Posted on 09/12/2003 8:30:33 AM PDT by Forgiven_Sinner
Register Business Editor
Fresh off an unexpectedly controversial appearance at Napa Valley College Tuesday afternoon, Dr. Jeane Kirkpatrick found a more receptive audience that evening at the Silverado Country Club & Resort Ballroom. Kirkpatrick, a former ambassador to the United Nations who currently serves an ambassador on the Human Rights Commission of the United Nations, received a standing ovation from the more than 300 people attending when she reached the podium to give a speech at a fundraiser for the Napa Valley Boys & Girls Club.
"I have never forgotten how beautiful Napa is and how good it tastes," Kirkpatrick said as she stepped up to the microphone.
This generated smiles and laughs from the audience.
Kirkpatrick's afternoon appearance had generated fliers and a small protest, as a group of eight Napa Valley College professors criticized school administrators for scheduling her campus chat without grater notice and criticized the appointee of President Ronald Reagan for her conservative views.
In her evening remarks, Kirkpatrick said Reagan was very proud of California wines. "He always served California wines at White House functions," she said. "I think it's true Ronald Reagan did much for California wines through his own self-promotion."
When Kirkpatrick told the audience her lecture would focus on the war in Iraq, the audience became silent.
"The war in which we find ourselves involved is very frustrating, destructive and murderous," she said.
But she went on to support the war effort. "I think it's quite noble for Americans to have undertaken it," she said. "It was brave, bold and right for the government to take on Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein is just as beastly as Adolph Hitler was."
As Kirkpatrick's lecture continued, her comments became more opinionated.
She stressed that the U.S. has been engaged in a "noble war" with Iraq. "After 9/11 we knew the world was more dangerous and that we were more directly threatened," she said. "I believe the threat to the U.S. posed by terrorists and weapons of mass destruction was real and important. The legal authority to use force against Iraq is founded."
"I think there's a lot of misunderstanding on what is and what is not legitimate force," she continued. "I believe it's a just war, a necessary war and will soon be over. I think the president has been bold and productive in undertaking it. Our troops have certainly been bold and brave in handling it."
Before Kirkpatrick stepped down from the stage, Jim Alexander -- an Edward Jones investment representative and the person spearheading the event for the sponsoring Rotary Club of Napa -- took questions for her from the audience.
One man asked Kirkpatrick about her understanding of Arab countries. "I doubt if any of us understands the Arab world very well," she replied. "I don't think any Arab countries can expect any progress as long as they cut women out of development. It's a major part of stagnation in those countries."
This comment brought an applause and several nods of approval from the audience, which was a balanced mix of men and women.
Another man asked Kirkpatrick's opinion on the Rotary Club. "One of the secrets to the success of the U.S. has been its active democratic citizenship. I think the Rotary Club is an example of that active citizenship," she said.
After the event, Alexander said, "I think Kirkpatrick's lecture was a great success. We had more people there than we expected. It was a great experience and hope Napa will continue to support it."
Alexander said the Rotary will continue to move forward with its plan to bring top-name speakers to Napa for its lecture series. The Vintage Bank and Dey Laboratories sponsored Kirkpatrick's talk. Proceeds generated from each lecture in "The Forum of the Napa Valley" series will benefit Napa charities.
Next on the agenda will be Ann Coulter, an attorney and author of the New York Times bestsellers, "High Crimes and Misdemeanors: The Case Against Bill Clinton," "Slander: Liberal Lies About the American Right" and "Treason: Liberal Treachery from the Cold War to the War on Terrorism." Coulter will speak Monday, Nov. 10 at 7:30 p.m. at Silverado.
Note that the end of the article mentions that Ann Coulter will speak in Napa Valley on November 10th at 7:30 PM at Silverado. Anyone from there going to attend?
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