Unpatriotic Conservatives: A war against America. (A refresher course is called for)

National Review ^ | April 7, 2003 | David Frum

[quidnunc]

"I respect and admire the French, who have been a far greater nation than we shall ever be, that is, if greatness means anything loftier than money and bombs." – Thomas Fleming, "Hard Right," March 13, 2003

From the very beginning of the War on Terror, there has been dissent, and as the war has proceeded to Iraq, the dissent has grown more radical and more vociferous. Perhaps that was to be expected. But here is what never could have been: Some of the leading figures in this antiwar movement call themselves "conservatives."

These conservatives are relatively few in number, but their ambitions are large. They aspire to reinvent conservative ideology: to junk the 50-year-old conservative commitment to defend American interests and values throughout the world — the commitment that inspired the founding of this magazine — in favor of a fearful policy of ignoring threats and appeasing enemies.

And they are exerting influence. When Richard Perle appeared on Meet the Press on February 23 of this year, Tim Russert asked him, "Can you assure American viewers … that we're in this situation against Saddam Hussein and his removal for American security interests? And what would be the link in terms of Israel?" Perle rebutted the allegation. But what a grand victory for the antiwar conservatives that Russert felt he had to air it.

You may know the names of these antiwar conservatives. Some are famous: Patrick Buchanan and Robert Novak. Others are not: Llewellyn Rockwell, Samuel Francis, Thomas Fleming, Scott McConnell, Justin Raimondo, Joe Sobran, Charley Reese, Jude Wanniski, Eric Margolis, and Taki Theodoracopulos.

-snip-

[lancer]

LOL! I just thanked you (freepmail) for the link to this article. I had thought it would be good to post, but too old! Glad you did!

[Former Dodger]

Quidnunc fids another good post PING!

[Ex-Dem]

There're a few FReepers I can think of that this article describes to a T...

[Richard from IL]

I lost all respect for Tom Fleming when Chronicles, which he edits, published an article in 1998 by Pat Buchanan on the Civil War which was riddled with errors (about 50 of them). They declined to print a letter of mine criticizing the article, and I declined to renew my subscription.

[eno_]

If it was the right thing to do, I'd be the first to oppose the invasion of Iraq. In fact, there are many things wrong with the way we make war and structure our defense. But invading Iraq is not anywhere near the top of this list.

The "conservatives" like Pat Buchannan who oppose the war do it for all the wrong reasons, and are never there to speak up for properly declared wars proper authorization of a standing army. They have picked the wrong fight.

[Fred Nerks]

This one's for my friends in the US - there's nothing in the Australian experience to compare. I've never met an Aussie from either side of the fence who hated his own country. Even John Pilger, an Australian whom I despise, reserves his worst vitriol for the United States, which makes me think you guys must have something pretty good going for you over there, I mean, why else would a shrivelled up old alcoholic like him hate you so much?
Keep on doing whatever it is that is driving them crazy. If they hate the US enough they may all decide to leave, and go to Canada. (As long as they don't come here.)

[Soul Seeker]

Every movement has its extremists. The difference between ours and the Left's? We don't give them the reins of the Party. We slap them down when needed.

[DTogo]

Pat Buchannon just likes to hear himself talk, and if being a Bush critic gets him a microphone, so be it.

[expatpat]

"I respect and admire the French, who have been a far greater nation than we shall ever be

Sure, the land of the bloody Revolution, Dreyfus, collapses in 1870 and 1940, and the various King Louis is so very great.

[w6ai5q37b]

I guess it all depends on what your definition of "conservtive" is. I suppose if you want to conserve our Constitutional Republic, and among other things, insist that we only go to war when Congress declares it, and that we take heed of George Washington's dictum that we remain out of foreign entanglements, then you must not be "conservative" by National Review standards.

But considering that National Review William F. Buckley once admitted that he would be a "Mike Harrington socialist" or "even a Communist," it does not surprise me that the above was written in that neocon rag.

[austinmark]

Buchanan, Novak & reported others ARE the reason why Anti- Anxiety prescriptions are at an all time high.
They're the "Listen to me" types that always get their panty's in a bunch and hitch a ride on any View or Issue that's critical of (Neo)Conservatives. Perceived "inside" criticism is their only way to be Heard above others AND the MSM passes it off as "Credibility"

Thank God the Conservative Majority doesn't buy much of there Worn-out "Fear & Isolationism" bit.

Damn, Where is Ronald Reagan when we need him.........

[Teplukin]

. President Bush said we needed to go to war. President Bush's word is good enough for me, and it should be good enough for you.

Now pipe down, and stopy whining and complaining.

[Destro]

Why doesn't Frum go back to his own country of Canada if he doesn't like how we do things here.

[Alberta's Child]

I don't know why the author has such a problem with these "anti-war conservatives." The least he could do is concede that they had a damn good point -- considering this administration's formal acknowledgement that the "weapons of mass destruction" claim was just a lot of crap.

[rmlew]

But considering that National Review William F. Buckley once admitted that he would be a "Mike Harrington socialist" or "even a Communist," it does not surprise me that the above was written in that neocon rag.
Please cite.

[Finalapproach29er]

Chutzpah. Mr Frum.

Neo-cons are making 'lists',now? Questioning others patriotism?

From historical experience you know better, Mr. Canuck. A despicable tactic used by desparate people.

Maybe your gang should concentrate on taking out the burned- out-Jordanian high-school dropout who is killing so many of America's best men and women.

Stop attacking citizens who won't prostrate themselves at your gang's feet to praise you, and your perverted view of conservatism.

[quidnunc]

Alberta's Child wrote: I don't know why the author has such a problem with these "anti-war conservatives." The least he could do is concede that they had a damn good point -- considering this administration's formal acknowledgement that the "weapons of mass destruction" claim was just a lot of crap.

You haven't been paying attention.

Though Saddam either destroyed his stockpiles or shipped them to places like Syria, he kept his programs in place so that he could start them up on very short notice once the sanctions were lifted.

But he didn't tell anybody outside his top circle of cronies.

Even field generals in the Iraqi army believed that chemical weapons existed.

And every intelligence agency in the West believed that Iraq contained stockpiles of WMD.

[New Orleans Slim]

"President Bush said we needed to go to war. President Bush's word is good enough for me, and it should be good enough for you."

Never fully trust any politician. It's not cnservative, and it is unAmerican.

Having said that, I can't find a single thing conservative about Pat Buchanan. He's against free markets and might as well be a socialist on labor issues.