Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

A Sourpuss? Moi? [Peggy Noonan responds to her last column on the inaugural speech]
WSJ - Opinion Journal ^ | 1-26-05 | Peggy Noonan

Posted on 01/27/2005 2:08:34 AM PST by bellevuesbest

I have been called old, jaded, a sourpuss. Far worse, I have been called French. A response is in order.

You know the dispute. Last week I slammed the president's inaugural address. I was not alone, but I came down hard, early and in one of the most highly read editorial pages in America. Bill Buckley and David Frum also had critical reactions. Bill Safire on the other hand called it one of the best second inaugurals ever, and commentators from right and left (Bill Kristol, E.J. Dionne) found much to praise and ponder. (To my mind the best response to the inaugural was the grave, passionate essay of Mark Helprin.) So herewith some questions and answers:

A week later, do I stand by my views?

Yes. If I wrote it today I wouldn't be softer, but harder.

(Excerpt) Read more at opinionjournal.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: inauguraladdress; noonan; peggydowd; peggynoonan; sourpuss
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 321-335 next last
To: RobFromGa
Hi, Rob. I've been gone for a while and just got back on line.

The most disturbing points in this column are that she appears to be accepting the idea that we caused more trouble by going into Iraq than if we had left well-wnough alone (eerily reminiscent of Evan Bayh's "we are the authors of our own misery" comment at Condi's confirmation debate) and also that some people are incabable of self-government.

These two ideas are polar opposite to the administration, and also seem to me to be more in the vein of the democrat spin lines.

I wonder if she is going to work for Evan Bayh? Just a thought, but I was struck by that same theme in both this column and his speech.

221 posted on 01/27/2005 7:33:13 AM PST by Miss Marple
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 218 | View Replies]

To: bellevuesbest
Speaking of style, how did you like the headline on your piece last week?

I thought it was quite wicked and didn't capture the meaning of the piece. When I pointed this out to the editor he promised in the future to be more nuanced. But it was my fault. Advice to self: don't go to cover a story before you've OK'd the headline on the previous one.

The headline was the single biggest cause for the hoopla. On the one hand, at first blush, it irked a lot of Peggy's fans (including me) but on the other hand, I bet Peggy never had a column read by so many people before.

222 posted on 01/27/2005 7:34:47 AM PST by Lancey Howard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bellevuesbest

self justification piece by noonan


223 posted on 01/27/2005 7:37:00 AM PST by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Miss Marple
I wonder if she is going to work for Evan Bayh? Just a thought, but I was struck by that same theme in both this column and his speech.

Good thought.

224 posted on 01/27/2005 7:38:19 AM PST by syriacus (The whole World will be watching the Rice SMEARINGS as Condi is blamed for every "error" since 2001)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 221 | View Replies]

To: xzins

Could be that PN would propose detente with AQ and other terrorist groups. After all, this whole WOT thing is so messy. </sarcasm>


225 posted on 01/27/2005 7:39:58 AM PST by Don'tMessWithTexas
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 223 | View Replies]

To: MEG33
Some people have no capacity for self governance and must be led by authoritarian means or tyrants.

Good find. I used to believe exactly the same thing. The Bush Doctrine forced me to rethink that position. I realized, ironically, that notion came out of my liberal college education! Forwarding American precepts of individual rights = bad hegemonic imperialist.

Glad we have conservative intellectuals who lead me to the light. Too bad Peggy hasn't seen it.

226 posted on 01/27/2005 7:40:38 AM PST by GVnana (If I had a Buckhead moment would I know it?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: xsmommy

Peggy criticises Bush's speech but smarts at any critism of her own column. How dare we disagree w/her! Notice how she "answers" each criticism of her take on his speech EXCEPT the one about her being jealous of the speech writer.


227 posted on 01/27/2005 7:42:47 AM PST by Carolinamom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 200 | View Replies]

To: Fenris6
ILLEGITIMUS NON CARBORUNDUM! ;o)
228 posted on 01/27/2005 7:44:17 AM PST by iconoclast (Conservative, not partisan.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 113 | View Replies]

To: syriacus
Maybe Peggy wants Martha Stewart's job.

Peggy Noonan's Certified Method of Terrorism Disposal

When dealing with terrorism,...
It's a good thing
to have plenty of twist ties on hand

229 posted on 01/27/2005 7:44:26 AM PST by syriacus (The whole World will be watching the Rice SMEARINGS as Condi is blamed for every "error" since 2001)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 224 | View Replies]

To: Carolinamom

critsm = criticism


230 posted on 01/27/2005 7:46:29 AM PST by Carolinamom
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 227 | View Replies]

To: RobFromGa
I was at the Inauguration and everyone near me all thought it was great.

Hard to see the forest when you're in the middle of it.

231 posted on 01/27/2005 7:50:08 AM PST by iconoclast (Conservative, not partisan.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 218 | View Replies]

To: MEG33

Thanks for the link to the Steyn article. It almost seems as though he was speaking to Peggy Noonan directly, mentioning the same metaphor about speaking softly and carrying a big stick.


232 posted on 01/27/2005 7:52:59 AM PST by Eva
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 197 | View Replies]

To: BigSkyFreeper

Ok. I did see that one but thanks anyway. I didn't want to miss anything.


233 posted on 01/27/2005 7:56:31 AM PST by beckysueb (God bless America and President Bush.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 54 | View Replies]

To: RobFromGa
I was at the Inauguration and everyone near me all thought it was great.

I'm glad to hear how the speech sounded to someone who was there while it was being delivered.

Thanks.

234 posted on 01/27/2005 8:01:26 AM PST by syriacus (The whole World will be watching the Rice SMEARINGS as Condi is blamed for every "error" since 2001)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 218 | View Replies]

To: beckysueb; All

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1329702/posts
Mark Steyn: Bush means business
The Spectator (U.K.)
In case anyone misses this.


235 posted on 01/27/2005 8:02:09 AM PST by MEG33 (GOD BLESS OUR ARMED FORCES)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 233 | View Replies]

To: bellevuesbest
Much ado about nothing. She wrote it, she's gonna defend it. Who cares? As long as it keeps her off TV I'm happy! (usuallyLove her writing, HATE her mannerisms and affectations on the screen!
236 posted on 01/27/2005 8:04:33 AM PST by Hildy ( To work is to dance, to live is to worship, to breathe is to love.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: iconoclast
Hard to see the forest when you're in the middle of it.

Are you saying that it doesn't matter what speech Bush had given, the crowd would have all loved it just the same? I know that this isn't true for me.

237 posted on 01/27/2005 8:04:53 AM PST by RobFromGa (Bush Needs to Stay Aggressive in Term 2)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 231 | View Replies]

To: RobFromGa
Interesting article here.

Two Great Dissidents
Natan Sharansky’s vision, and President Bush’s.

At precisely 2 P.M., Sharansky and Dermer were ushered into the Oval Office for a private meeting with the president. They were scheduled for 45 minutes. They stayed for more than an hour. What the president told Sharansky was off the record. What Sharansky told the president was not.

"I told the president, 'There is a great difference between politicians and dissidents. Politicians are focused on polls and the press. They are constantly making compromises. But dissidents focus on ideas. They have a message burning inside of them. They would stand up for their convictions no matter what the consequences.'

"I told the president, 'In spite of all the polls warning you that talking about spreading democracy in the Middle East might be a losing issue — despite all the critics and the resistance you faced — you kept talking about the importance of free societies and free elections. You kept explaining that democracy is for everybody. You kept saying that only democracy will truly pave the way to peace and security. You, Mr. President, are a dissident among the leaders of the free world.'".........

238 posted on 01/27/2005 8:06:19 AM PST by Aquamarine
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 218 | View Replies]

To: syriacus

Will Peggy come to her senses? I hope so.


239 posted on 01/27/2005 8:06:35 AM PST by syriacus (MarthaStewart Noonan: When dealing with terrorism, it's a GOOD THING to have trash can lids on hand.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 229 | View Replies]

To: bellevuesbest

Bill Buckley and David Frum also had critical reactions.>>>>>

Erm, I read William F Buckley's critique of Pres speech.
He didnt complain at all about the God references.


240 posted on 01/27/2005 8:16:38 AM PST by Selkie (You can argue 'til you're blue in the face, but I'll always be right.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 201-220221-240241-260 ... 321-335 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson