They're still at the Wellstone Funeral.
Posted on 01/27/2004 7:59:13 AM PST by presidio9
The views expressed in last week's editorial on the president's State of the Union speech are so far from the mainstream of what most Minnesotans and Americans believe that they clearly fit under the late Sen. Pat Moynihan's observation: Never has the opposite of the truth been so precisely stated.
Because of the nature of your inaccurate attack on the president, we have taken the unprecedented step of replying with one voice.
If it is going to serve the public and stimulate a thoughtful dialogue, an editorial board should not allow personal, partisan bitterness to trump the facts. Even opinions need to be more than mere conjecture. Minnesota readers deserve more responsible journalism than we saw in Wednesday's editorial.
At some point, basic fairness, honesty and some relationship to reality must become part of the equation.
This newspaper hit rock bottom right out of the chute by blaming the administration for "failing to grasp and act ... prior to 9/11" and that "mounting evidence suggest ... the attacks might have been thwarted."
We've been in briefings, classified and otherwise, for more than two years. Unless this newspaper has some incredible sources, you're now spinning the same bizarre and discredited conspiracy theories that even Iowa Democrats rejected last week.
These sorts of charges aren't worthy of an Internet blog, let alone a respectable newspaper. Either present real facts and evidence, or leave the Bush-bashing nonsense to the bloggers.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Because of the nature of your inaccurate attack on the president, we have taken the unprecedented step of replying with one voice.
If it is going to serve the public and stimulate a thoughtful dialogue, an editorial board should not allow personal, partisan bitterness to trump the facts. Even opinions need to be more than mere conjecture. Minnesota readers deserve more responsible journalism than we saw in Wednesday's editorial.
At some point, basic fairness, honesty and some relationship to reality must become part of the equation.
This newspaper hit rock bottom right out of the chute by blaming the administration for "failing to grasp and act ... prior to 9/11" and that "mounting evidence suggest ... the attacks might have been thwarted."
We've been in briefings, classified and otherwise, for more than two years. Unless this newspaper has some incredible sources, you're now spinning the same bizarre and discredited conspiracy theories that even Iowa Democrats rejected last week.
These sorts of charges aren't worthy of an Internet blog, let alone a respectable newspaper. Either present real facts and evidence, or leave the Bush-bashing nonsense to the bloggers.
President Bush has ably managed a host of serious problems and foreign crises. While we each disagree with certain of his policies and decisions, we believe that, on the whole, his first term has been good for Minnesota and the nation.
The war on terrorism is going well. Afghanistan and Iraq are no longer ruled by maniacal dictators who train and fund terrorists and seek to export violence and instability. Libya has run up the white flag on its weapons of mass destruction program without a shot being fired.
We think the president got it exactly right when he said in his speech: "America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our country." We realize this is a major fault line in America, between those who think America is a force for peace and prosperity in the world, and those who think us a force for ill.
International organizations, the United Nations included, are an important part of global security. But they are no substitute for American power and resolve. While some here at home and friends abroad will complain about us, as they did when Ronald Reagan confronted the Soviet Union, they will not hesitate to accept the benefits of a more peaceful and secure world, benefits that don't come from empty promises or wishful thinking.
Your analysis of Bush's domestic record was perhaps even less forthright. Contrary to your assertion, the president was again exactly right: Every person who pays income taxes received a tax cut. It's difficult for people who pay no income taxes to receive income tax relief.
It's well documented that Bush inherited a mild recession and a host of corporate scandals that had been brewing throughout the mid- to late 1990s. This real "crony capitalism" produced tens of billions in funny money that inflated revenue estimates and economic forecasts, then evaporated at the first sign of a reckoning.
The combination of tax relief, knocking down foreign barriers to our products, ending frivolous lawsuits, and restoring control of government spending is exactly what is required to restore more economic prosperity and better jobs for all Minnesotans.
Bush has reached out time and again only to be rebuffed. Still, despite the increasing partisanship and bitterness of the minority party and its outside allies, he has demonstrated true compassionate conservatism with his initiatives to help the uninsured, ex-prisoners hoping for a new life, and faith-based organizations working to provide comfort and support to the needy.
These are challenging times for America and the world, and it is precisely because of the policies and leadership of President Bush that our union is far stronger, indeed.
Sen. Norm Coleman and Reps. Mark Kennedy, John Kline, Gil Gutknecht and Jim Ramstad are the Republicans in Minnesota's congressional delegation.
Outside allies... What a great way to describe them... It includes the liberal press, Al Queda, the eco-fascists, the Communist Workers Party, and America haters everywhere, in one broad, bold stroke.
Yes, but I think Hollyweird deserves to be mentioned by name as well.
Not in their socialistic vision for America. How long do we need to fight the war on poverty, and how much money must we spend.
They're still at the Wellstone Funeral.
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