Pessimistic Liberalism

Wall Street Journal ^ | Apr 16, 2003 | Editorial

[The Raven]

With the Pentagon declaring the end of "major combat" in Iraq, most Americans are responding with relief and pride. Our troops have performed with skill, courage and even honorable restraint in deposing a dictator half a world away in less than a month. The puzzle is why some Americans, especially media and liberal elites, continue to wallow in pessimism about this liberation.

[The Raven]

This whole deal also smells of James Carville (ala Bush I). The echo chamber is a good analogy but who whispers the first thought? My bet is Carville. He taps into the world liberal thought (France, Germany) or maybe gets them going too. Then he gets his propoganda faxes off to Daschle, the DNC, the NY TImes, et al and there you have it. The alternative to a "think tank" is that all these liberals spontaneously think the same thing - sort of like everybody on the Free Republic posting the same words on a thread.

But- this tactic of leading the liberal sheep in opinion is anti-American as you can get, especially since it's designed not for the purpose at hand, but to win the next election by bringing down the current President.

Well, thankfully most of it backfired and "normal" people shake their heads. Unthankfully, they planted a seed.

[Support Free Republic]

---

God Bless This Great Country!
	Donate Here By Secure Server Or mail checks to FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794 or you can use PayPal at Jimrob@psnw.com
STOP BY AND BUMP THE FUNDRAISER THREAD- It is in the breaking news sidebar!

[nopardons]

BTT

[KC_Conspirator]

What is it that liberals find so dismaying about the prospect of American success?

Because the democrats have gone so far left that they have postioned themselves to win politically against George Bush only if America fails. Not a winning strategy.

[cajungirl]

Ah,,how the WSJ always hits the nail on the head. It is interesting that the liberals distrust and hate the idea of american power abroad as he alluded to in talking about only taking action if our interests weren't involved and we were sort of being minded by the UN But,,and this is a big one,,they love government power domestically and would drown us in regulation, law, government program, etc. It is a strange dichotomy. They are sort of world libertarians and domestic fascists. I think they are schizophrenic. And now as they watch Iraq, they think they are hallucinating,,as Martha says, that is a good thing.

[jporcus]

GREAT ARTICLE. As far as why the left will not celebrate the great victory of this war effort, it all boils down to three words: they hate Bush. And they can't stand that Bush has done more in lifting the spirits of this country than Clinton+Carter ever did or could. (And while Carter was a total failure, at least he didn't stain the White House carpet.) But I guess I'd also be incredibly frustrated if all I could look up to were Clinton and Carter.

[cajungirl]

That is one element, the politics. I think the smug moral vanity is the biggest one with the fear of a powerful government abroad fueling it. These people are moral zealots, they think they know how everything is, the are certain of their superiority over the great unwashed. And GWB is the emblematic unwashed to them,,he left the east coast and returned to texas, he married a woman who combs her hair and likes men, he rejected their world and their ideas. He is patriotic and patriotism is a dirty word to them and that is their ultimate cynicism.

[The Raven]

>>the are certain of their superiority over the great unwashed

Thanks for the morning chuckle!!!

[patj]

He is patriotic and patriotism is a dirty word to them and that is their ultimate cynicism.

I agree. The liberals have the attitude expressed by; "how dare he look down on us". These rats are cornered and thus at their snarling worse and, ala the French, are trying to remain relevant.

[dawn53]

Bill Krystol during a FoxNews panel discussion had it right. He said:

"The liberals hate Bush more than they love America."

Thus the need for the Bush administration and anything it attempts to be cast in a negative light.

[knuthom]

who whispers the first thought?

They didn't need Carville or anyone else to suggest the negativity we have seen. To liberals it is as natural and spontaeous as breathing.

[fporretto]

There's much insight here, and the citation of Sowell's thesis is particularly relevant. But I must dispute one point. The "Arab street" is indeed enraged at us -- for striking a weapon out of their hands. If they didn't fear us so, there might be unpleasant consequences. But with Dubya in the saddle and a lot of big American guns in the neighborhood, their behavior will be moderate at least for the time being. Note the conciliatory noises coming from Syria, for starters.

This is only one of the benefits of having a president whose values are sound and who can be counted on to do what he's said he'll do. Oderint Dum Metuant!

Freedom, Wealth, and Peace,
Francis W. Porretto
Visit The Palace Of Reason:
http://palaceofreason.com

[Nick Danger]

Looking for vindication, these voices may too quickly look for reasons to call every mistake or difficulty a disaster

Gee, ya think so? Isn't this what they did every single day during the war? It's just been one quagmire and setback after another with these people, even as the troops marched right into Baghdad.

[The G Man]

""The liberals hate Bush more than they love America."

BINGO!!! No more calls .... we have a winner!!

[driftless]

Libs and leftists simply can't stand the idea that the "idiot in the White House" outsmarted them again as he has done repeatedly since gaining office. Being outwitted by someone they have so much contempt for makes them come to the awful conclusion that maybe they aren't nearly as smart as they think they are. This terrible conclusion is something they just can't face without contemplating suicide. So they simply move on to the next topic where they will get their posteriors handed to them again. Another thing about most liberals, Andy Rooney and a few others aside, they never learn from their mistakes.

[KC_Conspirator]

Bill Krystol during a FoxNews panel discussion had it right. He said:

"The liberals hate Bush more than they love America."

That is exactly right. For the ultra leftist, like those in academia, they hate both Bush and America.

[LocalYokel]

Nomination for Nail on Head Award 2003

But- this tactic of leading the liberal sheep in opinion is anti-American as you can get, especially since it's designed not for the purpose at hand, but to win the next election by bringing down the current President.

They’ll do anything, say anything to get elected. Hillary is their dream candidate. ‘nuff said.

 

It seems their current terror is that everyone recognized Information Minister Saeed al-Sahaf as a clone of Terry McAuliffe. I was certainly scratching my head thinking, "Now why does this sound so familiar?" This may explain his current demise: Iraqi refugees: Al-Sahaf committed suicide Obviously done in by a DNC hit squad to avoid the soon to be released freeper photoshoping and face morphing jokes. They’re still smarting from the "Sore Loserman" web art crisis of 2000.

[The Raven]

>>outsmarted them again

I don't think Bush is outsmarting them....he's acting like a normal person....and they don't understand. They are the dummies.