> >A lack of skepticism toward one's own motives is > the> >sure fire sign of a romantic.
> That's great! Pure gold in words. Can I quote ya? Sure. It's all part of the notions at: http://www.davidbrin.com/tolkienarticle1.html Anyone who doubts my "balance" should hear me talk about the Naderites and reflexive lefty ideologues, some time. They are exactly the same as the neocons... romantics who want a divided country rather than one united by pragmatism. I'll shortly post a "second salvo" that dissects the neoconservative movement in minute detail. Meanwhile, appended below is raw text of an addendum to the 1st salvo, followed by the root HTML so you can find the links: - Web sites for the undecided... or concerned conservatives: Beyond Pat Buchanan (cited below), many notable conservatives have stood up to disown the weird and divisive clique presently operating our US Government without check or balance. Some of the following articles, by or about well-respected conservatives - who also happen to be worried adults - may shed some light. A former special assistant to Ronald Reagan and Heritage Foundation Fellow ponders real conservatism. John Eisenhower re: fiscal irresponsibility. William F. Buckley re: an irresponsible war based on deceit. Core conservative establishment figure George Will, Representative Henry Hyde, GOP lobbyist Stephen Moore and conservative commentator Tucker Carlson have all joined the tide, turing away from bizarre neocons bent on repeating Vietnam. See a Libertarian's perspective. Also worth a look: administration predictions about Iraq vs real events. A relatively neutral fact check organization compares rhetoric to truth. And some cogent words from the other side. One of many examples that being rich doesn't have to make you an ally of rip-off artistes. Many in the American 'aristocracy" support an open, accountable and responsible civilization. Even if it means stepping forward, helping pay for defend it... while other sons do the fighting. And see just one way both liberals and conservatives could come together... an example of how freedom can march ahead in smart, agile and more judo-like ways, instead of using blugeons and repeating every mistake of Vietnam. ---------------- Other Indictments: "Tax and Spend" ...um... DEMOCRATS? Under Clinton, Federal spending as a percentage of GDP declined every year for eight years, from 22.1% in 1992 to 18.4% in 2000. That's every... single...year. Federal % of GDP increased every year under Bush. Every... single...year. Now over 20% and rising. (See White House site.) Federal spending increased over 30% with only 1/4 of that related to military and "homeland defense". "Pork" has burgeoned. If these figures cause cognitive dissonance don't turn away. Be grownup about reconsidering old cliches. ========================= <b>Web sites for the undecided... or concerned conservatives:</b><p> Beyond Pat Buchanan (cited below), many notable conservatives have stood up to disown the weird and divisive clique presently operating our US Government without check or balance. Some of the following articles, by or about well-respected conservatives - who also happen to be worried adults - may shed some light.<p> A former special assistant to Ronald Reagan and Heritage Foundation Fellow ponders <u><a HREF="#http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2004/09/10/conservatives/print.html";>real conservatism.</a></u><p> <u><a HREF="#http://www.theunionleader.com/articles_showa.html?article=44657";>John Eisenhower</a></u> re: fiscal irresponsibility.<p> <u><a HREF="#http://www.hillnews.com/marshall/063004.aspx";>William F. Buckley</a></u> re: an irresponsible war based on deceit.<p> Core conservative establishment figure <b>George Will,</b> Representative <b>Henry Hyde</b>, GOP lobbyist <b>Stephen Moore</b> and conservative commentator <b>Tucker Carlson</b> have all <a HREF="#http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/10/books/review/10FOERL.html";>joined the tide</a>, turing away from bizarre neocons bent on repeating Vietnam. <p> See a <a HREF="#http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/news_flankingaction.html";>Libertarian's perspective</a>. <br> <br> <b>Also worth a look: </b> administration <a HREF="#">predictions about Iraq</a> vs real events. <p> A relatively neutral <u><a HREF="#http://www.publicintegrity.org/";>fact check</a></u> organization compares rhetoric to truth. <p> And some <u><a HREF="#http://www.georgesoros.com/";>cogent words from the other side.</a></u> One of many examples that being rich doesn't have to make you an ally of rip-off artistes. Many in the American 'aristocracy" support an open, accountable and responsible civilization. Even if it means stepping forward, helping pay for defend it... while other sons do the fighting.<p> And see just one way both liberals and conservatives could come together... an example of how <a HREF="#www.witness.org">freedom can march ahead</a> in smart, agile and more judo-like ways, instead of using blugeons and repeating every mistake of Vietnam. _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
