The American Spectator

ncatty| 1.9.09 @ 12:27PM

Western civilization is worth defending and we should be more self-confident. This confidence should not be rooted in "..blood, soil and ancient shared memory" but rather in ideas. "Blood?" as in racial or ethnic distinction? "Soil?" as in living on the same plot of land, or claiming to, for centuries? Americans don't have that concept. How many times have you moved in your life? Finally, "ancient shared memory?" There is no such thing possible. Rely on the Bible, Shakespeare, the founding documents, etc. and think deeply and logically.

Red Phillips| 1.9.09 @ 6:09PM

ncatty, what you are suggesting is that America is a proposition nation rooted in ideas. That is a LIBERAL idea. No paleo would embrace such nonsense. In fact, rejection of the proposition nation thesis is practically a defining characteristic of paleoconservatism. (And it is why paleocons mourn the frequent moves and loss of identity you cite.)

I don't much care what side individuals, paleo or otherwise, take regarding the Israel Palestinian conflict. I do think some paleo sympathy for the Palestinians is reactive. But EVERY paleo should encourage governmental neutrality and non-intervention. It is not America's fight. Surely Ms. Mercer agrees with this. Surely she doesn't believe that the American military should defend the West as a whole instead of just our own country. Would she have US troops para-trooping into Chechnya? Can I assume she means that paleos should "defend" Israel rhetorically?

WendyG| 1.9.09 @ 7:34PM

Where are all the Ron Paul fans? The ones who have been so vociferously attacking Israel at Am Spec blog?

Seems they aren't really interested in an article that might convince them of the importance of defending Israel.

Red Phillips| 1.9.09 @ 8:46PM

What does Ms. Mercer want from us (her intended audience) in the way of "support"? I think too much reactive paleo Israel bashing and Palestinian sympathizing doesn't necessarily serve the cause of non-intervention well. To that extent I may partially agree with her regarding the war of words. But does she want the US government to support Israel with money or security guarantees? If so, she needs to turn in her card.

Wendy, what exactly do you want in the way of "support" for Israel from the US government?

Alan Brooks| 1.9.09 @ 9:37PM

Some strand in the paleocon memeplex might see Israel as the carnal embodiment of the Judaic base to what we foolishly call 'civilization'.
The top half is the Christian edifice resting on that Judaic base.
Personally, I do not want any risk whatsoever being taken that might destroy that base. Beyond that Churchill knew that however bad a democracy is it is better than the lack of it, and by that reckoning Israel is worth defending.

Just too bad we relocate Israelis to a new location there to build a new Israel,; now what territorial transfer (perhaps a two state model) comes to mind that would be Just? hmm, maybe, um... Bavaria? now if only there existed justice in the material sense.

With Israel relocated, the cloth-heads (you've got to be careful even at a conservative blog) in Palestine can go full force at each other.

Now therein would lie Justice.

Alan Brooks| 1.9.09 @ 9:39PM

yes, i really would like Israelis to get a big chunk of Germany.

A two-state model.
alrighty?