At the Foot of the Master - The American Spectator | USA News and Politics
At the Foot of the Master
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AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH
Re: Quin Hillyer’s Hillary’s Real School for Scandal:

Reference Mr. Hillyer’s article, I would have liked to see him continue into Hillary’s later scandals, such as the Hollywood fundraiser during her last campaign the illegally and deliberately misstated her campaign’s proceeds from it.

There are two worrisome facts.

(1) The Mendacious Media is going to throw all pretense of impartiality overboard. They will stop at nothing to see that woman elected. At one time I hoped the majority of my fellow citizens would see through the curtain of press lies. After 2006, all I see are the Marching Morons (from the short story of the same name).

(2) The conservative movement has not had an articulate and convincing advocate for our principles in the public’s electoral eye since The President (Reagan, of course).

Considering the tactics the Democrats are using now, and this thought sickens me, we could be looking at the election of a true Stalinist president, with all that event implies.
John Jarrell
San Antonio, Texas

Quin Hillyer’s review of Mrs. Bill Clinton’s activities is a necessary review and reminder.

His parting thought hoping that “somehow, someway, conservatives ought to fight back…” reveals the real crux of an issue facing all Americans. Conservatives (including Quin) are fighting back, and will continue to do so, but if the rules (be it the rule of law or simply the rule of common civility) do not apply to liberal/leftist Democrats, then our society becomes an anarchy.

What is happening at an accelerating rate is that Democrats in positions of power in various branches of government simply look the other way to save a Democrat when Democrat Party policy requires they do so, and apply every “jot and tittle” of law to a Republican, again as (D)Party policy/collective liberal wisdom requires. This has even filtered down to the rank and file who serve on juries, i.e., the Scooter Libby verdict.

Some years ago Republicans “bit the bullet” and offered up Richard Nixon based upon principle not party loyalty. We have yet to see any such character on the part of most Democrats. In fact it is quite the opposite, as there is a discernible, palpable, lust for power. Frankly, that should scare the hell out of every American.

We must have a collective understanding and expectation that the rules apply to everyone equally, or we will descend into an anarchy such as the world has never seen.
Glenn G. Greeno
Belleville, Illinois

Quin Hillyer brings us sobering reading once again. Hillary Clinton’s record continues to go unexamined. When will the MSM ever see her as she really is? They are still walking into walls for her. Republicans, please don’t let Clinton’s election be a fait accompli. It’s broken glass time.
Cara Lyons Lege’

Quin, you forgot to mention the Barrett investigation and subsequent report that was never released because of the actions of certain Democrat senators. Now this could really be big in the 2008 election if only the lazy MSM would demand to see the unredacted copy.
Gene Hall
Melbourne, Florida

I have to say that the Clinton-bashing is getting to be pretty tiresome — and I’m not even a Hillary fan. She certainly is ambitious and knows how to play hardball with the big boys, but I don’t think she’s at all financially greedy, as the failed prosecution effort by Kenneth Starr would indicate. Although the Clintons left office with few assets, the Bush tax cuts, among other things, have since made them wealthy. As far as pardons are concerned, I think Mr. Hillyer should hold his tongue until he sees what good old W. has up his sleeve. Mr. Hillyer is out of line in saying that Ms. Clinton is corrupt; her questionable actions are for the most part necessary for survival in today’s political waters.

This doesn’t mean that I’d vote for Hillary Clinton. There are other candidates who have a better grasp of what is needed and don’t come across as control freaks. And despite Bill’s plugs for her, she is not really charismatic enough to draw many devoted followers. You’re all flailing around looking for a decent Republican candidate, but if one doesn’t show up soon, I’ll be voting for Obama in the primaries.
Abe Grossman
Pleasantville, New York

Quin Hillyer replies:
I refuse to accept Mr. Grossman’s premise that “questionable actions are for the most part necessary for survival in today’s political waters.” How cynical. If that is true, we are all doomed. Corruption is never to be tolerated. Fortunately, there are plenty of people in elective life who manage to forge successful careers without resorting to corruption of the sort at which Hillary Clinton excels. The Republican field for president in 2008 is full of people whose public lives have been devoid of scandal. American voters must demand no less.

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Re: Lisa Fabrizio’s Too Late?

FDT is the Reagan that everyone has been looking for since 1992. He is an eloquent conservative and he in debating conservative principles he charms rather than disarms.

If he doesn’t run, I will write his name in.

Please don’t make us have another Jimmy Carter before we get to our generation’s Reagan. Make the GOP more than DNC-lite and nominate FDT!!!!
Rex Tarpey
Raleigh, North Carolina

Though I was raised a Texas cattle rancher, I married a career military officer and we traveled the world, before settling back on a cattle ranch in Texas. I tend to view things through a pragmatic lens. As the mother of a serving officer, I am mindful of the military view of Commander in Chief. He/She is the one you would go to war for, when the orders come. Few can carry the mantle of this type of leadership. Bill Clinton most certainly did not and while the military served under him without utterance, droves left the service during his time in office. They knew his quantity and it wasn’t good.

None of the present GOP’s stated candidates fit the profile for us military families, with the exception of Fred Thompson. And he has another great quality. He is someone, who if they told you there was a problem and our liberty was threatened, you would listen to him. In this dark time of great peril, more serious because few recognize just how serious it is, he has an ability to speak with somber tones and careful words and folks listen. And in the climate of continued wartime, whether Congress believes it or not, we need someone with clear stature and a certainty to lead the nation.

I wrote Mr. Thompson and appealed to him to enter now. We are in a time of history like no other time. Our country’s future depends on a serious and mindful person who can lead. He’s it.
Beverly Gunn
East Texas Cattle Rancher

It’s not too late for this conservative. I have not sent one dollar to anyone. When the RNC calls for money, I tell them to peddle their pap somewhere else — this Republican will give money to the candidates of HER choice.

So far, Fred Thompson seems to have it right on the two most important questions of our time: The War Against Radical Islam and Illegal Immigration. I will continue to read and listen. The money part comes later this summer.
Judy Beumler
Louisville, Kentucky

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY
Re: Jennifer Rubin’s The Apple of My Eye:

Ms. Rubin’s article points out many truths about Ms. Clinton. She is “Big Brother”. Anyone remember her “no doctor needs to make more than $60,000 a year” speech during her catastrophic attempt to destroy America’s healthcare system?

She is arrogant. I have always loved the ironic symmetry of her expressions “vast right wing conspiracy” and “culture of corruption.” The first apparently made her husband have sex with numerous women whether they were much interested or not. The second was just perfectly descriptive of both the Clinton administration and the Clintons themselves.

Now we have you Tube and Mr. Geffen. The You Tube video is illustrative of Ms. Clinton as the draconian big brother from Orwell.

Mr. Geffen’s words confirm that Ms. Clinton requires heavy scripting and tight control. What it doesn’t tell us is why. The “why” is that Ms. Clinton is psychologically unstable. She suffers from volcanic rages that erupt violently at the slightest sign of friction. She is mean spirited, violent, and unable to control her always simmering rage. George Bush may have angered the effete Europeans, but Ms. Clinton would bust them in the mouth both verbally and physically. You know if she could find something to disagree with the socialists about, that might be fun to watch!
Jay W. Molyneaux
Denver, North Carolina

“There is a latent sense of dread in the Democratic base that Hillary has no political soul or imagination.” Latent? They’ve all just been chronically denying what the rest of us have seen, heard and known overtly for a long time about the junior senator from New York.

Come to think of it, though, the past few rounds of Democrat-presidential-candidate wannabes or Democrat presidential candidates haven’t had any political soul or imagination, either. They — as Hillary, Barack and John Edwards are doing now — have tried and continue to try to be all things to all people on all issues, all the time. That’s not “moderate.” That’s cowardly and manipulative.
C. Kenna Amos
Princeton, West Virginia

NOT THE BEE’S KNEES
Re: Reid Collins’s The Flight of the Bumblebee:

This is no mystery. There is plenty of evidence that it is linked to the use of Imidacloprid, and maybe Fipronil if it is improperly used. Anyway, Europe had this same problem several years ago. Bees basically lose their navigational ability. Countries that banned Imidacloprid had the hive collapse problem go away. Even with this strong evidence that Bayer knew about the problem, because they were admonished in court, for their total disregard for honey bees. Our Department of Agriculture should have known about it, and is still disregarding the evidence from Europe and Canada. Anyway, between Bayer and our Dept. of Agriculture, they decided to allow the chemical use, and take a chance on putting beekeepers out of business.

Thirty percent of our food we eat directly or indirectly comes from honey bee pollination. I believe that the main problem is when Imidacloprid is used as a seed treatment, it has enough of a residual effect to contaminate the blossoms, thus it then becomes a honey bee problem, and probably a people problem from crops loss, and who knows how much it ends up contaminating the food we eat. If you want further information go to Answers.com, and type in Imidacloprid, and then tell me somebody besides me should have been able to figure this out. There is a ton of evidence on this site. I have sent this memo to several newspapers, but it appears that nobody has the balls to take on both Bayer, and the Feds. Imidacloprid’s main use was as a wood preserver, but the problem appeared to start when it was used as a seed preserver. How come a poor dumb beekeeper like myself can dig up this info, but highly paid feds cannot.
Jim Marshall
C&J Apiaries

PAR FOR THE COURSE
Re: Lawrence Henry’s The Color of Golf:

I always look forward to Lawrence Henry’s columns each week. This week’s column “The Color of Golf” was especially good. Lawrence made an excellent comparison of the similarities between what it takes to successfully master golf and playing a musical instrument, namely systematic practice (something I unfortunately don’t do enough of in either golf or music). The comparison Lawrence made regarding practice/success in both endeavors reminded me of a description of golf made by a writer in a fitness magazine. He called golf “the violin of sports.” Lawrence, here’s to making beautiful music on the course.
Michael Palmer

BOND DISQUALIFIED
Re: Amy K. Mitchell’s Double Trouble:

Didn’t Daniel Craig suggest that Bond should have a homosexual tryst in a future movie, and that Craig was willing to perform it? It’s my guess that Kiefer Sutherland won’t be suggesting that for Jack Bauer any time soon. Bauer wins.
Richard LaViolette

AN OPEN DOOR POLICY
Re: W. James Antle III’s Comprehensive Confusion:

You could see it coming: earlier this week, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell spoke of the need “for comprehensive immigration reform.” That phrase is understood, except by the terminally ignorant, as the code words for presidential and congressional “amnesty.” Then, slowly, parts of a new House bill were leaked to friendly media outlets, again trumpeting “comprehensive immigration reform,” although the contents were still not released. One cannot be certain, but it would not surprise me if embattled White House officials took the time to offer their “nihil obstat” to the upcoming House bill, now ceremoniously baptized HB1645.

James Antle’s description of the HB1645, jointly sponsored by the Republican Congressman from Arizona with the eponymous name of Flake, and the combative “open-border” advocate, the Democrat, Luis Gutierrez of Illinois, is limited — the bill is, after all, nearly 700 pages — but Antle does point to some of the destructive aspects present in the bill. Wisely, he ends by saying that our best course would be for the congress to do nothing. I second that motion, because what Antle has not described are the parts of the bill which will permanently change these United States: we have now drawn a new security perimeter which now includes Mexico as our southern boundary! A few mere details first about this “non-amnesty” amnesty.

There are seven sections of the bill that are nothing more than amnesty provisions, including for “forestry workers,” a group not even included in the 1986 amnesty. Further, the idea that one needs “evidence” to determine that these law breakers were present before 2006 so that they may put on “the path to citizenship” is totally unenforceable, which is why it was so written – anyone could, using any kind of document, including forged papers, be included as legally present. It is, to quote another critic, a “fraud magnet,” and I have no doubt that immigration lawyers were busily engaged in helping to write this treasonous bill. Antle does make mention of the additional 400,000 new (legal) workers from the Third World that will be allowed to enter each year, and further depress the wages of the American worker; what he does not say is that this “arrangement” is open-ended.

We’re told that after 6 years these “guest workers” will have to leave the U.S. before they can return to pick up their green card. But the law enforcement divisions of the Department of Homeland Security openly admit that they haven’t a clue who, and how many, aliens are in the country illegally; how then will they be able to keep track of who is here if they are structurally incapable of doing so? The Washington Times (March 27) reported that there are nearly 700,000 criminal aliens who are at large in the U.S. Under the monstrosity known as Flake-Gutierrez, if their fingerprints were not on file, and “documentation” was provided, these “future Americans” would also be on the “path to citizenship.” With these defects incorporated into the bill, how could anyone, including Antle, call Flake, the one of the bill’s sponsors, a conservative! What flapdoodle! But it is the bill’s national security provisions that are a legitimate concern for every American, conservative or otherwise.

Under Section 121, the US is now committed to “Improving the Security of Mexico’s Southern Border.” For the terminally unenlightened, that means we have now become responsible to defend Mexico’s borders! (my emphasis) But the idiocy doesn’t end there: as a result of this displacement of our southern border, we will encourage Central American governments to control alien smuggling and trafficking, and curtail the use of false documents. Apparently, Mexico and its “coyotes” no longer seem to be a problem, something that should make all those folks on this side of the Rio Grande and in California breathe a lot easier. And it gets worse, but you have an idea of why Flake-Gutierrez must be stopped.

For the past 30 years, federally elected officials of both parties have discarded the national will and continued to approve policies of not defending our borders against massive numbers of intruders, something unprecedented in our history. But we have reached, what the short-story writer, O. Henry, called, “The Paths of Destiny.” If, God forbid, Flake-Gutierrez were ever to become law, generations yet unborn will, in their criticism, echo the words of the Elizabethan political theorist, Sir John Harington:

Treason doth never prosper; what’s the reason?
For it to prosper, none dare call it treason.

Pax tecum
Vincent Chiarello
Board Member,
American Council for Immigration Reform

One of the most glaring problems (among many other problems i.e. health insurance) of illegal immigrants is their lack of car insurance. Un-insured and under-insured coverage by Insurance Companies is almost mandatory considering the number of uninsured motorists out there. Just pick out one of the clunkers being driven on the roads and you can bet that it doesn’t have insurance. Why have insurance if you have no driver’s license, no registration, and no assets to protect.

A very dear friend of mine ( and well loved in the community) was killed by a drunk Mexican. Nothing happened to the driver…he was sent back to Mexico.
Fred Edwards
Tucson, Arizona

SWIFT LIVER
Re: Jay D. Homnick’s Faux Grass-Roots Activism:

This is a belated response to Mr. Homnick’s typically excellent article. It is indeed perverse that overfeeding geese (a condition that occurs naturally in the wild, I’m told) would elicit more outrage than vacuuming out the brains of a partially-born baby. (A quick question: if the baby is not alive, why the need to remove its brains?)

If Jonathan Swift were alive today he might suggest we make faux gras from babies’ brains or livers. Yes, that’s disgusting, even for satire, but no more so than the reality with which we are confronted.
R. Trotter
Arlington, Virginia

REMEMBER THE TROOPS
Re: William Tucker’s Midnight Raid:

I am writing in regards to William Tucker’s article. First of all, that GI is my brave fiance who is a U.S. Paratrooper. He worked hard to obtain that title, so if you are going to report on Charlie Company we would appreciate that you address them correctly instead of being so concerned about how the Iraqi civilians are offended.

Secondly, the rest of the GIs as you call them are like my brothers. One of which was shot by a sniper on Monday. We are still waiting to see what his fate will be. Maybe that rifle you found under the couch that looked like it had never been fired was behind the shot that penetrated my brother’s abdomen or penetrated my fiancé’s window in front of his 50 cal. What makes you a gun expert on what has been fired or not? I think you have been watching too many episodes of CSI.

Thirdly, I can’t believe you wrote this article and put it on the Internet for millions to ready. It sounds like a fifth grader writing this. If this is how a professional journalist writes then I should start looking for jobs with The American Spectator. I’ve met, been around Fist Sgt. Green, and have seen how he speaks to his own men. He is very professional and would only conduct business with the Iraqi civilians as he does with his own men.

It’s “journalists” like you that stir my stomach in a foul way. I’ve gone through 7 months of just emotional hell with my fiancé and brothers gone only to find out they have been extended and I must go through another 8 months of it. I try to remain a functioning individual in society while carrying this burden of so many U.S. Paratroopers and soldiers in my head and heart. It’s hard enough to go through this just emotional toll that I can’t even imagine what it is like for those Paratroopers over there that have to experience this mentally, physically, and having to deal with the ungratefulness of so called “Americans” like you. You are a coward and have served a dishonor to our country for disgracing our soldiers, families, and worse the children of these soldiers. It’s people like you that make me wonder why I have to live a life in fear that I may never seen my future husband again because he is over there fighting so an ungrateful, coward, so-called journalist can degrade him like you do.

I feel sorry for you. I ask God for forgiveness every night for people like you. I pray that the soldiers can return home and still have the heart to forgive every American like you. My Paratroopers fight and perform their duty honestly, and I would appreciate it if you would write and perform your duty honestly instead of trying to create a fictional story.

I have a story for you sir, Mr. Tucker. Imagine this story. Imagining spending Christmas with the person you love most in this world and becoming engaged to them. Imagine only getting to enjoy that for a few days. Imagine standing at an airport not knowing if your future walking onto the plane will come back to you. Imagine standing there at the window with so many families watching the plane slowly run down the runway. Imagine hearing all the little kids crying because they want to know why mommy and daddy have to go. Imagine trying to watch the plane in the sky until you can’t see it anymore not wanting to turn away because it could be the last time you see them. Well, don’t imagine. That is my reality. I try to not let my heart become full of anger and rage towards people like you.

Every night I pray that I can forgive you for you insensitivity, ignorance, and betrayal to my men. I hope that you aren’t too proud and can admit your mistakes one day and do something to redeem yourself to these U.S. Paratroopers. They trusted you to tell the real story of what they do to our fellow countrymen and you betrayed their trust. If they can’t trust us who can they? I’ve done my part for them to trust me. Why can’t you do the same Mr. Tucker? What did these men do to you to deserve your betrayal?

God Bless our Troops and Their Families,
Ellie Minder
Proud Fiance of a U.S. 82nd Airborne Paratrooper
Proud American

RIP to those who have given everything for a country they loved.

WEALTH AND POVERTY
Re: James Srodes’s Terms of Enrichment:

Thanks for the review of Income and Wealth by Alan Reynolds. I can’t wait to read it! Another dishonest aspect of the methods the left uses to characterize the income gap is that the definition of poverty is not fixed at say $24,000/year for a family of four. Instead, it’s constantly changing because it’s always the bottom 10% of income. As a result, it’s possible that the American poor could be richer than the middle class of Europe in absolute money income, but still be classified as poor. If we use the UN standard for poverty, less than $2/day, then there aren’t any poor people in the U.S. at all. Of course, the UN standard is very low, but any other choice is purely arbitrary and nothing more than an attempt at fishing for statistics to support your ideology.
Roger D. McKinney
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

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