Posted on 12/14/2009 1:30:28 PM PST by The Big Boo
America Under Barack Obama - An Interview with Nat Hentoff - By John W. Whitehead - December 11, 2009
Nat Hentoff has had a life well spent, one chock full of controversy fueled by his passion for the protection of civil liberties and human rights. Hentoff is known as a civil libertarian, free speech activist, anti-death penalty advocate, pro-lifer and not uncommon critic of the ideological left.
At 84, Nat Hentoff is an American classic who has never shied away from an issue. For example, he defended a woman rejected from law school because she was Caucasian; called into a talk show hosted by Oliver North to agree with him on liberal intolerance for free speech; was a friend to the late Malcolm X; and wrote the liner notes for Bob Dylan's second album.
A self-described uncategorizable libertarian, Hentoff adds he is also a Jewish atheist, civil libertarian, pro-lifer. Accordingly, he has angered nearly every political faction and remains one of a few who has stuck to his principles through his many years of work, regardless of the trouble it stirred up. For instance, when he announced his opposition to abortion he alienated numerous colleagues, and his outspoken denunciation of President Bill Clinton only increased his isolation in liberal circles (He said that Clinton had "done more harm to the Constitution than any president in American history," and called him "a serial violator of our liberties.").
http://www.reviewmessenger.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3704:america-under-barack-obama&catid=19:guest-opinion
(Excerpt) Read more at reviewmessenger.com ...
ping
I always liked this guy even when I disagreed with him — because his stands were principled and based on a rational extension of his world view.
He used to call himself Nat. :)
Thanks for posting. Bookmark for later reading.
I used to think he was rational—until he went “pro-life.”
He stands with the few true liberals as an independent thinker not a ideologue.
“Pro-life” isn’t rational?
Well, he certainly says what he thinks, as usual.
For instance: “I try to avoid hyperbole, but I think Obama is possibly the most dangerous and destructive president we have ever had.”
And a number of other statements along those lines.
I think pro-life is very rational. I think abortion is irrational to the extreme.
the usurper
http://gunnyg.wordpress.com/2009/12/14/another-full-page-ad-obama-a-usurpervisual-by-devvy/
I never put Hentoff out there as a conservative by any means, and actually thought of him pretty much as a liberal. He may very well be the true centrist in his ability to think clearly. Krauthammer and Victor David Hanson also come to mind.
BUT READ THIS ARTICLE FROM SOMEONE WHO PROBABLY IS MORE ALLIGNED WITH THE LEFT. HE PUTS THINGS SQUARELY THE WAY WE ALL FEEL HERE. GREAT GREAT POST!!!!!!!!!!
later
Hentoff is our Solzhenitsyn.
I can’t believe Nat Hentoff is 84! He was young when I knew him.
Hentoff has always been what I call an "honest liberal". We can disagree with him on policy points, sure. But he knows "right" and he knows "wrong".
And unlike most on the left, he actually loves his country.
That is truly an awesome interview. If anybody reading here hasn’t looked at it, then go straight to the link and read it. Solid gold.
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