Commie Cockburn Finally Writes About Bush; You're All Crass, Swaab; MUGGERball; Taki Gets 'Em Off; More Drudgery; More
After three decades of sniping from the bleacher seats, Alexander Cockburn, in "The Incredible Shrinking President," illustrates Red Barber's priceless adage: "the fans always play the game better than the players" ("Wild Justice," 6/19). And like those catcalls from the stands, Cockburn's "critique" of President Bush is little more than ridicule and name-calling. Grasp of world affairs? Reading Cockburn, I'm reminded of Orwell's disdain for those who neither understood, nor ever hoped to occupy, positions of power. Laughingstock? Yes, for aging countercultural reactionaries, the response to people like Bush will always be the same adolescent sneering and posing?in place of tangible accomplishment or contribution?we've gotten from them since the 60s. But for grins, nothing beats a columnist so consistently, and for so long, on the wrong side of almost everything, offering up such a cranky rant as insight. Fortunately, like those beer-addled bleacher bums, Cockburn's fulminations will have no impact on the game's outcome.
Joseph Fulvio, Philadelphia
About Time
Finally! What cave has Alexander Cockburn been hiding in? He's been squandering far too much time in skewing Al Gore?guess he had to promote his book and all?it's about time he showed some spirit in hammering away at the nincompoop who is sitting in the White House.
The press has given the witless goon a free ride?and with the press corps coming to heel at the merest mention of the magic word "terror," it's even easier for the cabal of zealots who call themselves the Cabinet to operate the country as little more than a subsidiary of their various corporate interests in oil and pharmaceuticals.
Why is the press so timid? Why isn't Cockburn howling at the outrages that issue every day from Washington, from the blatant attacks on civil liberties to the Republican looting of the U.S. Treasury? Why has it taken old Alexander so long to finally sink his teeth into W? Is he getting lazy and old? Or is there just too much material for one guy to write about? No matter, it's good to see Cockburn going after the dodo. Keep up the good work.
Aaron Spiegel, Manhattan
Alexander Slowburn
Alexander Cockburn's always good for a laugh. About as far out there as they get. Assuming he had the intelligence to judge in the first place, it does seem rather odd that a third-rate communist hack from a backwater country would be in a position to know whereof he spoke. I am so thoroughly pleased that the leader of the world manages to put Cockburn in such a complete snit. Keep the humor coming and ready the rubber room for W's second stay in office. Stupid is as stupid does, my momma used to say. And boy, Cockburn does.
Ray Evans, Dallas
Alexander Cockburn replies: All this shows is that W's supporters deserve him and vice versa. My only regret about the recent Supreme Court ban on executing imbeciles is that it removes forever even the remote possibility that Bush might land on Death Row. Maybe it's apocryphal, but I'm told that some years ago Bush attended a performance by the world's leading blind pianist. "It wouldn't matter to him if he wasn't blind," he told Laura after the performance was over. "Why's that?" she asked. "Well, I kept a close eye on him all evening and he never looks at the piano anyhow." My admiration for the First Lady grows each day, as she steers her mate through each trying hour. The best thing, by far, about W is Laura, and she deserves her nation's thanks.
Crass Act
RE Neil Swaab's "Rehabilitating Mr. Wiggles." Why be witty when you can just be crass?
David Foster, Yonkers
Matt Trudge
MUGGER: I hope Matt Drudge comes to his senses soon (6/12). In the meantime, you should get NewsMax to link you. Drudge cut them off a year or two ago. Good luck from a regular reader.
Tom Murray, Manteca, CA
Get Over It, Matt
If this cyberidiot didn't have "Slackjaw" on his quick hit list, he would never have learned why New York Press suddenly vanished from his radar, MUGGERed by a two-bit blogger ("MUGGER," 6/12). Well, Matt Drudge deserves to be remembered as a petty sycophant who made "bearing a Drudge" a term of permanent scorn.
Patrick D. Hazard, Weimar, Germany
Lovin' the Signo
MIKE Signorile: I wanted to tell you how much I like your writing. Always look forward to reading you. Your column, "I Want an Apology Too" ("The Gist," 6/12) was wonderful.
Allan Knee, Manhattan
God Bless
Mike Signorile: I read your piece, and am willing to help you and give you a clue ("The Gist," 6/19). As Lincoln and Hume both espoused, the government is founded largely on public opinion. Without public support, not much goes through. The reason the American people want Ashcroft to do his job is because they know that what he wants to do is a pretty good step toward preempting terrorists. It's not because he has scared them (us) into it. You won't agree with this, obviously, but I find that when the chips are really down, common-sense and caution wins out over liberal complacency. And it will always be this way. Sorry.
By the way, why do I get the feeling?and this is only an instinct on my part, admittedly?that the ACLU and the like are, in fact, very much anti-American. They also are attention-hoggers. I really do not think it's about standing up for civil liberties. If it were, that'd at least be admirable. It's really about, "Look at me standing up for the 'underdog'! I'm so righteous and compassionate!" By the way, I think you are also anti-U.S., judging from the titles of some of the dreck I saw your site. But that's okay. It's a great country that lets you live here and enjoy its freedoms even though you hate it. The greatest country, in fact.
Matthew Torrence, Norristown, PA
How Big of You
Michelangelo Signorile: It seems like everyone is looking for apologies ("The Gist," 6/12). I suppose one might even wonder when gays will apologize for their complicity in the spread of AIDS, and the tremendous damage they have done to the Catholic Church. Personally, I'll continue to concentrate on my own faults, confess my sins and pray for others.
Ray Martin, Ridgefield, CT
And We're Worth the Extra Click
TAKI: I, too, hope that Matt Drudge posts you and MUGGER again ("Top Drawer," 6/19)?it makes things a bit more convenient for me to link to the Press. But I enjoy you all so much, I have bookmarked New York Press and with an extra click can find you all right. So, if Drudge maintains his incomprehensible snit, it will not much deter those of us who seek out your work every week.
Ernest E. Shaffer, Keller, TX
Letter of the Week
TAKI: You have given me minor orgasms, the first in many a year I might add for those who really care, in announcing that Taki, as well as many of those whose writing I admire, will soon have their own magazine ("Top Drawer," 6/19). I would hope that you continue to write columns for this fine paper, which has become an institution in our home. The two of us in the extended Southern family who actually read enjoy the paper, and its weekly publication does not put too great a strain on our lips. Many of the other family members who can't read enjoy having the stories read to them and gather, dancing around the tube, when I pull the paper up! Some of them, the older aunts and uncles, seem almost to remember all the way to the end of the piece! The younger, 12 to 20, say, have the normal problems brought about by rickets and pellagra, attention deficit disorder. Drugs help...if any of your crowd care to donate. Anyway, things are swell down in Pogo Land.
A.H. Watson, Holden Beach, NC
You Do Have that Arch
I love New York Press, the array of perspectives revealed by your contributors and, especially, MUGGER. You crank out the quality every week. I wish we had a comparable paper here in St. Louis. Keep up the good work.
Biff LaTourette, St. Louis
Queer as a Straight Couple
RE Kate Walter's "The New Gay Couple" ("New York City," 6/19). If that baby dyke were really, as she describes herself, as mature as someone in their mid-30s, I think she might have realized that entering a long-term relationship with a lifelong gay man who has admitted in print that he doesn't enjoy having sex with her was not the brightest idea.
Bisexuals who are comfortable with their sexuality are one thing, but this guy sounds a hell of a lot more like one of those denial-ridden ex-gays. It wasn't really a bisexual thing, he says? Meaning that his 20-plus years as a gay man was just an experiment and now he's settled back into heterosexuality? His relationships with men are unappealing to him because they were too "objectifying," but luckily he doesn't "do that anymore"? Yeah, right. Because men have such good track records at 100 percent repressing their "objectifying" libidos. Dude, I'll buy you a coffee when I see you at Big Cup next week.
It bothers me that a gay man and a lesbian in 2002 can't just decide that they really like each other and want to have a baby together, while still being honest about their motivations and intentions. Why do we still have to lie to ourselves about reverting to picket-fence heterosexuality? Why go through the motions of having unenthusiastic sex with someone you're not attracted to? Why not just admit that you're good buddies entering into a different kind of partnership? I thought we had moved beyond that kind of self-delusion (sort of touching, but ultimately very sad).
My main reason for writing, however, is to give Tek some advice. If they ever have sex again, I really, really hope she uses condoms, because the love of her life fits the profile of one of those married guys you meet at truck stops or the Washington Square Park bathroom. It doesn't help matters that there's an anonymous sex bookstore about five minutes from Sacred Chow (as a, um, little birdie told me). Good luck.
Chris Thomas, Brooklyn
Metting of the Minds
MUGGER: I agree with your comments regarding Mo Vaughn possibly being washed-up (6/19) but I don't think that Scott Hatteberg replacing Mike Piazza behind the plate would help the Mets defensively. If I recall correctly, the Red Sox had to pick up Doug Mirabelli last year (after Jason Varitek was injured) because Hatteberg virtually couldn't throw anyone out. Hence, Scott is a DH/1B-man this year for the Oakland Athletics. Maybe I misread and you didn't mean that Hatteberg would catch, but if Piazza is at first base, where would Hatteberg play?
Thomas R. Hall, Brookline, NH
Russ Smith replies: I agree that Hatteberg had a low percentage of throwing out baserunners, but Piazza's futility in that category is heading for the record books. So, I'm still convinced the Mets would be better off with Hatteberg behind the plate, Piazza at first and a high-caliber free agent (instead of the washed-up Vaughn) who can actually hit.
It's Those Stretch Jeans
I've finally figured it out! After reading George Tabb's latest article ("Music," 6/19) I've come to the conclusion that like his friend out west, he's gay! He just pretends to hate women while really wanting to be one. It's that obvious. Oh, and by the way, who is writing the online "Billboards" under this moron's name? It can't be him, he doesn't have the brain cells.
Robert Yates, Manhattan
That's Terrifrying
Someone once said: "If it's too frightening to face, it's too dangerous to ignore." Just as President Bush's stumbling over words is "frightening" to some, his actions will not be ignored.
Marcus Pizzuti, Westminster,CA
In a Word: No
I was dismayed to see that Alexander Cockburn didn't respond to Russ Smith's accusation of anti-Semitism ("MUGGER," 6/5). In other publications, when a concern for justice for the Palestinians has been confused with anti-Semitism, Cockburn has corrected ignorant columnists or letter writers. Why not here as well? Or is New York Press too monolithic to allow criticism of the editor-in-chief/CEO?
NAME withheld, via e-mail
Russ Smith replies: Alex Cockburn doesn't need a toady to defend his opinions: Like all New York Press writers, Cockburn is free to criticize me, or anyone else, if he chooses.
Money Talks Like a Ventriloquist
MIKE: Boy, you're on the money, the American people are so dumb. Bush is a puppet for the rich. Thanks for your intelligence.
Jesse Fritsch, Menasha, Wi
Cold Piazza
MUGGER wrote, "But what ought to concern Mets fans much more is Piazza's incredibly selfish refusal to retire his catcher's mask and switch to another position where he'd not only extend his career but help the team by not being such a liability behind the plate."
Agreed. Piazza's intransigence can be explained only by a desire to protect and beef up his "Greatest Catcher Ever" offensive stats. No doubt he fears that if he moves to first base, he will no longer be seen as in the same class as Johnny Bench (as if!).
Jeffrey S. Erickson, Davidson, NC
There He Goes Again
I really do appreciate your newspaper, especially the cool interviews with the great bands that "Lovely" Lisa LeeKing and "Tough" Tanya Richardson do. I too am a huge fan of Detroit rock and know that scene very well as I grew up in the area. Then there is that "idiot" George Tabb. How dare he say "a barrel full of condoms that disappeared faster than a free line of cocaine at a glam-rock show" ("Music," 6/19). Where does Tabb get the balls to say something that stupid and untrue. Having been a "glam-rocker" since I was nine, I have never touched that or any other drugs. With one sentence he makes us look like drug addicts, and compares us to homosexuals. That's just plain gross! Please keep more by Lisa and Tanya and throw George Tabb away in a garbage can.
Daisy Glitter, Elizabeth, NJ
Bad Company
Michelangelo Signorile: It seems that John Ashcroft is from the school of thought that requires a person to be God "fearing," or in the present context, Attorney General "fearing" ("The Gist," 6/19). Once again, you've hit the nail on the head. Whenever the tough questions start to fly, the administration puts up one of its "enforcers" to scare the peasants back into line. These angry old men are used on a regular basis by the administration simply to put a stern "fatherlike" face on the "Don't make me stop this car" or "You don't want me to come in there" message that they feel they need to use against the insolent public. Well, if my father was like any of these thugs, I would have run away from home.
Ashcroft (anointed by Crisco, appointed by God) is trying to shape the laws of this country so that he can have himself a theocratic gulag in which it will be easier to control all of those heathens running around free on the streets. It's much better to be able to lock 'em up and then try to reeducate them.
Cheney, well, ol' Dick only wants to make sure that the executive branch maintains its place of power, where documents don't need to be provided, questions don't need to be answered and nobody (as long as they are Republican) needs to be held accountable.
Rumsfeld. Is he even alive, or was he built in some dark corner of Disney's audio animatronics lab? But he does know one thing for sure, that there are known unknowns that we don't know about because the knowns are actually unknown, except to those who know.
Which brings us to our commander-in-chief, Li'l George. George is a curious case indeed. He puts on an air of "simplicity," which used to cause people to give him the benefit of the doubt, his being a bit "slow" and all. But there is a reshaping of the President going on behind the scenes. He has taken the "Tough Wartime President" mantle and run with it. Karl Rove is making sure that people know that Dubya is "his own man" and is quite well read in the classics and philosophy, which helped to shape his current political outlook. In other words, they are now phonetically spelling out words on the teleprompter for him, as that "Latin stuff" is mighty hard to pronounce.
Put them all together and what do you get? One big CEO who has run a bunch of companies into the ground, and made himself and his buddies very rich in the process, and now they plan to do the same to America, Inc.
Adrian Johansson, Ocala, FL
Just a Bit Aggro
TAKI: Keep us poor paleocons informed about the plans for The American Conservative ("Top Drawer," 6/19). Having been mugged by them over antitrust policy during Reagan II, I can't wait to read a rapier thrust to their ego-inflated brains. A broadsword to their balls would be better, alas they have none. Man is more than an animal whose actions are bound by the chains of economic determinism; they repeat the error of Marx, but merely change the material end. Remember Greeks who tell the truth should taste their drinks carefully and be alert to former "friends" who might slip in a hemlock Mickey Finn. Because of Drudge I had to bookmark you directly, and no longer need him to find New York Press.
Jerome C. Finefrock, Lancaster, PA
It's Good to Have Friends
I loved David Serchuk's "Market Research" ("First Person," 6/12). I remember reading something else by this author a couple of months ago, and I'm very pleased to see that you have chosen to publish his work again.
Mr. Serchuk has a very clear, honest, funny yet sometimes devastating voice that is fresh and addictive. His stories are creative yet so familiar that it seems we've all lived through them. His characterizations are very thorough without being lengthy, and his first-person tone is never preachy or prideful. I hope to see more from this author in future issues.
Randi Skaggs, Manhattan
Is That Like Horse-Puckey?
I thought Mike Signorile's "The Prophet of Doom" was excessively harsh and unfair to the American people ("The Gist," 6/19). He states that Attorney General John Ashcroft "?has been quite brilliant at using the media to seduce the public into allowing the Bush administration to curtail civil liberties in the name of the war on terrorism, as polls seem to show support for his antiterrorism measures." It has apparently never occurred to Mr. Signorile that the American people are quite capable of forming their own opinions about the nature of this terrorist threat and the occasionally painful actions that must be undertaken in order to protect the greater good. God forbid that the great unwashed American public should form their own opinions on matters of life-and-death importance, without first clearing them with supposed arbiters of "good and reasoned" judgment, such as Mr. Signorile.
I strongly suspect that the American people overwhelmingly support recent government actions in this war on terrorism because they are pretty much the opposite of many things represented by Mr. Signorile's views on this issue. If we don't win this war, then untold thousands, or maybe it's millions, may lose more than their right to an attorney or one of their other rights that so upsets Mr. Signorile. The right to continue to exist is also pretty important.
I recognize that you have an objective in publishing a paper that reflects a wide and diverse set of opinions. But in all candor, I think your noble objective does on occasion result in printing absolute horse-hockey, to be polite about it. I have in mind the most recent column by Alexander Cockburn, "The Incredible Shrinking President" ("Wild Justice," 6/19) as well as the usual drivel from Signorile, about which I have previously commented.
With respect to Cockburn's piece, how can one take seriously or even respond to such idiotic statements as, "W has the vocabulary of a 12-year-old, though most 12-year-olds have an infinitely stronger grasp of world affairs." I can certainly appreciate that Cockburn and his fellow refugees from a poor education received in the old country might find this turn of phrase amusing, but aside from that and some other intellectually challenged acolytes, the statement is hyperbolic in the extreme. Aside from providing this form of "amusement," what value has been added by publishing the hysterical rantings of such an obvious lunatic? Some time ago, others in the media business came to this same realization and stopped wasting ink and paper on his musings. I think you should do the same.
Terry Hinshaw, Miami Beach
Generation Yap
I very much enjoyed reading about Taki's dad ("Top Drawer," 6/12). I agree that he certainly appears to have been at polar opposites not only with the likes of Perelman and Kravis, but most obviously with his bloviating, imbecilic, ex-con "playboy on Viagra" son. Taki is a clear living demonstration of regression toward the mean.
N.S. Heftler, Manhattan
Dads & Baseball
MUGGER: Thanks for the Father's Day notes on you and the family (6/19). As always, I enjoy hearing about the kids. My younger son gave me a print of Tiger Stadium. It was like a snapshot during the 1945 World Series against the Chicago Cubs. It is a classic painting depicting the buzz outside Tiger Stadium before a World Series game, complete with vintage automobiles and fans dressed in the appropriate gear of the era. The men were dressed in coats and ties and the ladies in dresses?smartly dressed crowd in contrast to what we experience in this day and age. I didn't see a single tattoo, backwards ballcap or earring in the picture. I guess those Tiger fans were pretty square.
I agree with you on Mike Piazza. He should go to first before he becomes an even bigger embarrassment to his team behind the plate. I only mention that because Piazza will be a Hall of Famer and he should be smarter than that. I respect his ability as a hitter but he's a brutal catcher.
Tracy Meadows, Brenham, TX
Touched a Nerve?
Alexander Cockburn (is that a real name?) should not sound so desperate ("Wild Justice," 6/19). It is not good for your paper and for New York. Mr. Cockburn should learn to live with the successes of a Republican president for the next six and a half years. For your general information, President George W. Bush is cleaning the mess left behind by an impeached, fined and disbarred president, Clinton, who is admired for his lies in grammatical, well-structured sentences. You should study the following facts before publishing another article betraying your ignorance. The intifada started under a Democratic administration, four months before Republicans took back the White House. Iraq got armed between 1991-2000 during a Democratic administration. The inspectors were expelled from Iraq under a Democratic administration in 1998. Bin Laden's terrorists attacked Americans under a Democratic administration four times.
So, Mr. Cockburn, shut up, even if you know your English grammar. At least MUGGER got the Paul Begala award from Andrew Sullivan for printing the most idiotic article, by Cockburn. I read MUGGER on Jewish World Review. But the article by that idiot got me all upset. There has to be some standard of factual, logical and rational reporting.
Michelle Abbott, Bay Village, Oh
Burnin' Up
Thankfully 75 percent of the American people disagree with the liberal/socialist, one Mr. Cockburn. Heartburn seems to be a more appropriate surname.
James A. Gary, Lisle, IL
NYP = DNC?
Alexander Cockburn's article "The Incredible Shrinking President" strays so far from the reality that I've perceived since President Bush has taken office that I've come to the conclusion that New York Press editors really don't care about anything other than bashing President Bush with the talking points of the Democratic National Committee. How shallow of you.
Dan McAfee, Fort Wayne, IN
But You Love MUGGER, Diane
The truth of the matter is The New York Times and its gaggle of left-wing loony-tune writers have become the laughingstock of the United Sates. Most of us read your post-Sept. 11 extremist left-wing rag for the absolute pleasure of watching you whine, squirm, twist and turn, become bellicose, myopic, biased, bigoted, agitated and finally pathetic in the face of a strong, honest, courageous and eloquent president. The President speaks clearly and with fewer blunders than the media does. Most of the country loves the man, trusts the man and finds the press just a tad better than doggy doo on the sole of a shoe.
D. Schwartz, San Diego
Maybe in Springfield It Is
Alexander Cockburn: Funny how a guy like the one you describe ("Wild Justice," 6/19) has the backing of well over 70 percent of the American people! It might be because they would have voted for Mickey Mouse after the Clinton-Gore debacle?or maybe it's because GWB stands for the same values they do. Inexperienced in foreign affairs he may have been on Inauguration Day, but tapped by a Higher Power he was, also, for his qualities of character and integrity. Give me a GWB over a "Slick Willie" or "Lying Gore" any day. Our world is really a lot safer now than it was when Clinton/Gore were at the helm because although we're living in a powder-keg environment, at least maturity and integrity are back at the helm of the USA.
Carol Tandy, Springfield, IL
Fighter Pilot?
There are many responses one could have at this laughably pathetic rant by Alexander Cockburn. I will limit myself to three since I am sure others will add to the list. Harvard MBA. Fighter Pilot. A 75 percent sustained approval rating. What are Cockburn's credentials?
Ralph Drury, Carlsbad, CA
Clearer than Kristol
MUGGER: Thanks for your very clear article rebutting the cacophony of nitwits.
Neil Bridges, Lincoln, CA
A Marion Kind
MUGGER: First of all, I see that your Red Sox are still hanging on. My Royals are doing what they do, lose. Ever since they fired McRae, they have made every effort to lose. It is as if they gave up. As for Bud Selig, can the man. Can the major players be serious? As Tony Kornheiser noted, even if a salary cap is put in place, players will still make a ton of money. It is not as if anyone will starve.
It is great that political ambition is allowing Dick Gephardt to do the right thing. Now Bush has the green light to go. (At my recent talk, Swomley was irritated that the leading House Democrat gave the green light, so it was great.)
I noticed Albert Hunt's piece in the WSJ about how Daschle is being mistreated. Hell, the guy has bottled up every needed legislation that could help the economy, help shred the judiciary system, has allowed Leahy and Schumer to run wild and somehow we should feel sorry for the slug. He is getting far less bad press than he deserves and he has sycophants in the media to apologize. Like Hunt.
Tom Donelson, Marion, IA
No Ear for Accents
I've heard Portland described by such notables as Gus Van Sant circa My Own Private Idaho, Richard Meltzer, Jello Biafra and now George Tabb's "Rock For Daddy, Baby" ("Music," 6/19). Of all those accounts, Tabb's take rings truest to me?a native New Yorker who spent a year in PDX. It all registered: stadium-sized supermarkets, punk rock, teenage strippers, gay men who look suspiciously like Bill Gates and a refreshing paucity of uptight schmucks. But I wasn't aware of an Oregonian accent other than the standard well-paced leftcoastish broadcasting-school timbre?and I had to supply those Fred Meyer cashiers with plenty of "eye day."
Jody Beth Rosen, Brooklyn
Brother Jack Explains It All
Thanks very much as always for your attention to and consideration of my letter. May God bless. Keep up that good work that you do at New York Press. Mail correspondent Jeffrey S. Erickson ("The Mail," 6/12) defends Islam by quoting all the Koran's pretty passages on tolerating Christians. It's just too bad that none of those highfalutin Koranic emotions were sincere.
Within 100 years of the death of Mohammed, the earliest Muslims who were most influenced by him had violently overrun and conquered large chunks of the known world. They trampled all over Christians, Jews and anyone else who had the misfortune of being in their way, and did it on such a scale and in such a way that there's no way it could have possibly been in self-defense. It was violent colonialism, pure and simple. It is historical fact, and so much for all the talk of how wonderful and open-minded Islam was and is.
By contrast, the earliest followers of the Lord Jesus Christ?He who is the only Way to God's kingdom?sustained 300 years of pacifism and overcame their enemies by the power of the Holy Spirit rather than the sword as they followed Christ. Any sins committed by false Christians later were therefore in direct violation of Christ's teachings. This is something Islam cannot claim about the teachings of Mohammed, which leave cries for "holy war" ringing through the Koran and which have only in recent times been interpreted to sound more peaceful (and even that by only some Muslims).
Also, note the reality of the large numbers of Muslims seeking a better life in Christian-founded America?where almost all of them find success and comfort and send funds home to their impoverished relatives?from all over the globe. Then look at those huge numbers of Christian immigrants running to Muslim countries. What? Can't find them? Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot that no Muslim country would tolerate such immigration, like America and other Christian-founded countries do. Of course?with the exception of some luckless Filipinos and others who are unfortunate enough to be working in constantly dangerous circumstances in exploitative places like Saudi Arabia?non-Muslims have no desire to go to primitive Muslim countries in the first place. Such countries should be sent humanitarian aid and Bibles containing the gospels of Christ, but America should leave them alone in all other ways (which is probably the only thing Mr. Erickson and I would agree on about this issue).
Jack Seney, Queens
His Justice Is Wild
Cockburn is so far left he's off the charts ("Wild Justice," 6/19). I have never read a single article of his where he didn't sound like a rabid dog foaming at the mouth. He's so stupid he can't figure out why nobody listens to his constant extreme left hysterics. He and many others on the left continue to underestimate George W. Bush. They continue to try and denigrate his intelligence and he continues to outmaneuver them at every turn.
As far as Europe is concerned, politically, they are at the same place as Cockburn. Of course far left governments and intellectual snobs are going to ridicule Pres. Bush because he doesn't believe in socialism but in capitalism. But Europe is without a moral compass and is so socialistic they have no solution for anything except through more taxation and control of people's lives. Naturally, that is what Alexander Cockburn would like to see in the U.S., socialism! Forget that it has been a failure everywhere it has taken root. Please don't bring up the Swedish model again. It's dead and done! This President has recognized things that your Mr. Cockburn already knows. Bush knows the left is on a power grab by taking our money and he is going to stop them wherever and whenever he can. This turns people like Cockburn into a mad dog with incoherent rantings against President Bush.
A perfect example of what I mean is the reaction to the Kyoto Treaty. Pres. Bush threw that miserable piece of paper into the trash bin because he knew that it would destroy the U.S. economy without providing any meaningful change in global temperatures. The Kyoto Treaty is nothing but socialism and environmental activism gone nuts to raise an incredible amount of new tax monies that the nations of the world cannot afford. These taxes would not help anything in the area of "global warming," but they would create unrest and governments would fall because of such folly. The type of folly that the "so smart, intellectual and brilliant" Alexander Cockburn would love to see. I believe Cockburn still pines for the Stalinist regime and all the good it did for the Russian people.
I love the way Cockburn quotes other left-wing mad dogs to back up his points. Cockburn is just another old time pseudo-communist foaming at the mouth.
Thomas G. Allen, Camas, WA