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To: Rockingham

Bolton is as neocon as they come. Possibly more of a nationalist neocon, which might contribute to his not quite fitting in with his type, but he’s your usual chickenhawk who never met a possible war he didn’t like.


21 posted on 01/06/2019 3:06:30 AM PST by 9YearLurker
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To: 9YearLurker
Bolton is a Lutheran who worked in the Reagan administration at the Departments of State and Justice. This means that Bolton ought not to be called a neocon since the term is nowadays usually applied to a limited group of pro-Iraq war Jewish intellectuals who, after 9/11, became hawkish and pro-US nationalists.

Personally, I do not like that use of "neocon" because it stems from the Left's appropriation of a term from the Reagan era for use as an epithet with anti-Jewish overtones. In the Left's view, anyone who was on the Left but then supported the Iraq War is a traitor to them.

The term "chicken hawk" is even worse because it was originally a term for older gays who cruise the streets looking for young gay prostitutes. Refashioned into a political insult, chicken hawk refers to someone who is pro-war but shirked personal risk of military service or combat. I have no reason to think that was the case with Bolton.

To Bolton's credit, as a Fox New commentator and recognized conservative figure, he was pro-Trump during the 2016 campaign when many in the GOP were reflexively hostile to Trump. In return, Trump identified Bolton as a potential Secretary of State. And since Bolton is now Trump's National Security Adviser, he has had a role in crafting Trump's withdrawal of troops from the conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan.

If you have a substantive point against Bolton, please explain with facts. I am in earnest. I am not trying to bait you.

28 posted on 01/06/2019 9:17:53 AM PST by Rockingham
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