The Richmond Times Dispatch published my latest letter today:

It is ironic that some of the loudest calls for a U.S. attack on Iraq are not coming from within our own government but from Israel. Even though they would be a likely first target of a desperate counterattack by Saddam Hussein, Israelis understand the threat posed by dictators who do not let their people live in freedom.

Because of the philosophy of multiculturalism, there are many who feel America’s interests are at stake only if we are first met with a devastating offensive attack. Since multiculturalism teaches that all nations and cultures are equal, these opponents say that we should not make judgments about the intentions of maniacal dictators. Rather, we should get approval from those who hate America and its freedoms, such as the U.N.

This moral relativism persists in light of the evidence that not all cultures are moral equivalents: The civilized nation of Israel transformed a Middle Eastern desert into an oasis of freedom and technology, while oppressive monarchies like Saudi Arabia use oilfields stolen from the West to finance hatred for the U.S.

While he is leading this war to preserve America, let us hope that President Bush follows the example of the rational thinking coming from Israel, and not the irrational philosophy of the multiculturalists.

It's so rare when a member of Congress takes a rational moral stand. This is one of the best speeches by a government official that I've heard or read in a long time. For now, at least, Tom Delay actually seems to "get it" when it comes to foreign policy...you just have to ignore his typically Republican stances (like the foundation of America resting on the belief in God).

The Imperative for Action

"The U.S. State Department would do well to remember that it answers to the President of the United States, not the European Union."

"The nations across the Atlantic, countries with ample experience in the perils of appeasement are unwilling or unable to summon the resolve to confront gathering evil.
These countries reflexively oppose any exercise of American power unless it`s summoned to liberate the besieged capitals of a vanquished Europe.
Europe stands paralyzed because European leaders seem unable to grasp a very fundamental principle: There’s no moral equivalence between those defending freedom and the terrorists and tyrants who seek to deny it--first to their own people, later to others."

"Toppling Saddam would, they say, 'seriously jeopardize, if not destroy, the global counterterrorist campaign we have undertaken.'
Ladies and gentlemen, these critics are dead wrong.
Removing Saddam from power and liberating the Iraqi people would do more to advance the war against terror than any step we’ve taken yet.
Removing Saddam would send a clear and unambiguous signal to every other state sponsor of terror: 'Shape up, because the price of subsidizing terror is now more than you can afford.' "

Reparations buffoons on the Washington Mall by David Horowitz

Read my latest letters-to-the-editor (alas, unpublished thus far):

Keep the Forests Private - The Richmond Times Dispatch

Profiling the Producers - Newsweek

Dubya as dream Democrat by Martin Sieff

"Is George W. Bush the best Democratic president we have seen since Jimmy Carter? Consider the evidence."

Robert Novak: Did the Clinton administration deceive the public about the state of the economy? (What?! Clinton and deceit? I won't believe it!)

Sunny Clinton forecast leaves cloud over Bush

Brace yourself - government intervention in airport security is not having the intended consequences. Shocking, I know.

Airlines, airports fault U.S. on security

Some good tips from Wendy McElroy on communicating and listening/observing:
Practicing 'intellectual virtue'

"Intellectual simplicity means using ideas and language as tools of communication, not of social status. Be simple and direct about your beliefs and your language. Don't "dumb down" your conversation or lose the subtlety but also don't try to become part of the intellectual elite, complete with buzz words and tangents into German philosophy."