The Paleoconservative Age: They hate W. – from the right. (A paleocon bestiary)

The New Haven Advocate ^ | July 3, 2003 | Joe Miksch

[quidnunc]

At first blush, the phrase "anti-establishment conservative" doesn't make sense. Aren't the conservatives, especially considering the United States' current political climate, the establishment?

Well, yes. But there are conservatives who consider what passes for a conservative today — George W. Bush, for example — equivalent to the Red under one's bed in the 1950s. These folks are called paleoconservatives and, according to guys such as Jim Libinskas, hold a world-view that champions "an isolationist, 'America First' foreign policy, regional culture and politics versus big government and pop culture, protection for American workers (economic nationalism), a stoppage or large curtailment of immigration and a defense of America's European and Christian identity."

The paleoconservative heyday occurred in the early and mid-1990s with anti-immigration, isolationist, anti-free trade, ultranationalist Pat Buchanan making more than a marginal impact in his runs for the Republican presidential nomination. After fighting a losing ideological battle against neoconservatives — well-connected, well-funded, well-organized leftists in the paleoconservative's eyes — the paleos, to a large degree, went the way of the dinosaur.

Yet they persist. Though few in number, their Web sites are many. At the vanguard in the beginning and toeing the line in the present is Chronicles magazine and its web presence www.chroniclesmagazine.org. Long considered the movement's bible, the mag has dipped in circulation from 20,000 at its peak to less than 5,000.

-snip-

[Age of Reason]

Now this is interesting . . . "neoconservative" has made it into the dictionary.

Here's what the dictionary says about it:

"An intellectual and political movement in favor of political, economic, and social conservatism that arose in opposition to the perceived liberalism of the 1960s: 'The neo-conservatism of the 1980s is a replay of the New Conservatism of the 1950s, which was itself a replay of the New Era philosophy of the 1920s' (Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.)."

("Perceived" liberalism of the 1960's?)

Well, I don't know who started this neo and paleo stuff.

It just seems to me that someone is either a conservative or they should get their own word and stop borrowing ours.

[Sam's Army]

I still think supporting Israel is a good idea.

[rdb3]

"Are called"? Who calls them "paleoconservatives"?

Paleoconservatives, that's who.

Show 'em my motto!

[Trickyguy]

Cute buzzword for "simply bitter & contrarian". Loserdopians without the weed.

Grow up.

[Age of Reason]

I still think supporting Israel is a good idea.

But why?

Maybe now it is--but perhaps if we hadn't gotten involved with Israel to begin with we wouldn't need to be involved with them now.

What's more, I do believe I heard (on NPR of all places) that it was John F. Kennedy (democrat) who was the first president to steer America towards Israel.

[MissouriForBush]

You still never answered my question.

Bye!

[rdb3]

Maybe now it is--but perhaps if we hadn't gotten involved with Israel to begin with we wouldn't need to be involved with them now.

Boy, Pat Buchanan and Joe Sobran would surely love you.

Show 'em my motto!

[Sam's Army]

"But why?"

As I've gotten older, I realize that I in fact don't know everything. This little book called a Bible has helped do more and more thinking for me.

[billbears]

Exactly what kind of people are these self-styled "neocoservatives" anyway? Isn't there a simpler word to describe them?

Yes, quite a few. Liberals, ardent Republicans (those who favor party over principle), and interventionists (Wilsonians) among others. At least that's who I've seen most support the neocon view of government. Big and fully supportive of most of the FDR policies as a necessary evil. Neocons would not view a possibility of returning this nation of states to a level of government any further than 1935.

The side issue of support of Israel is there. However many 'paleocons' I have met (at least in the South) have no problem with support of Israel. It's part of our Christian faith. You're brought up with it. God's Chosen People are Israel and the rest of us are grafted in through the Blood of Christ. Those that label themselves neocon I've seen lately throw out the issue of non-support of Israel instead of seriously discuss why they support the self labeled Godfather of Neoconservatism's view of government

[Sam's Army]

"It's part of our Christian faith. You're brought up with it. God's Chosen People are Israel and the rest of us are grafted in through the Blood of Christ."

May God's blessings multiply upon you rapidly throughout you and your family's lifetime.

[VaBthang4]

Forgive my 'simplisme'.

I'm just not able to see the Eurostyle complications/difficulties involved in calling a spade a spade.

[Age of Reason]

From what little I've read of Sobran, I think he's an idiot.

And Buchannan is a public figure.

(Who tricked the Reform Party into thinking he abandoned the Republicans, when in fact it is most likely Buchannan was sent on a mission to steal the Reform nomination and then purposely run a lame campaign to prevent Perot from stealing votes away from Bush Jr., like Perot did to Bush Sr.)

The powers behind the Reform Party must have been drooling over the prospect of having someone like Buchannan as their nominee.

Joke was on them.

[Age of Reason]

George Washington might have loved me too.

(You know, that part about being wary of foreign entanglements.)

[VaBthang4]

"We are winning ~ the bad guys are losing ~ trolls, terrorists, Paleoconservatives[Loserdopians], democrats and the mainstream media are sad ~ very sad!"

Zactly.

[eleni121]

These guys are out of sync because they lack the emancipating imagination of Judaeo-Christian principles.
1)First of all, Christianity is universalist and assumes a desire to evangelize everywhere.
A fortress mentality assumes that Christianity is being besieged.
2) A capitalist nation desires to spread the benefits of the free market around the world.
3) A capitalist Christian nation is unafraid to participate in the world of humanity.

[Scenic Sounds]

Well, I don't know who started this neo and paleo stuff.

I'm sure it was a political ploy to secure some adavantage at the time, but I agree with you completely about the worthlessness of these labels. They're worse than worthless - they are like little chains designed to prevent people from thinking for themselves. There really is no reason that people can't approach politics one issue at a time. ;-)

[VaBthang4]

Did George have a part about foreign entanglements occurring after passenger planes ply into and collapse 110 story towers or the Pentagon?

How exactly would George have oriented himself toward losing 3000 people when the US Population during his time was a mere 3 million?

Please...provide us with enlightenment oh great haint of George.

[Age of Reason]

God's Chosen People are Israel

But is Israel meant as a people or as a place in the Mideast?

[VaBthang4]

Hey, Me too!

[Sam's Army]

"But is Israel meant as a people or as a place in the Mideast?"

1. How old are you?

2. Do you have a Bible?