF AMERICANS KILLED, AND WHO THINKS OUR CONSTITUTION IS TOILET PAPER.
Regarding mccain- were the conservatives at cpac
unaware of mccain's lack of conservative principles or did they just not care?
YEAH, THEY CARED...I CARED...HELD MY NOSE ...AND VOTED FOR A WAR HERO INSTEAD OF A COMMUNIST AGITATOR WITH NO REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE.
And should I, as an American, take comfort in their sheep like support of mccain?
Well I don't.
Conservatives never questioned bush's idiotic "islam is a religion of peace" statement either. Indeed. conservatives swallowed that nonsense whole.
ACTUALLY, NO. WE ADULTS UNDERSTOOD THAT W DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO IMPRISON SEVERAL MILLION INNOCENT AMERICAN CITIZENS WHO ARE MORE OR LESS MUSLIMS. WE UNDERSTOOD (BETWEEN THE LINES), THAT "HOLY WARS" WITH A BILLION MUSLIMS WOULD REQUIRE A DRAFT OF TENDER HINEYS LIKE YOURS.
As a result, American blood was shed to establish two islamic "republics" in Iraq and Afghanistan that are based on sharia law, not individual rights or freedoms.
BOO HOO HOO!
What, am I to assume that this new conservative statement means something beyond a desperate attempt to garner themselves some political power and legitimacy?
WHO DAT "THEMSELVES"? WESELVES ARE TAKING BACK OUR POLITICAL SOVEREIGNTY.

Also - one of the signatories on that proclamation is Grover norquist, the greatest enabler of islam's jihad in America. ( http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=15084 ).
How do you call yourself a conservative organization, supposedly dedicated to constitutional principles, when one of your members has helped an ideology (islam, dedicated to destroying that same constitution) gain influence and power in the US?
STUPID REMARK.
Finally. The tea partiers and town hall demonstrators hit the streets this past summer as Americans, not conservatives.
WELL, DUH, WE WANT TO CONSERVE THE BEST OF AMERICA. GO CLIMB AROUND THAT, STUPID.
You'll note that this bold conservative proclamation was not issued during the health care/stimulus debate but rather as a result of those demonstrations. Months later.
OH NO, STUPID. THE PROCLAMATION IS SIMPLY A REFINED (EDITED), VERSION OF WHAT WE AMERICANS WERE SAYING.
(YOU MIGHT TRY EDITING YOUR OWN CHILDISH POSTS. THEY MAY THEN SLIP BY AS ADULT THINKING.)
Conservatives will do what they always do- stand on the sidelines, cheer and wait for the dust to settle.
UH NO. WE ARE THE ONES WHO SHOWED UP AT THE TEA PARTIES, WROTE THE CHECKS, AND STAND READY TO LAY OUR LIVES DOWN FOR THE AMERICA WE BUILT, AND HAVE BLED FOR.
They and their republicans can issue proclamations and statements till their fingers cramp up. WE SHALL!
History shows us that it's words. Just words.
NO SIR! RIGHT NOW IT IS BALLOTS. IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, WE QUIT WORK SUPPORTING YOU. IF THAT DOESN'T WORK, SIGH, IT TRULY IS CIVIL WAR.
However, a whole different kind than 1860. See, now WE have the fuel, and the manufacturing capacity, and a hundred million pissed off, well armed Americans, many of whom are military veterans.
All your side has is hairy cheeked loosers and intellectual vacuums with someone else supporting you.
Good luck and God bless. You will probably have to learn the hard way.

Margie| 2.16.10 @ 9:36PM

Smokin'!

tatosian| 2.17.10 @ 3:04AM

You may very well be the stupidest man in all of Christiandom. You know that right?
Forget it tex.
You're a true conservative. Ill say no more.
Good luck to you.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.17.10 @ 1:55PM

Hey tatoe IROFL.
Uh...stupid...the term is "Christendom."

I just have so much fun smokin' stupids like you. So many stupids to debunk ...So little time....heh.

Franklin| 2.16.10 @ 2:26PM

I find this article refreshing. The same thing is happening in several areas around the country, online, and at meetings.

More people are reading the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, etc. and learning how and why this country was formed.

I'm excited. People can denegrade us and the movements, but we won't stop. There was a reason this country stood great and mighty for so long.

We will again.

Ken (Old Texican)| 2.16.10 @ 7:05PM

Franklin.....

YOU BETCHA!

Pingback| 2.16.10 @ 7:24PM

Eunomia » The Mount Vernon Statement links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Diigo Google Delicious Reddit Facebook What is there to say about this statement, which is being called a new conservative “manifesto”? Someone might object that Russell Kirk said that conservatives do not have manifestoes, but that would be entirely too quaint and old-fashioned. What is one to make of the organizers’…

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Rebellion News links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

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Just watch Chris Christie's recently-delivered speech to the NJ legislature on reining in the size of government. He's got the answers.

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mount vernon statement links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Vernon Statement | Right Wing Watch [2] Conservatives Unveil New Action Manifesto - US News and World … [3] Activists unveil Mount Vernon manifesto - Ben Smith … [4] The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives [5] Notable conservative leaders craft manifesto to energize … [6] Conservative Leaders to Unveil “ Mount Vernon Manifesto” [7] “Mount Vernon…

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Why Do We Need Another "Statement" When We Have a Constitution? | REPUBLICAN REDEFINE links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…CPAC gathering this week, many groups are coming out with new “statements” of conservative principles and legislative agendas. There’s the “Contract from America” from the Tea Party Patriots. And the “Mount Vernon” statement from various leaders of the Right. All well and good, but if the signers of all these new documents support political candidates who brazenly undermine the grand principles they put…

Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 7:41PM

Finding things in common « A Man With A Ph.D. links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…2002 Finding things in common February 17, 2010 — Richard Gayle The Mount Vernon Statement [Via Eunomia} What is there to say about this statement, which is being called a new conservative “manifesto”? Someone might object that Russell Kirk said that conservatives do not have manifestoes, but that would be entirely too quaint and old-fashioned. What is one to make of the organizers’ selection of the…

Pingback| 2.17.10 @ 9:17PM

The Mount Vernon Statement and The Contract From America | Florida Pundit links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…of conservative principles have been published with the goal of uniting opposition to the Obama administration’s leftist agenda. The Mount Vernon Statement’s goal is to unite economic, social, and national security conservatives under a set of shared principles: On Wednesday, more than 80 conservative thinkers and organization heads will come together to ratify a joint manifesto ahead of the 2010…

Pingback| 2.19.10 @ 3:03AM

Mount Vernon Conservatives « The European Observer links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

Mount Vernon Conservatives « The European Observer The European Observer A digest of political, cultural, and environmental news articles and analyses, relevant to Europe and its peoples. « North Korea: secrets and lies Mount…

Pingback| 3.8.10 @ 3:52PM

ZSmart's Sports Blog: Hey Teachout, Don't Leave Those Kids Alone … | Putnam County FL links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…trainer … Read more: ZSmart's Sports Blog: Hey Teachout, Don't Leave Those Kids Alone … Related Blogs on Mount Vernon Eunomia » The Mount Vernon Statement The American Spectator : Mount Vernon Conservatives Mount Vernon Mush – Hit & Run : Reason Magazine Related posts: ZSmart's Sports Blog: Hey Teachout, Don't Leave Those Kids Alone … 160 Central Pkwy, Mount…

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Eunomia » Peace Through Cliches links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:

…Stumble Upon Newsvine Slashdot Mixx Diigo Google Delicious Reddit Facebook Fresh off of organizing the signing of the unimaginative, meaningless Mount Vernon statement, Ed Meese has a national security manifesto (via Philip Klein ) that he wants candidates, elected officials and “others who…

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