Reader Comments

Editor: Great post election issue--just the right balance between hope and reflection over what went wrong. ASD

[Also see “Election Good News?” for additional letters regarding the election]

Editor: Thank you for the great article by Paul Weyrick, a “New Conservative Movement,” which really crystallizes the issue. I am gratified that he is still being used to lead the movement through this important article. As a minister of the gospel of Christ for 43 years I am appreciative and thankful for his analysis. Sincerely in Christ, Rev. Frank Ellerker

Editor: I really liked Paul Weyrich’s article and want to hear more from you on the future to build a new movement. Thank you very much. Mike Kasun, Captain, USNR-R, Stillwater, Minnesota

Editor: I am forced by Paul Weyrich’s article “New Conservative Movement” to re-think my Republican-ism. I cling to the Republican Party as the only hope for my conservatism, but have been continually dismayed by the lack of principle in so many of the leadership. I vote for the party because I agree with its stated positions, knowing that the heart of man is wicked and will fall, but the principles must stand. This article forces me to see that when the stated positions and principles are being ignored more often than not, these statements of belief are merely lies, and I am therefore voting for a lie. I am left without political hope as an individual voter, and am intrigued by the final question of the article. I wait with some hope for what Mr. Weyrich has to say in his next article. I am beginning to believe that the time is ripe for a new party to be able to emerge from the rubble of the old. Thanks for the opportunity to express my thanks for your forum. Chris Nichols, a conservative mom of 6

Editor: Many years ago, as a teenager, I worked for the Goldwater campaign. Later, I voted (once) for Ronald Reagan. At various times I have voted for Republicans for governor, senator, and representative. And now it has come to this: I won't vote for a Republican for any office, any time, just on principle. The Republican Party has gone so far astray that I don't recognize it. So why do conservatives still think that they have to reform the Republican Party? It seems to me that it would be easier (and looking at some of this election's candidates I'm clearly not the only one thinking this way) to reform the Democratic Party toward true conservatism than the Republicans. There have been times in the last few years when fiscal responsibility (one of my own top priorities) was exclusively the province of the Democrats. Who is speaking up for individual liberties? Who is willing to discuss the obscene levels of corporate and agricultural welfare (or to truly reform individual welfare, for that matter)? At the very least, it's time for real political conservatives, like real evangelical Christians to realize that the Republican Party is not automatically "their" party. Curt Burnett

Editor: Bravo to Paul Weyrich and his “New Conservative Movement.” As I ponder the potential impacts of the mid-term fate of many Congressional Republicans this morning, his article couldn't be more timely or pertinent. Rush Limbaugh offered his perspective this morning that it was the Republican Party not conservatism that suffered a resounding defeat at the polls. Although I agree with Rush's basic premise, I still felt a hollow hopelessness not just at the election results, but in reviewing the last 12-years of a Republican Congress and it's failure to pursue the conservative agenda that was largely responsible for their successful election and ascent to power. Weyrich’s article crystallized why it wasn't much of a comfort to know that it was Republicanism rather than conservatism that had been rejected by the voters. I look forward to his next article and to considering the possibilities for a new conservative movement. Thank you for your good work, Steve Trulove, Melba, Idaho

Editor: Sadly, I don't see Paul Weyrich’s “New Conservative Movement” coming anytime soon. The problem is that people don't want to follow the "rules". They enjoy the new freedoms of the sexual revolution, high spending, big business, 401K's, etc. They don't want to be told to be responsible, live simply, follow the golden rule, live with Christian values, etc. I am a Christian and I just don't see in society that most people are willing to go back to the days of weekly church going, living by the ten commandments, chastity, responsible business tactics carried on with a handshake like my grandfather did, you know, the "good old days". I wish I was as optimistic as he is that we could resurrect a "new movement" but after the election I fear that it will take a major Islamic attack with the deaths of thousands before the liberals realize we are in a battle for life as we know it. Nancy Pelosi didn't even acknowledge that we were in a war. I hope he has some very good ideas to deal with these matters. Martha Brothers, Fort Worth, Texas

Editor: Please keep us informed on the rest of what Paul Weyrich promises to say about a conservative revival. Linda Rapoza, Fall River, Massachusetts

Editor: I am a conservative Christian and was very humbled by Bob Barr’s article “Amish Character.” With God's help may we all be more like the Amish. Thank you for the wonderful article. It should be mandatory reading for our politicians and churches across the country. God Bless, Connie Philipenko

Editor: Bob Barr’s article “Amish Character” was EXCELLENT and true! Hopefully others will see this article. Norm Abbod

Editor: Well said, sir, in Bob Barr’s article “Amish Character” My thoughts, his words: sense and sensibility. May God continue to bless him and his loved ones with all they stand in need of. May God grant the wisdom that he has learned to those in power in Washington and elsewhere. Sincerely, Tom Gennings, Sundance, Wyoming P.S. If he decides to run for Congress again (or the Presidency) don't forget to solicit my donation.

Editor: Regarding Dennis Avery’s “Warming Naturally,” I agree--mean global surface temperatures have not increased since 1998. Australian hydrology can demonstrate an underlying process that influences global temperatures over periods of two to three decades.

Every two or three decades sea surface temperatures in the Pacific warm or cool. The changing sea surface temperatures influence atmospheric movements in the Tropical Convergence Zone resulting in periods of more frequent and intense El Nino and, alternatively, periods of more frequent and intense La Nina. This is seen in statistical analysis of Australian flooding. A period of more frequent and intense La Nina is seen in more rainfall in Australia in the period between 1946 and 1976. This is also a period of cooler Pacific temperatures and a global cooling trend. A period of declining Australian rainfall associated with more frequent and intense El Nino is seen between 1977 and 1998.

The episodic and multi decadal phenomenon seems related to solar variability - although this implies greater climate sensitivity to solar variability in ways that people are just starting to explore.

What seems certain is that cooler Pacific sea surface temperatures bring more rainfall to Australia and moderate global temperature. A 'cool phase' of Pacific sea surface temperatures may have commenced in 1998. Robert Ellison BE (Honours), MEnSc, MIEAust, CPEng, RPEQ, Robert Ellison and Associates Pty Ltd

Editor: Even though there was a spell checker misfire, Steve Maggi’s “Anthrax or Ozone Layer” was a good article. D. Keith Howington

Editor: Keep up the good work. L