Victor Davis Hanson: A Country Unhinged

Private Papers ^ | November 15, 2012 | Victor Davis Hanson

[2ndDivisionVet]

In the last week, it is almost as if the entire American moral landscape has been turned upside down in eerie fashion — in matters that vastly transcend fornication and adultery. The Petraeus-gate matter is the stuff of tabloids now; but soon the real issues relating to when and what Eric Holder knew, and by extension the president, and how exactly Benghazi (the crime of indifference to the besieged, the cover-up of the truth, the actual mission of our consulate and annex) fits into this labyrinth of deceit, both petty and fundamental, may overshadow the present sensationalism.

Nothing seems real anymore, not pre-election federal data on jobs or food stamps or the release of such “facts”; not foreign-policy information like an Iranian attack on a drone; not the supposedly competent federal relief in response to Hurricane Sandy. Even Saddam Hussein’s plebiscites could not achieve margins like the 19,605 to 0 we saw in 59 Philadelphia precincts. Does anyone care?

Susan Rice, who flat out deceived five times in a single day on national TV, is supposedly seriously being considered as Secretary of State when Ms. Clinton leaves — the latter now plans to be “busy” when hearings on Libya resume. (If a John Bolton cannot be confirmed as a UN ambassador, how could Rice avoid a filibuster?) How can anyone now read Broadwell’s book and assume the research and analysis are disinterested?(continued)

[central_va]

Now you know what Southerners felt like in 1850’s watching Yankees slowly take power and destroy liberty.

[Fester Chugabrew]

We’re in something of a bubble. No need to fear. Cheaters and diabolical forces will get what is coming.

[Pelham]

“Don’t know why, but I think that if Israel suffered a Nuclear attack the Pretender In Chief would just let it happen.”

I think you feel that way because he gives you reason to do so.

[SCalGal]

In many respects we are seeing the begining of the end of the Western world. A great darkness will soon cover the globe. In 100 years I suspect civilization as we know it will be long gone.

A friend calls it "The Endarkenment".

[CapnJack]

“We will, as a country, wise up and eventually just say “No more” — right?”

No. Some people will do just that, just not a majority.

We are now an a-morilistic society ... it didn't happen over night, but this last election confirmed it.
Now you will see explicit examples of the decline of American values and the rise of true debauchery of the American people in the months and years ahead.

Just like colonel whats-his-face said to John Rambo ... “It's over Johnny” ... and it ain't coming back.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

"3) 0bama turned his back on 41 State Dept. and CIA employees"

This is another fact which should be loudly broadcast. It is truly a tragedy that four brave souls lost their lives, but if not for their bravery we might have had 41 dead or kidnapped Americans.

[tumblindice]

“honorary consul general”

Mark Steyn:
“Mrs. Kelley is not a “consul general.” She is to accredited diplomats as our old chum Dr. Michael Mann is to Nobel laureates. She was apparently given a certificate by CentCom as an “honorary ambassador” — the sort of baloney the U.S. government does far too much of. Hence, the present absurdity:

On the one hand, a real ambassador at a real consulate under siege calls Washington for help and gets crickets chirping.”

`Honorary consul general’ sounds better than “courtesan”. This is corruption, decadence and shamelessness on stilts.

[prof.h.mandingo]

I honestly don't believe the radical left are my countrymen. They inhabit the same physical area but they are not my countrymen.
They are the enemy. Nothing more but nothing less.
As an historian I like to point out why there was some harmony in America after the revolution. Note some, not total harmony. Era of Good Feeling. After we beat the British we made most of the Tories leave. We didn't sit around and embrace and sing Kumbaya or something. We shipped out thousands and stole their stuff.The ones that stayed “became” adjusted to the idea of being patriotic. Nice. Needs to happen again if a liberal has anything worth keeping after they are dead or forced to leave the U.S.

[henkster]

You are absolutely correct.

[Verginius Rufus]

For a filibuster to stop Susan Rice most of the Republicans would have to stand firm...hard to imagine them doing that in the face of the inevitable accusations of racism.

[AZLiberty]

Holder and Obama: Implausible deniability.

[hulagirl]

The POTUS is sure quick to order cross border kills (drones) but not cross border saves.

[jivin gene]

We are fast approaching the point where we run out of stuff to give the parasites. And, the parasites are fast approaching the point where they outnumber us - the hosts. As in Biology 101, when the parasites outnumber the hosts, they will begin to eat the hosts. When the hosts are gone, the parasites will begin to eat each other. One consolation - we will be the first to go. This is not an attempt at levity.

[7thson]

You are so full of it. Don’t give me that crap about Southern liberty when the south was keeping millions in slavery!

[thecodont]

And, the parasites are fast approaching the point where they outnumber us - the hosts.

It's not even a question of numbers. Personal experience has shown me that if a person has a certain skin color, they are perceived by people of another skin color as being a "have" (regardless of their own personal circumstances) and are therefore seen as "owing" the second group (who designate themselves "the have nots") something.

[MestaMachine]

Nothing seems real. I can vouch for that. Feel the same way myself.

Anyone wanting on or off this ping list, please advise.

Benghazi Index

[2ndDivisionVet]

I ofttimes wonder how things would be different had President Lincoln lived through his second term.

[Graewoulf]

Three questions for Benghazi-Coward Obama:

1.) Are you HIDING INFORMATION from the US Congress about the Benghazi Massacre?

2.) Have you been LYING to the US Congress, The Media, or the American Public about the Benghazi Massacre?

3.) Were you, as Commander in Chief, GROSSLY NEGLIGENT about your responsibilities to protect and assist those four Americans who subsequently were murdered in the Benghazi Massacre?

BTW, the large cap words were the same as the 3 charges handed down yesterday to BP for punishment of their Gulf of Mexico underwater blowout, a while back.

Since the US Government is going to hold a company accountable for their poor decisions, then it should hold its CIC accountable his poor decisions, AND use the same legal charges.

[TigersEye]

Yes, he is. Drone strikes by the dozen in Pakistan without their permission. Drone strikes in Yemen. A major assault on the ground in a residential neighborhood to get bin Laden.

[Drew68]

The election has left me very sad, in part because I believe the answer to your question is now "no."

I feel the same way. I look at every post I've made here since the election and I see they've almost all been cynical, dripping with sarcasm and contempt. Truth is, I just can't process how we lost this one. It isn't like '96 when we fielded a lousy candidate against Clinton enjoying a gangbuster economy. In this case, we fielded a decent, competent man against one of the worst economies ever and still had our asses handed to us.

I just feel that demographics have finally turned against us. Run a moderate and we lose the base. Run a conservative and we lose the middle. Either way, we lose. We've lost every demographic short of white males over 30 and married white females. This just can't cut it anymore. Nobody seems to be buying what we're selling and we'll never be able to compete against Santa Claus.

I find solace in the fact that I'm employed, have a great wife and beautiful kids. I think that from here on out, I'm just going to stand on the sidelines and watch it all crumble, making sure I look after me and mine.