Bush Drives Adversaries Crazy

Human Events Online ^ | November 10, 2003 | Rabbi Aryeh Spero

[Boxsford]

Yes, but they visualize themselves as in charge of that American one world.

[bert]

These are the EurocRats.....

[Boxsford]

been running on the bitterness of being a loser ever since.

pathetically true and worse are those that actually buy into that

[F.J. Mitchell]

As stupid and close to crazy as Bush's Adversaries already were, he didn't have to drive them very far, probably just drove them along with the cattle.

I feel the democraps pain. I hated Clinton as they hate bush, but could do nothing but stew in the juices of impotent frustration. Yep, I feel their pain, BUT I LIKE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Liberal Classic]

Definately and interesting article, thanks for the ping.

First let me say it is difficult for me to put myself in the shoes of a libertarian who hates G.W. Bush. I have a hard time hating anybody and I don't hate Bush, and I certianly like him a great deal more than Clinton. Not wanting to damn GWB with faint praise since Clinton represents such a low bar, let me say that Bush's balance with me is in the positive and I'd like to explain why. Doing so will help frame why I don't have Bush and why some other libertarians seem to do so. My evaluation of GWB comes down to Afganistan and Iraq. Whatever his domestic policies might be, it is of enormous value that GWB acted after September 11th, that he got permission from Congress to do so, and that he allowed his generals to do their job. I cannot emphasize enough the importance I place on these qualities. That have been said I do not agree with him on a number of important domestic issues, I believe he is wrong on some things and on others I believe his positions are too weak. These are not minor issues, but compared with foreign affairs they are of less import.

While libertarians who hate Bush may not believe themselves to be 'internationalists' or 'world socialists' (a better description I think) they do share one important quality with the lefists who hate Bush, and that is they see themselves as 'intelligentsia' or intellectual elite. I'd like to contrast this group from those who oppose foreign military activity with suspicion but do not have Bush as a person. I do not want to paint all libertarians who were opposed to declaring war as the same as those who hate Bush. The libertarians who hate Bush, whether objectivists or pacificists or whatever faction do so because they have succumbed to the same hubris as the Bush hating lefists. They see most Americans as 'not like them' and that they are more politically sophisticated. It is really the same thing, just that the political lean is different, the elitism is the same. Instead of being un-American instead they are a kind of super-patriot who knows better than the great unwashed, Republicans included. These libertarians give me and my kind a bad name. Despite the fact that I am part of the kick-ass-and-take-names faction, I know that there are moderates and pacifists that do not hate Bush. Those that do engage in the same fear and self-loathing (excuse the reference) as the leftist, and believe that if they were in charged things would be different.

Fortunately, most libertarians don't go this far but the ones that do get all the air time. I felt personally shamed by Browne's comments after September 11th and it was enough to make me burn my membership card. The national party seems to be populated with these types. What good does it do to haggle over roads when there are people who want to kill us? Bah. I think that most libertarians are, if not pragmatists, realists. That seems to be why most of them still vote Republican as I do -- and even if they don't they know that the world socialist is a bigger enemy than the Republican. That's why there are so many Republican Liberty Caucus and Libertarian Party types on FR to begin with. It's sometimes a rocky relationship but I think we know we need each other. Those libertarians or Republicans who don't are approaching the same hubris as the world socialist.

[CGVet58]

sad to say, but as a new yorker (transplanted now to connecticut), I agree with everything the Rabbi wrote. Everything. Succintly put; passionate and compelling. Above all else, a truthful depiction of the sickness that is the "local majority" of leftist elitist thought that passes for political consciousness here in the tri-state area.

Case in point: at work, I am (probably; any others may be cowed into silence...) the only outspoken conservative. In a recent conversation, the topic turned to Bush undercutting education (by not spending more money on education - "throw more money at it..."; a typical leftist mantra). I replied that more money did not guarantee a better education, citing the approximately 13,000 per student in the DC area, and the 9,000 per student in New York (topic was public schools). I then pointed out that indicators from middle America showed better school scores at a fraction of the cost we were paying locally.

My opponent responds by shouting from left field that middle America had issues as evidenced by Columbine. I was incredulous; to think that the conversation had jumped from one of the question of whether money could solve education issues to using a school massacre as a metaphor for the difference between schools in fly-over country and schools in the inner cities... I couldn't come to terms with that revelation when it happened, it was that shocking.

I've given that conversation no small amount of thought since then. Mostly because I was struggling to understand how such an escalation had occurred in the conversation, and partly (though not a small part, admittedly...) because I was caught by surprise by the virulence of the response, and I don't like getting caught by surprise.

This article clears up my confusion to a large extent: they hate me, because I Love America. And that, my fellow Freeper-brethren, is juuuuuust Beee-a-uuuu-tiful!

Juan

[Boxsford]

Great post. Thanks for responding in detail.

I'd like to contrast this group from those who oppose foreign military activity with suspicion but do not have (hate) Bush as a person.

I've not come across anyone like this.
Libertarians were forever complaining about the pre-war bombings in Iraq and the unfair sanctions (for the children and the innocents you know) and yet when our country actually did something that caused an ousting of a horrendous and cruel regime (that were hundred fold worse than any bombings or sanctions our nation inflicted) they continue to complain not against Sadaam but America! I do not understand their idea of 'compassion' and there is no discussing with them because it is as you say; they feel they are the intellectual elite.

What good does it do to haggle over roads when there are people who want to kill us? Bah.
Exactly.

Thanks again for your post. Yours are always a good read.