Reader Comments
Issue 121 - December 3, 2008

Editor: I loved your article, “Conservative Counter Attack” and wish everyone would read it and take heart...quickly! A couple points: 1)"If Obama and Dem. Congress pursue leftist programs they will fail." I agree but the country will fail and collapse first. 2) "There will be no money." Yes, but that won't stop the liberal Congress. They will keep spending and print more. Scott Yaw

Editor: Regarding your “Conservative Counter Attack”, I am getting confused on what, exactly, are considered conservative values. I want to support conservative values regardless of which party supports them. What I need today is to know exactly what constitutes conservative values. There seems to be a variance these days. We have a group that ranges between the steadfast conservatives and the radical conservatives. What is a good reference for conservative values and where can it be found? I do not want to hear anymore radical conservatism from the media. I want a core on which I can make good, educated decisions. Regards, Peter R. Burg, PMP, Atlanta, GA [Editor responds: Try http://www.acuf.org/principles/index.asp]

Editor: Regarding your “Conservative Counter Attack”, the Republican Party let me down and many others that call themselves conservatives. I don't feel like I want to be part of this party any longer. I will always be a conservative but not the same kind that the Republican Party appears to be. Really when it comes down to it, Republicans are very close to being Democrats. They are just as corrupt and I see very little difference if any. I feel the same about churches. I will no longer hitch my wagon to a team of horses that pull in the wrong direction. The truth being if I could sell my home and move to some other country I would. I am a 76 year old Korean vet and totally disgusted with this country. If you wonder why just read the news paper and watch the news on TV. Walter E. Klinka

Editor: Your “Conservative Counter Attack”, is very well written. As a registered independent who has conservative views, yet struggled to accept the leadership chosen by the Republican Party I find your article right on point. What needs to be done is the same grassroots campaign the looney liberal lefties did. The conservative party needs to become more inclusive of all races, social groups, genders and age. I am a white male who is proud of his country and has friends of all races, yet I hear from most of them they feel more welcome by the Democratic Party. Yet when I listen to what is important to them, they have conservative views. Paul Bookman

Editor: Contrary to your “Conservative Counter Attack”, comrade Obama, if he was an intelligent man, would not be a neo-Marxist and therefore, he will not allow pragmatism to interfere with his radical agenda. He may swing a little – very little – to the right on foreign policy issues but all of his currently announced selections for domestic policy are dedicated to the leftist cause. True, there won’t be enough money to enact all of the left’s agenda but they have a way out: mandate the changes be financed by the private sector. The new administration will definitely want to increase taxes in a number of areas to fund some of their loonier ambitions, despite current economic conditions. The House may be leery of this regardless of pressure from Pelosi. After all, they all come up for reelection in less than two years. However, the Dems have made many unpopular decisions in the past and imploded often. It’s up to conservatives to finally take advantage of the situation, silence the RINOs and the ‘reaching across the aisle’ business, and win back the confidence of the nation and the GOP base with a restatement of our core principles and a commitment to uphold them. James C. McAlister, Tampa, FL

Editor: Regarding “Conservative Counter Attack”, I think we should articulate the policy that America should have. I think we should articulate what the world would be like without the Department of Ed, HUD or many, many programs that shouldn't exist on a Federal level. I think we should go after the State and Local government, sharpening our teeth as we go. If we can get school choice and limit entitlements then conservatism and Republican control will emerge from the leadership that develops from commerce, charity (faith) and individuals who successfully apply their rights and responsibilities. We need to cultivate this leadership and hence we encourage folks to speak, using every opportunity to teach and convert. We all win in the end when you don't care who gets credit. Lisa Miller

Editor: I was delighted to see someone so clearly nail both McCain and Bush for what they are as did William Haum in his article, “Young Counter-Revolution.” I will have to think about his perspective on Palin. I believe there is a good deal more to her than he may be giving her credit for. My take is she was overmanaged and we never really had the opportunity to see the real Palin. He said he noticed Sarah Palin came to represent the current and growing chasm between the intellectual establishment of Conservatives who are desperately needed to chart new ideas for 21st century problems, and the Conservative grassroots, who are needed to bring those ideas into political office. He went on to say conservatives today, have mistaken the anti-elitism inherent to Conservatism to mean anti-intellectualism. I have lived in or traveled through some forty countries during my career, teaching and working in areas of agricultural research. While I have a substantial education both academically and practically my education is not who am. While it has contributed to the sum of the whole I draw on much more. I believe what many I interact with might say is far too many of the educated in this country are snobs who treat those with less very much like second class citizens. Mark Twain once commented money was like manure if it wasn't spread around nothing would grow. I would say something similar could be said of education if such were available in this country. The fact is however much of what is passed off as education in this country is little more than indoctrination. Until that changes I submit the chasm will continue to grow. Roger Thompson, New Plymouth, Idaho

Editor: I think William Haum did excellent work in his article, “Young Counter-Revolution.” I totally agree with him that conservatives must stand up for what we believe and get rid of trying to muddy things up by always reaching across and trying to appease the liberals. Such tactics do not work in business or politics. I feel, from what I see and hear, we need a big change in the Republican leadership; they have lost their way. I'm a home town boy and believe in what is right is what is right, in fairness and that does not mean bowing to every whim for someone's rights either. I believe justice is what it is supposed to be; not necessarily what some Justice on the bench thinks he or she would like to see done. I'm tired of some groups trying to get away from our basics and trying to throw good sense out the window. Let's get back to conservative basics, back to the way our founding fathers made God Almighty and His Word part of our lives. Instead can't we see that by throwing God out of our communities and our lives we are bringing on our problems so quickly? He no doubt has lifted His hand of protection from our country judging from all the perils we recently are enjoying. Let's get back to teaching (learning) what schools are intended to teach, not what small groups want to impose on us. Feed the tiger and he will grow, so we better wake up and quit feeding the tiger, don't you think so too? H. B. Campbell, Nashville, IL. USA

Editor: William Haum’s “Young Counter-Revolution” was a thought provoking article, and I must agree with much of it. However, when you besmirch the likes of Sarah Palin I must get a bit defensive. I agree that we must have intellectuals at the top of the party. Newt Gingrich has always been in the top tier of my list as a desirable leader of conservatism, I hesitate to say Republicanism. However, the last time I saw him he had made a television ad with Nancy Pelosi talking about the need to work against that ogre "global warming". I lost a lot of respect for Newt at that time and I really don't know where he stands now. Politically, he appears to me to be more interested in self promotion than anything else. George H.W. Bush was forced upon us as Republicans, he always was a political wimp, even if he displayed extreme courage in WWII as a pilot, and had no real political philosophy except to get reelected, and he certainly was no intellectual. Bob Dole was forced upon us, a good man but certainly not of presidential timber (neither intellectual nor conservative. George W. Bush was forced upon us, a "compassionate conservative" whatever the heck that means. I tried my best to support G.W. Bush, but every time I could about work up some support for him he stuck his thumb in my eye. So you now "pick on" Sarah Palin. I agree she is not an intellectual, but between G.H.W. Bush, Bob Dole, G.W. Bush, and John McCain and Sarah Palin I'll take Sarah Palin any day, Any Day. She is the only one of the bunch who has shown true Conservative principals. And she is the only one of the bunch who showed any political courage. any. If I were back in the Army, she is the one I would want to share my foxhole with. In a fire fight I want her on my side rather than any of the others, including Bob Dole and John McCain, they would try to negotiate and "reach across the aisle" with the guy trying to kill us. Thanks for a good article, though. It was thought provoking. Please write another, write about where we go from here, who are the conservative intellectuals who need to be promoted, how do we get these people promoted. To paraphrase Joe Biden, I think the key word here is "conservative intellectuals". Don't say "conservative" without saying "intellectual", and vice versa. Thanks again, Dave Richie

Editor: William Haun is generally correct in his analysis of the problems with the GOP and I agree with his remedies, for the most part. But, his denigration of Sarah Palin because he doesn't consider her an intellectual and, therefore blaming her in part for defeat, is just wrong. She ignited the base and single handedly caused those 57 million voters to come to the Republican side. Prior to her selection, McCain was in a downward spiral and would have suffered ignominious defeat unlike anything in recent memory. What is more, Sarah is innately highly intelligent, contrary to the opinion of those on the left. She certainly has conservative ideals and lives by them every day. That is where Haun is correct. Conservative ideals win every time they are tried. Republicans must relearn that lesson. Sincerely, Kerry J. Kreutz

Editor: Regarding Mark Rhoads’ “National Review RIP” how can the public pressure National Review to humble itself and embrace all conservatives nationwide? "We have the right, as individuals, to give away as much of our own money as we please in charity; but as members of Congress we have no right to so appropriate a dollar of the public money.” --Congressman Davy Crockett, 1830. Speech before the U.S. House of Representatives Cordially, Brian K. Welch, Nashville, TN. http://jeremysarber.com/2008/09/17/the-great-social-injustice-of- welfare/

Editor: Right on to Paul Weyrich in his “Target Talk Radio.” Thanks for the inspiration to FIGHT FOR FREEDOM! The fight may not be in the trenches of physical battle, nevertheless, it is to DO or DIE! John Herman, Summerfield, FL

Editor: Regarding Paul Weyrich’s “Target Talk Radio,” wouldn't the Fairness Doctrine also apply to such TV shows as Oprah, The View, etc.? If so, Oprah probably has enough clout with Obama to stop re-imposition of the Fairness Doctrine. Jack Buzbee

Editor: Regarding Paul Weyrich’s “Target Talk Radio,” the media is liberal and dead as far as I'm concerned.  I am 68 yrs. old and have never seen it this bad. Thank God for Fox News and talk radio.......it is the only truth and thoughtful truthful discussion that we get!! Fight for them....protect them for all of our sakes! Jean Sadler, Stockton, CA

Editor: I suspect Mitch McConnell may be right BUT I also believe people like Paul Weyrich and other like-minded conservatives need to be better prepared than we are to deal with this issue when the Dem's bring it to us. First, I would argue a warchest needs to be created now to provide needed funds for the legal battle that lies ahead. Second, we need an email/internet network ready to go at a moments notice. Third, we need to be able to run ads in major newspapers to get OUR viewpoint out to the public. Who is going to do this? Sincerely, Edward Perkins, Milwaukee, WI

Editor: Paul Weyrich is right in his “Target Talk Radio.” But if you censor or take off the air talk radio then you have to take off talk TV also - like Letterman, Oprah, the View, etc. Oprah spent so much time praising Obama and run down Palin and McCain. Also you still can't cut on Letterman without his jokes about Palin and McCain. To me they went beyond funny and you can't tell me it did not influence the audience. I could go on citing examples but you know what I am talking about. Talk radio is the only way we really know what is going on out there. All for now. Thanks for letting me vent and giving you MY VIEW. TL

Editor: Keep up the good work. Coming from Jersey City N. J. I always admired Roy Innis Sr. for being truthful. I am glad to see his son Roy following in his footsteps in your article “Nuclear Works.” I would love to see Mr. Innis get together with other conservatives to form a strong coalition and get our country on the right track. Mr. A. Panetta, Palm Coast FL.

Editor: Regarding Maggie Gallagher’s “California Votes Marriage” if civil unions in California give all the same rights and responsibilities to same sex and childless couples as did marriage, then fine, but I am skeptical. These rights and responsibilities by what ever name you give the law that bestows them are important for the protection of children but are also important for unions without children. I am simply not able to make any sense of Ms. Gallagher's statement that "If Californians had voted no on Proposition 8, the great historical cross-cultural meaning of marriage would have been replaced by a new government dogma on which gay marriage is based: There is no difference between same-sex unions and opposite-sex unions; anyone who thinks otherwise is just a bigot." So what? Such a changed understanding would not change or diminish in any way the protections and benefits to children or anyone else of traditional marriage between a man and women. But it would extend important benefits and protections to same sex unions there by contributing to the stability and well being of the community at large. Warren Coats