Strong language begets strong language. Self-appointed apologism, to coin a noun, is a nasty business, although ash is sure the apologist below would describe it as a noble mission. In the interest of full disclosure, the original writer whom Mr. Sullivan cites is ash’s close friend. Also, Mr. Sullivan got himself a rebuttal letter in which he revealed his ignorance of the famous passage ash had paraphrased by doubting, in all sincerity, that anybody would “come for me”:
• Democrats not averse to sneaking, peeking
What is it with people like Diane Greenholdt?
Anybody who paid any attention at all knows that the aircraft that President Bush went out to the Abraham Lincoln in was not a fighter. He took the controls for a while on the way out, but did not land the aircraft. This was widely reported. There was no faking. Why do you find it necessary to lie?
The crew of the Abraham Lincoln put the “mission accomplished” banner up.That was in reference to their mission - which was accomplished. That was not phony. Why do you find it necessary to lie?
As for the delay in revealing the foiled attack in Los Angeles in 2002, think about it. If you were not a Democrat, you would want to protect your successful methods and sources. It would only make sense to keep it quiet for a while.
When a Democrat president (Carter) issues an executive order for warrantless wiretaps, there wasn’t a peep. When a Democrat president (Clinton) issues an executive order to engage in warrantless sneak-and-peek searches, there wasn’t a peep. When a Democratic administration (Clinton) violates the rights of nearly 1,000 Republicans by illegally getting their FBI background files, there wasn’t a peep. When Democratic Party operatives were found to be illegally monitoring and illegally taping Republicans’ cell phone calls, there wasn’t a peep.
One does wonder just how large the scope of this sleazy domestic spying was. Notice that Janet Reno, faced with the FBI files and the domestic spying, which were for political gain only, did nothing.
Today President Bush is trying to keep the country safe by trying to intercept terrorist communications, not for political gain. There is a whole lot of peeping going on
Steve Sullivan, Springfield
What is it with people like Steve Sullivan?
While I’m reasonably certain he would self-identify as a conservative Republican, I contend he certainly is not. It is definitely not conservative to blindly follow government policy – regardless of political party. And it is anything but commendable to reflexively apologize for any action the administration takes, or doesn’t take, especially when one would be the first to condemn similar behavior on the part of the previous administration.
When Diane Greenholdt, or any conscientious citizen, questions the official story behind a tragic event, she is hypothesizing. By definition, that hardly constitutes lying, but speculating on the basis of well-substantiated suspicion. Furthermore, by accepting and defending the party line, whatever convolution that requires, Mr. Sullivan demonstrates what he actually is – an authoritarian. So be it, but be warned: after they have come for me, for Ms. Greenholdt, and for all the other liberals for whom he has the utmost contempt, they will not hesitate to take him next, loyalty nothwithstanding. Useful tools eventually outlive their usefulness.
And lest he be tempted to admonish me for getting my panties in a bunch, I don’t wear any.