[Atlantic Friend]

Could we then sum it up by saying you would prefer Conservative columnists, such as Peggy Noonan, to write only approving articles ?

[sinkspur]

She can write whatever she wants, but should not be surprised when she's blasted by those who believe she's off in the weeds. This latest column is an effort to explain herself, and it only makes things worse.

She doesn't take criticsm well, and some of her defenders here don't either.

Buckley's another one who has been a big disappointment, not only on the inaugural speech but on his overall attitude toward the Iraq war.

Put former speechwriter David Frum in that category as well; he's "troubled" by Bush's direction.

Nobody gets headlines for agreeing with a conservative president, that's for sure.