America Under Barack Obama -An Interview with Nat Hentoff

Review Messenger ^ | December 11, 2009 | John W. Whitehead

[The Big Boo]

America Under Barack Obama - An Interview with Nat Hentoff - By John W. Whitehead - December 11, 2009

Nat Hentoff has had a life well spent, one chock full of controversy fueled by his passion for the protection of civil liberties and human rights. Hentoff is known as a civil libertarian, free speech activist, anti-death penalty advocate, pro-lifer and not uncommon critic of the ideological left.

At 84, Nat Hentoff is an American classic who has never shied away from an issue. For example, he defended a woman rejected from law school because she was Caucasian; called into a talk show hosted by Oliver North to agree with him on liberal intolerance for free speech; was a friend to the late Malcolm X; and wrote the liner notes for Bob Dylan's second album.

A self-described uncategorizable libertarian, Hentoff adds he is also a “Jewish atheist, civil libertarian, pro-lifer.” Accordingly, he has angered nearly every political faction and remains one of a few who has stuck to his principles through his many years of work, regardless of the trouble it stirred up. For instance, when he announced his opposition to abortion he alienated numerous colleagues, and his outspoken denunciation of President Bill Clinton only increased his isolation in liberal circles (He said that Clinton had "done more harm to the Constitution than any president in American history," and called him "a serial violator of our liberties.").

http://www.reviewmessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3704:america-under-barack-obama&catid=19:guest-opinion

[The Big Boo]

Fascinating reading by an original independent thinker.

[unkus]

ping

[Alberta's Child]

I always liked this guy even when I disagreed with him — because his stands were principled and based on a rational extension of his world view.

[Misterioso]

He used to call himself Nat. :)

[fullchroma]

Thanks for posting. Bookmark for later reading.

[Misterioso]

I used to think he was rational—until he went “pro-life.”

[oblomov]

Hentoff is also one of the foremost writers/experts on the history of Jazz music. He cofounded Jazz Review magazine, produced records by Charles Mingus, Cecil Taylor, and Abbey Lincoln, wrote reviews for 30+ years in the NYT, New Yorker, and Village Voice, and wrote liner notes for many jazz records in the 1960s and 1970s.

[dervish]

He stands with the few true liberals as an independent thinker not a ideologue.

[Pyro7480]

“Pro-life” isn’t rational?

[Cicero]

Well, he certainly says what he thinks, as usual.

For instance: “I try to avoid hyperbole, but I think Obama is possibly the most dangerous and destructive president we have ever had.”

And a number of other statements along those lines.

[GeronL]

I think pro-life is very rational. I think abortion is irrational to the extreme.

[Ticonderoga34]

Here's a couple of quotes from the interview which jumped out at me.

Nat Hentoff: I try to avoid hyperbole, but I think Obama is possibly the most dangerous and destructive president we have ever had.

So in answer to your question, I am beginning to think that this guy is a phony. Obama seems to have no firm principles that I can discern that he will adhere to. His only principle is his own aggrandizement. This is a very dangerous mindset for a president to have.

Wow!

[gunnyg]

the usurper

http://gunnyg.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/another-full-page-ad-obama-a-usurpervisual-by-devvy/

[nikos1121]

I never put Hentoff out there as a conservative by any means, and actually thought of him pretty much as a liberal. He may very well be the true centrist in his ability to think clearly. Krauthammer and Victor David Hanson also come to mind.

BUT READ THIS ARTICLE FROM SOMEONE WHO PROBABLY IS MORE ALLIGNED WITH THE LEFT. HE PUTS THINGS SQUARELY THE WAY WE ALL FEEL HERE. GREAT GREAT POST!!!!!!!!!!

[mel]

later

[flowerplough]

Hentoff is our Solzhenitsyn.

[wintertime]

The interviewer failed to ask the most important question of all, “Is Obama a natural born citizen?”

[Palladin]

I can’t believe Nat Hentoff is 84! He was young when I knew him.

[okie01]

I never put Hentoff out there as a conservative by any means, and actually thought of him pretty much as a liberal. He may very well be the true centrist in his ability to think clearly.

Hentoff has always been what I call an "honest liberal". We can disagree with him on policy points, sure. But he knows "right" and he knows "wrong".

And unlike most on the left, he actually loves his country.

[TheMole]

That is truly an awesome interview. If anybody reading here hasn’t looked at it, then go straight to the link and read it. Solid gold.