Reader Comments

Editor: In regard to your editorial on the “End of Europe,” I certainly can't say from firsthand experience what the situation is in Germany--haven't traveled even once to my ancestral homeland.  The impression I get from family and friends who have spent time there, however, is that it's pretty secular--like most of Europe today, I guess.  This article was very interesting in its assertions, but other articles in Der Spiegel seem to contradict it, as does the huge reception given the pope. 

I would guess the explanation is that Germany is a lot like the United States today, in that even a lot of people who profess to be a certain kind of Christian (Catholic, Baptist, whatever) really practice what I call "a la carte Christianity"--they pick what they like from their creed, ignore what they don't like.  I've found this pervasive in the U.S. from my observations of people. I see the same force at work in the political sphere--"a la carte conservatism" or "a la carte liberalism" (I'm obviously not talking about the hardcore political people in either grouping, but the general American public). 

What it comes down to is that very few people start with a religious creed or political philosophy, and then try to take positions in accord with that creed or philosophy.  Instead they pick and choose what they like/dislike, with no regard to philosophical or creedal inconsistencies or illogic.  I suppose it's always been that way for most people, but at least when we were young (ah, I hear an old man lamenting...) we made an effort to devise a cohesive philosophy, and I don't see anyone doing that today.  Of course, that's not entirely a bad thing, since so many of the secular creeds were internally logical, yes, but also so misguided that the results were horrific. David Franke

Editor: Your piece on the “End of Europe” is very thoughtful. It is certainly not the two-dimensional pap you find on some “conservative” sites these days. Best, Dr. Christopher Manion

Editor: In Lisa Fabrizio's excellent "Guide to the Constitution", before illustrating the systematic trashing of most of the first ten amendments, she (as most people in similar articles do) brushes aside the Third Amendment: "With the exception of quartering federal troops in private homes, almost all of the first ten amendments have been twisted and deformed, sometimes with the help of 'moderate' Republicans.” Not to detract from the rest of the article, may I suggest that through the Endangered Species Act, by giving various "endangered" species priority in the use of nominally private property, the spirit of the Third Amendment has been thoroughly mooted for a generation now. While it might still raise hackles if the Federal Government attempted to literally quarter troops in homes (only, I fear, because the press would be opposed on principle to the troops, not the trespass against the homes), I do not doubt that an attempt to quarter Federal bird watchers in rural houses would garner only support from elite opinion. Colin Rogers

Editor: Regarding Wes Vernon’s “Hollywood Blacklist” article, it would be nice if we could get the names, addresses, e-mails, fax or whatever for today’s Hollywood leftists so we could notify them that we and our families and friends are not going to go to their movies. Let’s get them in the pocket book where it really hurts. Arlene Frelk

Editor: Another GREAT piece from ConservativeBattleline! Sometimes I think Mr. Weyrich reads my mind. We have many of the same interests/concerns. He wrote a wonderful piece this month that has an answer to a problem I just wrote you about this morning concerning separation of church and state. Just as Mr. Weyrich said, our country, indeed much of our world, is in danger of having their cultures taken away. We need to get the word out to help prevent this as well as separating ourselves from the idea. I think he is getting some info out there to others like us, but what about the many who do not fall on one side or another politically? They are just getting by day to day without politics. We need to reach out to them as well and get our point lovingly across to the masses. Many, even on the other side, do not see this danger that we do. They need to hear about our problems and proposed solutions and maybe debate the issue and offer their own solutions. With everyone working together-- who knows, we might find a better alternative to the current crisis of our culture. Still, we need to propose to our own side just as he has done, because many don't even see this. Hopefully with more people like you guys out there, who need to be heard by the general media as well, we might eventually live in a better world. Tara a conservative Virginian

Editor: In Paul Weyrich’s “Targeting Culture,” he asks for a new solution to the problem of America’s decaying culture. As I understand that Mr. Weyrich is a professed Christian, he should know the power of prayer is greater than the power of the ballot. My advice to him is to pray. Tim Sullivan. PS. Pericles might not agree with me.

Editor: Thank you for Bob Barr’s article on NCAA’s political correctness. I think it is insulting that the NCAA wants to bar us from the games.  People of Native American Heritage want to be part of the tradition of football. Is this NCAA organization going to attack other people like the Irish next? Susan Rynas

Editor: Regarding your articles on the Kelso decision, the Supreme Court took the first step in taking our government of the people, by the people, for the people away with this eminent domain ruling, paving the way for a dictator, socialistic or communism government. Who will this VERY supreme court appoint as our next ruler and in what year? The first thing that goes is individual property, then guns, then books. If the justices need a lesson in dictatorship to perfect their case, maybe a course in Marxism, Hitler, or China and Ho Chi Mien and The Communist Manifesto might help. Jim Grant

Editor: Congratulation to ACU’s initiative against the federal cell phone tax but it is more than just that. The tax is on all phones. Nothing irritates me more than the phone (Qwest) bill. It is a decorated Christmas tree with taxes. The Federal Access Charge is HUGE! Mr. Z