Stripes LTTE: Dismiss Coulter's discourse/Plight of true conservative

[lebkuchen]

Both are outstanding reads on Coulter and the ultra-right. These guys are angry, and, unlike Coulter, they can write. Are there others within the Stars & Stripes community who feel the same way? Yes, and you'll find their letters here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/12/18/45138/421


Dismiss Coulter’s discourse

I had to laugh when I read the recent response in favor of Ann Coulter (“Coulter hits nail on head,” http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=37477 letter, May 27). Coincidentally, across the op-ed pages was the typically lead-footed cartoon “State of the Union,” wherein drivers of the hybrid vehicle Prius are portrayed as snobs. Aside from defending Coulter, the letter writer decries the stereotyping of conservatives while he and his political coach, Carl Moore, feel free to label liberals as tree-hugging, effeminate snobs. Hypocrisy appears to be a hallmark of the most vocal conservatives.

In Coulter’s May 29 column (“Attack on McCain at New School cowardly”), she resorts to her typically unsubstantiated statistics when she claims that 99 percent of all university professors are flaming liberals. From there, she proceeds to make the circuitous connection between an extreme student and the entire liberal population. Granted, it just wouldn’t be a Coulter column without some gratuitous attack on liberals, even when the relationship is paper-thin, like her logic. This garbage belongs in a serious newspaper?

I find it disheartening that the need for infotainment trumps information and that the popular formula of Fox News has been adopted by the print media as well. Especially galling is the aforementioned Coulter. She has come under fire from both the left and right for sketchy facts, disingenuous conjecture and flat-out mean-spirited attacks on all who disagree. There are scores of thoughtful conservative columnists, who use intelligence and honesty to persuade — opposed to half-truths, distortions, personal attacks and vitriolic rhetoric. Coulter chooses not to inform, but to attack; throwing gas cans on the raging funeral pyre for intelligent political discourse.

I realize Coulter generates buzz, even in a negative way, but perhaps Stars and Stripes could show some real courage and take a step out of the muck.

Steve Ricciutti
Zushi, Japan


Plight of true conservatives

Being a true conservative is not easy, especially when witnessing my party being ripped away by the mindless, blinded partisan robots (such as Ann Coulter) who side with everything opposite of true conservative ideology and by the ultra-religious faction, which desires nothing more than bigger government to monitor behavior they find immoral in order to revert back to the same church state in which we fled. Where are the true conservatives, and why do they not segregate themselves from the likes just outlined?

True conservative ideology holds that small government (the government that governs less governs best) and fiscal responsibility is the only way to manage government. Unfortunately a conservative movement is nonexistent even with a Republican-controlled legislature and executive branch.

Since the Republican party has seized ultimate power, we have witnessed the largest growth of government at the expense of individual rights, coupled with a debt that entices me to set up residency in another country. (Face it, there is no paying down this bad boy without scratching every social program, infrastructure project and any other element affecting our standard of living unless we continue to sell vital U.S. assets). Will our children forgive us for this irresponsibility when they shoulder the debt, or do we care, since the only remedy offered is empty lip service and pointless political posturing? Let us not omit the corruption that is taking place and how our leaders, especially GOP leaders, are lying in bed with special interests.

No, it is not easy being a true conservative, especially when witnessing the few that still reside within the Republican Party standing aside, not willing to contest those destroying our nation and my party.

Steve Galant
Balad, Iraq


http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=125&article=37663

At the URL above is also a letter in support of Coulter, written by a Marine Lt Col, who no doubt applauds Coulter's statement on Iraq that "we should invade their countries, kill their leaders and convert them to Christianity," since that is just what they have done--or are attempting to do, anyway. Unfortunately, the Marines appear to have ratcheted up "killing leaders" several miles, but hey, in the Christian right's mind, God will sort them all out in heaven. As for the "personal responsibility and accountability" the COL applauds, I'm not yet seeing those traits displayed by the Marines re: Haditha, not at all.