Posted on 06/02/2007 7:10:36 AM PDT by Travis McGee
"I hold it that a little rebellion now and then is a good thing, and as necessary in the political world as storms in the physical."
So said Jefferson. It would appear to be time again for a little rebellion in the Grand Old Party – this time against George II.
For President Bush has attacked his own loyalists for a lack of patriotism. "If you don't want to do what's right for America," he said of opponents of the Bush-Kennedy immigration bill, "if you want to scare the American people, what you say is the bill's an amnesty bill. That's empty political rhetoric, trying to frighten our citizens."
But if the 12 million to 20 million illegal aliens are instantly legalized, what other term is there to describe that than amnesty?
Not only are opponents not doing "what's right for America," their courage is in question: "People in Congress need the courage to go back to their districts and explain exactly what this bill is all about. The fundamental question is, will elected officials have the courage necessary to put a comprehensive immigration plan in place?"
Where, one wonders, was "Bush's Brain," Karl Rove?
For, worse than a crime, this attack on his base was a blunder. The people Bush is savaging – columnists, commentators, talk-show hosts, congressmen fighting his bill – have been the frontline troops in his fight to sustain funding for the war.
And if there were any doubt whom Bush had in mind, his surrogate, Linda Chavez, cleared it up:
"Some people just don't like Mexicans – or anyone else from south of the border. They think Latinos are freeloaders and welfare cheats who are too lazy to learn English. They think Latinos have too many babies and that Latino kids will dumb down our schools. They think Latinos are dirty, diseased, indolent and more prone to criminal behavior. They think Latinos are just too different from us ever to become real Americans. ...
"Unfortunately, among this group is a fair number of Republican members of Congress, almost all influential conservative talk radio hosts, some cable news anchors – most prominently, Lou Dobbs – and a handful of public policy 'experts' at organizations such as the Center for Immigration Studies, the Federation for American Immigration Reform, NumbersUSA, in addition to fringe groups like the Minuteman Project."
Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan cites other attacks by Bush surrogates on the conservative base: "Sen. Lindsey Graham has said, 'We're gonna tell the bigots to shut up.' ... Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff suggested opponents would prefer illegal immigrants be killed; Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said those who oppose the bill want 'mass deportation.' Former Bush speechwriter Michael Gerson said those who oppose the bill are 'anti-immigrant' and suggested they suffer from 'rage' and 'national chauvinism.'
"Why would they speak so insultingly, with such hostility, of opponents who are concerned citizens? And often, though not exclusively, concerned conservatives?" asks Noonan.
Because, Peggy, down deep where they live, they don't like the right, never did and have always sought to be seen by the Big Media as the progressive children of a dysfunctional and retarded family.
Bush's attack on the motives and character of conservatives tell us it is Goldwater-Rockefeller time again – time to split the blanket. Conservatives need to declare their independence of Bush and to repudiate Bushism as the philosophy of their movement and party.
While Bush's court appointments, setting aside the Harriet Miers mess, have been superb, while his tax cuts have been Reaganite, while his stand on traditional values is courageous, beyond is a vast wasteland as far as the eye can see.
His free-trade zealotry has led to five straight record trade deficits. While America's economy is now growing at under 1 percent, China's is booming at 10 percent. His refusal to defend and secure the borders is well-nigh impeachable. His compromises with Teddy Kennedy on No Child Left Behind have doubled the size of the Department of Education without any appreciable gain in test scores. His "Big Government Conservatism" marks him as his father's son, not Reagan's heir. In Ward Connerly's courageous battle against reverse discrimination, the Bushes have all been on the other side.
His bungled war of choice on Iraq has left us with 3,400 dead, 25,000 wounded, hundreds of billions deeper in debt and an Army on the point of breaking. Relations with Europe, Russia, and the Arab and Muslim world are worse than they were when he took office.
His clandestine drive to merge Mexico, America and Canada in a "Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America" – a North American Union modeled on the European Union – entails the loss of sovereignty and end of the republic as we know it.
The damage Bush has done to his party is beginning to rival that of Herbert Hoover. If the Clintons were doing this, would conservatives be mute? Time to lock and load.
You’re neither a troll nor a mod...or even a dot :)
That ping thing. I always forget the ping.
It works for me.
Yeah, seems to be a lot of things going on, in front of and behind the curtains.
If 40 million Americans decided just to stop paying taxes, would they say we can't round up 40 million people?
Would they tell us it's just not practical and would cause too much anger?
That was on this thread, post 224. We had been talking about Travis getting banned again (turned out to be a suspension) while the trolls who tried to provoke him remained. The focus was on the mystery of Travis' banning. I took jedward's comment to mean that he missed you.
Perfect analogy! I’m in.
Not to derail the thread, but the bare minimum of armaments for troubled times is as follows:
1. A good, reliable semiauto pistol in a common caliber. The Sig in .40 a great choice, though I personally prefer Glocks in 9mm.
2. A reliable pump shotgun in 12 gauge. Look no further than a Remington 870. Used examples in good shape can be found for well under $300. Get a good variety of loads (birdshot, buckshot, slug, etc) and you’ll be well stocked. You can also buy several barrels for different uses (shorter for home defense, longer for hunting).
3. A reliable magazine fed rifle in a common caliber - I recommend either an AR15 or an AK47 variant. Either one will do the job nicely to take medium-sized game, or against humans. A Ruger Mini-14 or Mini-30 is also a good choice.
4. A reliable .22 caliber rifle for taking small game. The Ruger 10-22 is the obvious choice.
The emphasis needs to be on reliability, with an easily obtained ammunition being the close second. That’s why I’ve gone with Glock hanguns in 9mm, Remington 870 shotguns in 12 gauge, 5.56mm and .22 caliber rifles.
Reloading equipment is a must.
A pleasure, good afternoon Travis McGee.
‘Relations with Europe, Russia, and the Arab and Muslim world are worse than they were when he took office. ‘
Buchanan had me agreeing til I read the above. In Europe in particular, the tide has swung Bush’s way in both Germany and France, and whats called New Europe has always supported him.
Outside of that, the rant is dead on accurate.
“I took jedward’s comment to mean that he missed you.”
I’m not sure if I’d miss me ;) (LOL). Yes, and I’ve wondered about her posting less. Too much cautious ice-skating.
Welcome back!!!
bump
Thanks!
Even you know that makes no sense. What's your suggestion? Everyone just shut up always and never dissent? No thanks Marx.
bump
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