Mark Steyn: The pundits in love with doom and gloom

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 12/30/03 | Mark Steyn

[CovenBuster]

[xzins]

awesome article.

Every high schooler and college student in america should be assigned this for over-night reading.

[TheMole]

Quasi Autonomous Non Governmental Organization

The term appeared in Britain in the 1970s. Classic examples would be the Red Cross or the World Wildlife Fund -- an organization that is ostensibly non-profit, gets some funding from various governments, and is thought by many people to be a part of government. Agencies of the United Nations, such as the World Health Organization, are also often considered to be quangos. The acronym NGO is more common in the American and Canadian press. Employees of quangos have of course got their own culture and career path; in the USA this is referred to as the non-profit sector and would mean places like the foundations, NPR, the United Way, etc.

[irv]

"It is hard not to hate George Bush,"

Put out as a throw-away line, but it deserves som emore thought. In particular, it relates to this:

the bizarre persistence of the "anti-war" movement even after the war was over

The anti-war movement was always more anti-Bush, and based on hate, despite their meaningless claim to desire peace.

[Amelia]

Another winner from Steyn. Gotta love it.

[metesky]

In my corner of New Hampshire in late March, if you could persuade 'em to take a five-minute break from chasing their sisters round the hayloft, guys with no teeth face down in the moonshine would tell you the Yanks would be marching down Glorious Saddam, Mighty Slayer Of The Infidel Boulevard by April 15, max.

Maybe if this poofter has so little respect for the natives of his adopted state, they should kick him back to Canada or Great Britain. I bet he doesn't hit the local gin mills all that much, probably over in Hanover with the intellectual crowd.

Sod off, Steyn.

[irv]

Sod off, Steyn.

Umm, you do know that Steyn writes most of his stuff very tongue-in-cheek (that means it shouldn't be taken too seriously), don't you?

[aculeus]

For a significant chunk of the British establishment and for most of the governing class on the Continent, if it's a choice between an America-led West or no West at all they'll take the latter.

True also for our own Bush+America-hating leftwingers.

[lambo]

Irony, metesky, irony. You've got to learn to read without the aid of emoticons.

[CFC__VRWC]

I know most everyone here is salivating at the prospect of Howard Dean as the Dem candidate, figuring that he's the easiest one for the President to beat, and maybe that part is true. However I don't want this guy getting any nearer to the White House than he is, and he's already WAY too close for my comfort. This guy is a complete lightweight, and dangerously unstable to boot.

[metesky]

I know exactly how Steyn writes and the effect he's trying for and for the most part I find his insights and humor spot on.

However, he's an upper middle class guy who has had a choice of where in this wide world to plunk his @$$ and he chose New Hampshire, which last time I checked was not known for moonshine and toothless goobers.

And I do find it ironic that a Brit would mock somebody else's lack of dental care.

[Chu Gary]

"The real story of this past year is not Saddam, but something deeper, symbolised by the bizarre persistence of the "anti-war" movement even after the war was over. For a significant chunk of the British establishment and for most of the governing class on the Continent, if it's a choice between an America-led West or no West at all they'll take the latter. That's the trend to watch in the year ahead."

Another compelling article from Steyn and it does cause a person to wonder where these peaceniks are going to go next to snivel about somebody "being mistreated." Oh yeah, they can pitch a hissy fit about those poor Zimbabwe government people who everybody dislikes!

[Chu Gary]

"I know exactly how Steyn writes and the effect he's trying for and for the most part I find his insights and humor spot on.
However, he's an upper middle class guy who has had a choice of where in this wide world to plunk his @$$ and he chose New Hampshire, which last time I checked was not known for moonshine and toothless goobers.

And I do find it ironic that a Brit would mock somebody else's lack of dental care."

So, from what you write, if he had settled in Louisville, KY or Cahokia, ILL, you'd like him, right? From your words, I don't think so.

[metesky]

You got me wrong, CG. I like him fine, I just don't think it's good manners to mock one's adopted land. Or why adopt it in the first place?

[infowarrior]

It's been brutal listening to these dwarfs, but it seems they're starting to reign themselves in. (Dean excluded)...

Perhaps that is because Dean isn't a dwarf, but merely a midget (of the mental variety)...

the infowarrior

[Slings and Arrows]

I believe Mr. Steyn is mocking the mediacrats' perception of the residents of Flyover Country, rather than the residents themselves.

[Stultis]

Had to look that one up myself. Dictionary.com defines quango as:

Everything I know about British politics I learned from Yes, Minister:

'JOBS FOR THE BOYS': (Originally transmitted 7 April 1980) A £74 million building project seems to Jim a shining example of a successful collaboration between Government and private industry - until he discovers that the private firm involved has gone bust. A certain banker can help - in return for the cushy chairmanship of a QUANGO. And [as Sir Humphrey notes] it takes two to Quango...

Sir Desmond: So it all boils down to the Industry Co-partnership Committee. Still, I find that quite acceptable.
Sir Humphrey: Well, it is within the gift of my Minister, and you would only put in appearances once or twice a month.
Sir Desmond: Are there lots of papers?
Sir Humphrey: Yes, but it wouldn't be awfully necessary to read them.
Sir Desmond: Then I wouldn't have anything to say at the monthly meetings.
Sir Humphrey: Splendid, I can see you're just the chap I'm looking for.

[GOPJ]

Mark Steyn: Columnist Of the Year in my book...

But look, don't all stampede to shower me with Columnist Of The Year awards.

[nicksaunt]

Great post CFC, you brought up some very interesting points. I had not thought of Howard Dean as another Gray Davis, but you hit it on the nail, these two are cut from the same cloth.

I predict that Dean will implode sometime during the general election. Once he captures the nomination, his ego and arrogance will be more out of control than ever. Can you imagine how he will react once the scrutiny and questioning become much more intense and brutal as it will once the general campaign begins? He won't be able to take it and I can only imagine that he will be a lot meaner and nastier than what we see today. I would not be surprised if the 2002 Presidential campaign becomes one of the nastiest of all time.

This especially brought to you by way of the Mental Midget from Montpelier.

[lainde]

bttt