Before any more damage is done, I say we take note of them, but refuse to respond to them.
Notice how, the closer the attack gets, the more absolutely ridiculous the arguments get (when they're not being repeated ad nauseum, that is)?
"Before any more damage is done, I say we take note of them, but refuse to respond to them."
It would appear the Birchers and the Brigadiers have allied with the anti-war left. Philosophically, many have -- joining with the anarchists in their anti-globalist fixation (while mistaking Bush and the Republican right for globalists, who actually inhabit the Democrat left).
I am reminded, though, of Spring, 2000. Vicious flame wars were fought on Free Republic between vile tempered self-styled Brigadiers and pompous self-styled Bushies. But a little digging revealed that the people behind some of the screen names on both sides were actually DNC-types trying to drive a wedge between conservatives.
This may be the case once again -- the anti-war left hiding behind a "conservative" coloration. And, in any event, your advice is well taken.
It is amazing, though, how the nay-sayers on this thread (and others like it) have conformed precisely to Brooks' specifications. They are universally unwilling to address the consequences of inaction.