WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

One must wonder how the suggestion that robust debate on critical issues is dependent on a well educated electorate entails a digression into pathological Pavlovian hyperbole. Let me be clear, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity are an insult to Republicans and conservatives. Similarly, the engagement in abject idiocy as provided by the growling and barked responses of Mark P. Miller, Loren L. Pace, Lonnie H. Greer and Ryan C. McDonald are the actual plague that threatens critically necessary conservative thought and input into genuine political debate. The bottom line here is that no matter how insulting, reprehensible or ridiculous the attack dogs cannot help themselves.

Mr. Miller finds logical connections between Thomas Jefferson’s vision for the University of Virginia, the government of our founders, and agenda-driven science with the U.N.; a slur of his personal amusement in bumper stickers on foreign cars; innuendo about a control driven agenda; screaming or begging for an insurgent beheading and summary personal conclusions. More, Mr. Miller’s sub-literate meanderings fail to rise to the level of debate. It is possible that Mr. Miller missed his self-prescribed insurgent beheading and simply lobotomized himself.

Loren L. Pace engages in a diatribe of inconsistent references while begging the request for use of primary sources. Apparently, for Loren words like: “Democrat liberalism,” “leftists,” “secular progressives,” “socialistic, left-leaning indoctrination,” and “socialistic tendencies” have meaning beyond antiquated cold war jargon; although, such meanings are only found within his own edification. One must hope that the jargon is a substitute for carefully considered analysis. For Loren, this is considerably absent notwithstanding his extraneous appeals to unsubstantiated conclusions. Sorry Loren, you still missed the primary references, maybe best to stay in cold war politics or just look up ignoratio elenchi in your Latin dictionary.

An alternate dimension or parallel universe is embraced in the Rush and Sean fueled world of Lonnie Greer where the Outer Limits are alive and well at his house in Arcadia, Ohio. In these confines, Lonnie can witness the new socialist state rise from the pre-sophomoric rantings Hannity and Limbaugh. Lonnie is unique in imbecilic ability to accept the insights of two men who failed to complete a year of college against a graduate of Columbia University; a Harvard educated lawyer; President of Harvard Law Review, one of the most cited law reviews in the United States and a Professor of Constitutional Law at the University of Chicago Law School from 1992 to 2004. In this, he suggests that two men who have demonstrated no constitutional comprehension have greater insight than someone who actually read both the Declaration of Independence and United States Constitution and graduated from an esteemed law school. Perhaps Lonnie should voice similar criticism of United States Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Articles Editor Vol. 77; Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Editor for 1 year before transfer to Columbia Law School; Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., Managing Editor for Vol. 92 and Justice Antonin Scalia, Notes Editor for Volume 73; but, that would just be perceived as absurd or patently stupid. It is far easier for Lonnie to make statements with no idea about what he is saying or restricting himself to facts verifiable in the real world. The return of Star Trek has allowed Lonnie to investigate strange new worlds - by himself. The best suggestion for Lonnie is to seek professional help, add more padding to his walls or volunteer for an interview with a Washington Post Reporter.

For Ryan C. McDonald, we must hope that he does rediscover actual conservatism. Perhaps he may do this by separating political and economic concepts. Present review of our United States government reveals that we continue to enjoy life within the framework of a constitutionally based democratic republic. We elect our representatives in public and popular elections. Socialism refers to a number of theories involving economic organizations of state or cooperative ownership. There is no evidence that the present administration has advocated any such economic alternatives. Private rights and ownership have been preserved even with the infusion of public funds to re-capitalize private enterprise. No gifts were made; although, it is possible that Mr. McDonald would desire significant economic and manufacturing interests fail to remain consistent with the actual failure of Reagan and Bush economics. If we may seek to reclaim our roots, perhaps we need to actually study the words, acts and writings that motivated our founders rather than engage in romantic reminisces of conservative mythology. John Hancock, George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin, among others, were outlawed revolutionaries and traitors who were subject to hanging by British soldiers. Good conservative roots there for you Ryan.

The challenge continues to be a duty for “We the People” to be responsible for our experience under our constitutional democratic republic, particularly now that it appears – the dogs are out. Here boys! Sit – roll over – beg. Good dogs – don’t bite.