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

Skip to comments.

J'ACCUSE
National Review Online ^ | 3/12/2003 | David Frum

Posted on 03/12/2003 8:32:08 AM PST by hchutch

“J’Accuse” is the title of one of the most famous polemics of the century – Emile Zola’s 1898 open letter accusing the leaders of the French Army of deliberately framing Col. Alfred Dreyfus. Zola's letter takes its title from the ringing paragraphs at the finale:

“I accuse Lt. Col. du Paty de Clam ... I accuse General Mercier ... I accuse General Billot ... etc.”

Dreyfus was of course Jewish, and the battle between the Dreyfusards and anti-Dreyfusards quickly transformed itself into a grand argument over the place of Jews in France. The anti-Dreyfusards regarded Jews as inherently alien and disloyal by definition. Facts never mattered much to them: When it was finally proven that one of the documents that condemned Dreyfus had in fact been falsified by the Army, a leading anti-Dreyfusard named Charles Maurras hailed the “heroic forgery.”

As little as they liked Dreyfus, however, the anti-Dreyfusards liked Emile Zola if possible even less. They charged him with libel, prosecuted, and convicted him – many of them threatened to murder him; they succeeded instead in driving him into exile. He died in 1902 under suspicious circumstances; some believe he was murdered in retaliation for his defense of Dreyfus. So it is really rather a perverse triumph for the author of “J’Accuse” that the anti-Dreyfusards of our day now seek to borrow Zola’s words.

Yet there they are in the current issue of The American Conservative under the byline of Pat Buchanan.

“We charge that a cabal of polemicists and public officials seek to ensnare our country in a series of wars that are not in America’s interests. We charge them with colluding with Israel to ignite those wars and destroy the Oslo Accords. We charge them with deliberately damaging U.S. relations with every state in the Arab world that defies Israel or supports the Palestinian people’s right to a homeland of their own. We charge that they have alienated friends and allies all over the Islamic and Western world through their arrogance, hubris, and bellicosity.”

Buchanan’s authority to decide which wars are in America’s interest and which are not is rather badly tarnished by his own opposition to the liberation of Kuwait in 1991 and the opposition of many of his neo-isolationist pals to the campaign against the Taliban. Even more bizarre is this sudden concern for "friends and allies" from a man who has spent the past decade and a half denying that America needed either.

More on all that for another day. In the meantime, here is a rewriting of “J’Accuse” that is perhaps more in keeping with the ideals and principles of its original author, who – though a lifelong man of the Left – was always a patriot.

“We charge that a cabal of writers who misuse the title of ‘conservatives’ are rallying to defend an Iraqi dictator who has waged war on American allies, attempted to assassinate an American president, fired on American aircraft, and who is now arming to threaten Americans with mass murder.

“We charge them with making common cause with left-wing radicals and radical Islamists, former communists and other people who hate the United States – all in order to prematurely halt the war on terror and preserve the Iraqi dictator’s rule.

“We charge them with forgetting George Washington’s warning in his Farewell Address against ‘habitual hatred’ for any nation – and instead allowing their unreasoning loathing of the Jewish state to lead them into what Washington condemned as a ‘passionate attachment’ to Baathist Iraq.

“We charge them with disregarding their wartime duty to lay aside their prejudices and resentments for the sake of the common good. We charge them with attempting to undermine a conservative Republican president in a moment of national emergency. We charge them with acting as excuse-makers for America’s enemies. We charge them with failing to put America first.”


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: buchanan; frum; jaccuse
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-79 last
To: Sabertooth; Poohbah
Norquist, to my knowledge, has NOT been sabotaging the war on terror or writing 5,000-word screeds that probably sounded better in the original German.

Buchanan has.
61 posted on 03/12/2003 7:05:00 PM PST by hchutch ("Last suckers crossed, Syndicate shot'em up" - Ice-T, "I'm Your Pusher")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 60 | View Replies]

To: hchutch
Did you see David Frum's column today? He pretty much nailed Pat.
62 posted on 03/12/2003 7:06:01 PM PST by Howlin (Only UNamericans put the UN before America!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: Poohbah
Might I suggest THE Glenlivet 12 year?
63 posted on 03/12/2003 7:09:40 PM PST by xm177e2 (Stalinists, Maoists, Ba'athists, Pacifists: Why are they always on the same side?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: Howlin
Heck, I POSTED in this thread. :)
64 posted on 03/12/2003 7:10:57 PM PST by hchutch ("Last suckers crossed, Syndicate shot'em up" - Ice-T, "I'm Your Pusher")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 62 | View Replies]

To: hchutch
Norquist, to my knowledge, has NOT been sabotaging the war on terror or writing 5,000-word screeds that probably sounded better in the original German.

Why the double standard? Why is it "either, or?"

Did Buchanan get an award from Sami Al Arian for his efforts in thwarting anti-terrorism legislation? Has Buchanan been arranging entry for ANSWER-affiliated Wahabbi terror symps into the White House?

If there's no excuse for Buchanan (and there isn't), then what's Norquist's excuse?




65 posted on 03/12/2003 7:41:39 PM PST by Sabertooth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: hchutch
Hey Pat! Look out behind you! It's the JOOS.
66 posted on 03/12/2003 7:45:08 PM PST by Petronski (I'm not always cranky.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Sabertooth; Howlin; Poohbah
Why do you seek to pick a fight over Grover Norquist? For what possible purpose is there? I'm not interested in the non-sequitor that you are trying to drag into this issue.

The issue here is Pat Buchanan's screed. Norquist was NOT dragged into this until YOU decided to stir the pot for no reason. I'm not interested in YOUR attempt to cause division on this forum.

Don't ping me or bother me about this Norquist matter again.
67 posted on 03/12/2003 9:00:32 PM PST by hchutch ("Last suckers crossed, Syndicate shot'em up" - Ice-T, "I'm Your Pusher")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: hchutch
Why do you seek to pick a fight over Grover Norquist? For what possible purpose is there? I'm not interested in the non-sequitor that you are trying to drag into this issue.

The issue here is Pat Buchanan's screed. Norquist was NOT dragged into this until YOU decided to stir the pot for no reason. I'm not interested in YOUR attempt to cause division on this forum.

Sorry, I thought the overarching issue was anti-semitism and those who are Undermining the War on Terror. You brought up the ANSWER orgs, didn't you? Buchanan's a fat and deserving target, but not the only one, by any means, nor the most dangerous.

It's remarkable, really, the lengths to which some have gone to ignore the issue, don't you think?

And this stuff about my "attempt to cause division on this forum" is really just an ad hominem designed to cover your unwillingness to grapple with the facts. What's divisive about trying to get the truth out? I've assumed that's why we're all here, but I've been mistaken before.

Don't ping me or bother me about this Norquist matter again.




68 posted on 03/12/2003 9:29:54 PM PST by Sabertooth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: hchutch
Bump
69 posted on 03/12/2003 10:00:04 PM PST by PRND21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Sabertooth; justshe; Poohbah
Grover Norquist was not even mentioned on this thread until you came trolling it with your spam post.

Norquist has NOT engaged in what is arguably anti-Semitism. Buchanan has. Norquist has not been publicly attacking Bush over his foreign policy or the war, or advocating the same policy ANSWER has. Buchanan has.

It seems clear to me that Norquist has NOT done anything, particularly since the war started, that has had any demonstrable adverse effect on the effort. Some people, though, have chosen to pursue a vendetta against him.

And as for your claim of an ad hominem, I claim truth as a defense. Next time, don't come trolling.
70 posted on 03/13/2003 5:45:53 AM PST by hchutch ("Last suckers crossed, Syndicate shot'em up" - Ice-T, "I'm Your Pusher")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: Sabertooth
Saber, it's extremely bad form to drag flame wars from thread to thread.
71 posted on 03/13/2003 5:52:39 AM PST by Poohbah (Beware the fury of a patient man -- John Dryden)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 68 | View Replies]

To: hchutch
Don't ping me or bother me about this Norquist matter again.

The Don't Ping Me Club is growing. Spamming seems to be the method of choice for those we're trying to avoid.

72 posted on 03/13/2003 7:36:14 AM PST by justshe (FREE MIGUEL !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 67 | View Replies]

To: hchutch
Grover Norquist was not even mentioned on this thread until you came trolling it with your spam post.

Norquist has NOT engaged in what is arguably anti-Semitism. Buchanan has. Norquist has not been publicly attacking Bush over his foreign policy or the war, or advocating the same policy ANSWER has. Buchanan has.

It seems clear to me that Norquist has NOT done anything, particularly since the war started, that has had any demonstrable adverse effect on the effort. Some people, though, have chosen to pursue a vendetta against him.

Actually, the first specific mention of Norquist was by you at #61. What had earlier caught my eye was that you had, quite correctly, identified the groups affiliated with ANSWER as being anti-war and anti-American (I'm paraphrasing). You also, correctly, criticized Buchanan and others who were lined up alongside those groups.

Since you raised the issue of the ANSWER groups, isn't it a legitmate line of inquiry to explore their activities further? Some of them are in the streets, yet some have also managed to infiltrate the political process at the highest levels. Isn't this a legitimate area of concern?

I haven't claimed that Norquist is an anti-Semite, I don't honestly know his motivations. I do know that some of those whose White House access was facilitated by Norquist and his colleagues are certainly no less anti-Semitic than Buchanan, and some are worse.

With the GOP looking to make significant inroads into the Jewish vote, is this what we really want?

As to Norquist's "demonstrable adverse effect" on the war effort since it began, I hope you're right, but to my mind enough questions have been raised so as to require a healthy dose of daylight. Norquist and others proved themselves to be useful to Al Arian and other sympathizers in barring anti-terrorist evidence collection, and in getting Al Arian's brother-in-law and co-conspirator, Mazen Al-Najjar, released from prison by the Clinton Administration. Dr. Yahya Basha of the AMC (check out some of their positions here) visited Al-Najjar in prison and praised his release, yet he was a guest of the White House as recently as last November. Others from the AMC were there only in January.

The outline of Al Arian's activities has been public knowledge for quite some time, yet with the aid of people from both parties, Norquist being one, he was able to delay his indictment for years. This created a window of opportunity for Al Arian to further pursue his efforts in material support of homicide bombers in Israel. How many are dead because of that delay? Don't those responsible for the delay deserve some scrutiny?

Khaled Saffuri, co-founeer with Norquist of the Islamic Institute, attempted to intervene last year in the Treasury Department's investigation (by way of a meeting with then-Secretary Paul O'Niell) of one of his patrons, the Wahabbist Safa Trust, which is suspected of terrorist money-laundering on the Isle of Man.

I would certainly hope that people like this aren't influencing policy, but isn't a concern that they are even getting the opportunity?

If it turns out the Safa Trust is yet another terrorist fundraiser that's contributed to the Islamic Institute (like the Holy Land Foundation, a designated terro org), would that be enough to warrant barring them from White House access?

If the Safa Trust is cleared, can we be sure that Saffuri's intervention was not a factor?

In either case, isn't this a problem?




73 posted on 03/13/2003 8:26:23 AM PST by Sabertooth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: justshe
Spamming seems to be the method of choice for those we're trying to avoid.

On the matter of "spamming:"

What is one to do, when bringing specific information to the table, but to post the information, along with the links?

I'll agree that sometimes people are indiscriminate in this regard, and perhaps I've been guilty of that myself. Generally, what I've tried to do, is to be focused in posting such material by way of excerpts, highlighting, and concurrent commentary.

Is that something you find to be a problem, as a matter of practice?




74 posted on 03/13/2003 8:33:21 AM PST by Sabertooth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 72 | View Replies]

To: Sabertooth
Don't get cute, Sabertooth. While I brought Norquist up in #61, you were alluding to him in post 60. He was the person you were alluding to, if I am not mistaken.

I would certainly hope that people like this aren't influencing policy, but isn't a concern that they are even getting the opportunity?

It is NOT a concern to me. The last time I checked, the First Amendment still permitted people to "petition the government for a redress of grievances" - even if the grievances are merely perceptions. Someone who assists a person in doing so does not warrant an attack, particularly when I have seen NO evidence that their actions have caused a demonstrable harm to the war effort.

There are only allegations against Grover Norquist using guilt by association. Buchanan's public statements and his 5,000 word screed, on the other hand, clearly have put his agenda four-square with ANSWER's - and there is far more proof that Buchanan and his ilk are acting against the conservative agenda than there is against Norquist.

This post will be the FINAL comments I make on this matter. Don't ping me on Norquist AGAIN. Is that clear?

75 posted on 03/13/2003 8:59:54 AM PST by hchutch ("Last suckers crossed, Syndicate shot'em up" - Ice-T, "I'm Your Pusher")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 73 | View Replies]

To: Sabertooth
I'll agree that sometimes people are indiscriminate in this regard, and perhaps I've been guilty of that myself. Generally, what I've tried to do, is to be focused in posting such material by way of excerpts, highlighting, and concurrent commentary. Is that something you find to be a problem, as a matter of practice?

There have been days, when I could see the same article(s) (spam) posted on multiple threads spanning many days. I am not saying you did that. But often, you reply to such giving it your tacit approval.

I also object to spam or links to spam being posted that are OFF-TOPIC on a thread. RUDE, imo.

I further define spam as articles being posted that have an original author, and then the article is 'reported' in a position paper, and then the article is 'reported' in a press release.....ALL SOURCED FROM THE SAME SITE. 3 threads of the exact same material with minor changes in verbiage....from the same poster...sourced from the same site. This is,imo, a waste of bandwidth in an attempt to garner support for a particular issue.

76 posted on 03/13/2003 9:29:16 AM PST by justshe (FREE MIGUEL !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 74 | View Replies]

To: stevejackson; DPB101; nopardons; HISSKGB
bttt
Relevant to the Eskimo thread.
77 posted on 07/07/2003 9:42:25 PM PDT by 1rudeboy
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hchutch
I am so truly embarassed that I ever defended Buchanan's performance at the 1992 convention--it was the beginning of the end for Bush. I am embarassed I ever gave any of his television appearances the time of day. Without doubt, he contributed to the election of Clinton and the ensuing smut those two terms brought.

Buchanan is a kook--and a hateful one at that. He's a Mercedes-driving elitest who fed class-envy among union supporters. He's a childless man dictating other people's reproduction rights and responsibilities and how they should raise their children. He demonstrates all the micro-managing, hypocritical traits that make liberals so intolerant, contradictory, and unpleasant. And he's not even funny, or pleasant, or particularly good looking.

Bye-bye Buchanan byline.

78 posted on 07/07/2003 9:51:05 PM PDT by MHT
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: hchutch
Just for the record the persecutors and prosecutors of Dryfus were the French Army which at the time of the Republic enjoyed immense popularity, gravitas and officer worship by the French population. Dryfus was accused falsly of spying as a cover up for the true espionage. Convicted and sent to Devil's Island. Zola secured a second trial for him, he was convicted again with time served, but the French turned the blood lust of defending the Army against Zola. The French have always been a bit peculiar.

The artistic intelligensia was having it's say and socialistic communism was on the wind in Europe at that time and the Soviets were warming up their Russian takeover.
The Worker's revolt was on the march!
79 posted on 07/07/2003 10:11:39 PM PDT by wingnuts'nbolts (I still hate all things Clinton!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-79 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