Thursday, June 16, 2005
Greatest NYT letter to the editor, ever
I'm fairly agnostic about the war in Iraq, generally (unnecessary to begin, but necessary now to end correctly. But this is NYT letter to the editor has one of the best zingers I've ever seen, as it mocks both the NYT's (and mass media in general) fascination with movement politics (and particular with the young conservative movement--we've in recent months read about the Liberty Institute, wherever "Jeff Gannon went, the "academic bill of rights" and conservatives at Ivy League schools) as well as the soft underbelly of war-mongers of all political stripes- they wouldn't serve (see, Cheney, Dick; Bolton, John; Lieberman, Joseph, et al.). Seriously, now that I write it down, what is it with the Times and campus conservatives? Anyway, the zinger is highlighted. And regardless of whether you think it's a zinger, it's a great letter.
Published: June 17, 2005
To the Editor:
Re "Next Generation of Conservatives (by the Dormful)" (front page, June 14):
The young conservatives mentioned in your article could find another form of employment that is more useful and more honorable than rooting out excesses in the Park Service.
Given the Army's difficulties of retaining combat veteran junior officers (of whom I was one), these young, physically fit and intelligent men and women could both learn valuable leadership lessons and help stem the damage to the Army caused by President Bush's war in Iraq.
I know from experience that a summer in Falluja or Ramadi will better prepare them for careers as drug industry lobbyists than any conservative hothouse.
I trust that it's not too much to ask that our young conservative elites actually serve in the war they support so much.
Rich Smith
Published: June 17, 2005
To the Editor:
Re "Next Generation of Conservatives (by the Dormful)" (front page, June 14):
The young conservatives mentioned in your article could find another form of employment that is more useful and more honorable than rooting out excesses in the Park Service.
Given the Army's difficulties of retaining combat veteran junior officers (of whom I was one), these young, physically fit and intelligent men and women could both learn valuable leadership lessons and help stem the damage to the Army caused by President Bush's war in Iraq.
I know from experience that a summer in Falluja or Ramadi will better prepare them for careers as drug industry lobbyists than any conservative hothouse.
I trust that it's not too much to ask that our young conservative elites actually serve in the war they support so much.
Rich Smith
