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Title: Neoconned No More
Source:
The American Conservative
URL Source: http://www.amconmag.com/tactv/2010/02/01/neoconned-no-more/
Published: Feb 1, 2010
Author: Jack Hunter
Post Date: 2010-02-25 12:35:43 by mininggold
Keywords: None
Views: 10462
Comments: 39
Title: Neoconned No More Source: The American Conservative URL Source: http://www.amconmag.com/tactv/2010/02/01/neoconned-no-more/ After Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and Sean Hannity are the most popular rightwing talk hosts in America, defining for millions the definition of the term “conservative.” Lately, Beck has focused on attacking “progressivism,” often stressing that the progressive foreign policy of President Woodrow Wilson, who wanted to “make the world safe for democracy,” was identical to that of George W. Bush. Hannity takes a very different view, stating, “You can57;t deny that George Bush was conservative on national security issues.” Yet, Beck does deny this, quite regularly. Who’s right? Better yet, who’s “conservative”? That depends on your definition. The notion of “making the world safe for democracy” is unquestionably a liberal or “progressive” sentiment, but it is also true that it has been standard foreign policy for the mainstream Right for some time. Self-described conservatives have associated endless military intervention with American “toughness” and viewed those who questioned the government’s wisdom in waging war as “weak” or “anti-American.” This has certainly been the view of Limbaugh and Hannity, and for most of Bush’s eight years it was also the view of Beck. Yet the notion of America as the world’s policeman is not remotely conservative in the traditional sense, but “neoconservative,” a term most mainstream right-wingers are either ignorant of, embarrassed of, or don’t use because the wholesale takeover of the conservative movement by the neocons has made the “neo” prefix unnecessary. Neoconservatives care about one thing—war (and where they can wage it). Says contributing editor to the Weekly Standard, neocon Max Boot: “Neoconservatives believe in using American might to promote American ideals abroad,” a progressive, Wilsonian vision, if there ever was one. As for traditional conservative concerns like limited government, fiscal responsibility, and constitutional fidelity, these are ideas neoconservatives will occasionally pay lip service to, so long as none of these principles interferes with their more important task of global military domination. It is no coincidence that George W. Bush—the first full-blown neoconservative presidential administration—did not limit government, was not fiscally responsible, and shredded the Constitution, while still implementing the most radical foreign policy in American history. Writes conservative columnist George Will, “The most magnificently misnamed neoconservatives are the most radical people in this town.” Conservatives now seem more willing to question their recent radical past, and a populist right-wing movement consisting of tea parties, town hall protests and states rights’ rhetoric is not conducive to neoconservativism. With traditional conservatism being represented in its modern form most prominently by so-called “paleoconservatives” like commentator Pat Buchanan or libertarians like Texas Congressman Ron Paul, Boot recently described such non-“neo”-conservatives to Newsweek: “A lot of them tend to be libertarian cranks: neo-Confederates, really insane, racist, xenophobic types.” “Libertarian cranks” could describe the current crop of constitutionally minded, anti-government protesters, and so-called “neo-Confederates” primary concern has always been states’ right, an increasingly hot topic. As for his portrayal of traditional conservatives as “really insane, racist, xenophobic” types, Boot’s criticism is not unlike the Left’s attempts to portray anti-Obama tea partiers as “racist,” and serves as a reminder of neoconservatives’ progressive inclinations. Defending his comrades, Boot told Newsweek, “Neocons are vilified as being barely human beasts who have to be kept chained in a cage somewhere, lest they start eating babies alive or something, but when you look at the spectrum of conservative thought, they are actually fairly centrist. The people who kind of speak to the rank and file of the Republican Party—the Newt Gingriches, the Rush Limbaughs, the Sean Hannitys … they57;re actually fairly supportive of an aggressive foreign policy.” Until recently, Boot was correct. Being part of the “rank-and-file of the Republican Party” meant being a neoconservative, whether mainstream conservatives were conscious of it or not. But as the grassroots Right continues to revisit conservatism’s limited-government roots, this ideological shift creates much less fertile ground for neoconservatives, most of whom remain busy either applauding Obama’s troop escalation in Afghanistan or criticizing the president for not attacking Iran, Yemen, or North Korea yet. Neoconservatives never have been conservative, neither was Bush on “national security,” and these points must be hammered home before the Right can achieve a sturdier ideological footing. Laughably, Boot complains that neocons have been “vilified as being barely human beasts who have to be kept chained in a cage somewhere,” and yet without hesitation slanders real conservatives as “libertarian cranks,” “neo-Confederate,” and “racists.” It’s time for the Right take “neo” out of conservative, chain neoconservatism to progressivism, and put these liberal beasts back in their cages. After Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, and Sean Hannity are the most popular rightwing talk hosts in America, defining for millions the definition of the term “conservative.” Lately, Beck has focused on attacking “progressivism,” often stressing that the progressive foreign policy of President Woodrow Wilson, who wanted to “make the world safe for democracy,” was identical to that of George W. Bush. Hannity takes a very different view, stating, “You can57;t deny that George Bush was conservative on national security issues.” Yet, Beck does deny this, quite regularly. Who’s right? Better yet, who’s “conservative”? That depends on your definition. The notion of “making the world safe for democracy” is unquestionably a liberal or “progressive” sentiment, but it is also true that it has been standard foreign policy for the mainstream Right for some time. Self-described conservatives have associated endless military intervention with American “toughness” and viewed those who questioned the government’s wisdom in waging war as “weak” or “anti-American.” This has certainly been the view of Limbaugh and Hannity, and for most of Bush’s eight years it was also the view of Beck. Yet the notion of America as the world’s policeman is not remotely conservative in the traditional sense, but “neoconservative,” a term most mainstream right-wingers are either ignorant of, embarrassed of, or don’t use because the wholesale takeover of the conservative movement by the neocons has made the “neo” prefix unnecessary. Neoconservatives care about one thing—war (and where they can wage it). Says contributing editor to the Weekly Standard, neocon Max Boot: “Neoconservatives believe in using American might to promote American ideals abroad,” a progressive, Wilsonian vision, if there ever was one. As for traditional conservative concerns like limited government, fiscal responsibility, and constitutional fidelity, these are ideas neoconservatives will occasionally pay lip service to, so long as none of these principles interferes with their more important task of global military domination. It is no coincidence that George W. Bush—the first full-blown neoconservative presidential administration—did not limit government, was not fiscally responsible, and shredded the Constitution, while still implementing the most radical foreign policy in American history. Writes conservative columnist George Will, “The most magnificently misnamed neoconservatives are the most radical people in this town.” Conservatives now seem more willing to question their recent radical past, and a populist right-wing movement consisting of tea parties, town hall protests and states rights’ rhetoric is not conducive to neoconservativism. With traditional conservatism being represented in its modern form most prominently by so-called “paleoconservatives” like commentator Pat Buchanan or libertarians like Texas Congressman Ron Paul, Boot recently described such non-“neo”-conservatives to Newsweek: “A lot of them tend to be libertarian cranks: neo-Confederates, really insane, racist, xenophobic types.” “Libertarian cranks” could describe the current crop of constitutionally minded, anti-government protesters, and so-called “neo-Confederates” primary concern has always been states’ right, an increasingly hot topic. As for his portrayal of traditional conservatives as “really insane, racist, xenophobic” types, Boot’s criticism is not unlike the Left’s attempts to portray anti-Obama tea partiers as “racist,” and serves as a reminder of neoconservatives’ progressive inclinations. Defending his comrades, Boot told Newsweek, “Neocons are vilified as being barely human beasts who have to be kept chained in a cage somewhere, lest they start eating babies alive or something, but when you look at the spectrum of conservative thought, they are actually fairly centrist. The people who kind of speak to the rank and file of the Republican Party—the Newt Gingriches, the Rush Limbaughs, the Sean Hannitys … they57;re actually fairly supportive of an aggressive foreign policy.” Until recently, Boot was correct. Being part of the “rank-and-file of the Republican Party” meant being a neoconservative, whether mainstream conservatives were conscious of it or not. But as the grassroots Right continues to revisit conservatism’s limited-government roots, this ideological shift creates much less fertile ground for neoconservatives, most of whom remain busy either applauding Obama’s troop escalation in Afghanistan or criticizing the president for not attacking Iran, Yemen, or North Korea yet. Neoconservatives never have been conservative, neither was Bush on “national security,” and these points must be hammered home before the Right can achieve a sturdier ideological footing. Laughably, Boot complains that neocons have been “vilified as being barely human beasts who have to be kept chained in a cage somewhere,” and yet without hesitation slanders real conservatives as “libertarian cranks,” “neo-Confederate,” and “racists.” It’s time for the Right take “neo” out of conservative, chain neoconservatism to progressivism, and put these liberal beasts back in their cages.
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#1. To: All (#0)
There seems to be so much ignorance of the term on this forum that I thought I would post one man's opinion.
So leave the forum, and thereby allow the collective IQ to rise a notch.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Why? Then you would have less chances to display your name calling and eye rolling schtick. There is a bozo feature you know.
Bot Eye, did they kick you off Freepville.
You provide such a flexible counter weight that you'd offset any such reaction in one post (laughing).
Day 4 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 2 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
Welcome dude...been a while...not that we missed each other...
Day 4 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 2 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
The first time I heard the term neo-con/neo-conservative, it was used to describe former left-wingers who had suddenly "found religion" and become lovers of war (for the most part, they were still liberal or ambivalent on "social issues" (i.e. abortion, gay-rights). They found a home in the modern Republican party of the Bush's. (although Reagan probably had a few in his admin, too. ) Some of those included Kristol (senior), Wolfowitz and Lieberman. Because these men are Jewish, the term neo-con became synonymous. It followed that criticizing neo-cons became the same as criticizing Jews. Too much of that and you'd be painted with the dreaded term anti-semite. This is what happened to Pat Buchanan. Sadly, this is what passes for most political discourse these days. I don't look at it the same. One doesn't have to search too hard to find neo-cons who are NOT Jews. Cheney, the Bush's, and most talk show hosts for example. (Mike Church on satellite is an exception.) My view of neo-cons (both the Jewish and non-Jewish variety) is this: to the extent that they want to wage unconstitutional wars abroad, they need to be opposed and defeated. And when someone waves the term "anti-semite" they can put it where the sun don't shine.
Obammy sez it Hey, your comment opened the ball, not mine. I'm just calling you on it.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
VT, Nope. Did your mommy kick you out of the basement?
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Bot Eye, my mother died 23 years ago. We never had a basement. So I see your sorry ass is till posting at that site for losers. Now I know why you fit in!!
Some here professed to be ignorant of the term 'neocon'. Were you one of those? Maybe you might try to clarify or discuss the definition instead of demonstrating what some insist are neocon behaviors.
Sure she did.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Hey, your comment opened the ball, not mine. I'm just calling you on it.
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Opened what ball?
The "high" ball...(laughing)
Day 4 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 2 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
There is no such thing as neocons. Just a disparaging term used by Paultards and their ilk to trash Bush and the Juze.
Denying the word doesn't make it go away. Too many are proud of their Neocon heritage and what it has accomplished. You can blame it on a certain religion or ethnic group if you want, which portrays you as not being as ignorant as you pretend, but there are plenty from other faiths and ethnic groups who adhere to the Neocon tenets.
Fine...there's no such thing as a nigger either.
Day 4 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 2 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
I don't understand. You appear drawn to the thread like a moth and it's my fault you have no control over your behavior?
The darkies call themselves and other darkies niggers. So it seems the darkies would disagree with you. They just get upset when non-darkies use the term.
So?
Day 4 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 2 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
Since you can't remember your own post....(eyes rolling)
my anti groupie can't get through life without me.
Nobody refers to themselves as neocons. It's a made up term by Joo haters.
That's a perfect example of what I meant in post #7. The "anti-semite" card. Kind of ironic - given some of your posts - that you're the one playing it.
Obammy sez it The "anti-semite" card. Kind of ironic - given some of your posts - that you're the one playing it. Show me someone who throws around the term neocon, and I'll show you someone who is content to throw Israel under the bus, almost without fail.
From the article: Obammy sez it BTW - I'm not here to defend neo-cons - 'cause I ain't one. Sending US troops to engage in un-Constitutional wars ain't my bag.
Obammy sez it Post deleted .....meant for another poster.
That's a perfect example of what I meant in post #7. The "anti-semite" card. Kind of ironic - given some of your posts - that you're the one playing it. Show me someone who throws around the term neocon, and I'll show you someone who is content to throw Israel under the bus, almost without fail. That sounds great. When does it happen? And lots of other countries need to follow Israel under that bus. Anybody who puts another country's welfare as the priority and expects the US to send her youth to fight it's wars is a damned traitor.
Show me someone who IS a neocon and I'll show you someone who believes that Pollard was a hero and would equally sell out American to advance the interests of a foreign nation. Tell me how the "survival" of Israel is a necessary element to the survival of America.
Day 5 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 3 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
Okay - there's one of two possibilities here: One, you posted your reply to me and meant to post it to "dont eat that" instead. -or- Two, you have the reading comprehension of an idiot. I was CRITICIZING his post. Moron.
Obammy sez it He's probably got blowup signs of Pollard decorating his basement walls. I hope he rots in hell. He want your grandkids to die in support of another social experiment.
One, you posted your reply to me and meant to post it to "dont eat that" instead. -or- Two, you have the reading comprehension of an idiot. I was CRITICIZING his post. Moron. Sorry. That was meant for the poster of banana licker. I should have put on the old specs before posting. Are you Brian_Griffin?
This insane obsession with the survival of a tiny country whose interests are in no way similar to ours is what puts this nation in more danger.
Day 5 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 3 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
That name goes way back, but I'm not him. Sorry I got a little hot at you - it was just disappointment coming out. This is a discussion that needs to happen - and nothing bugs me more than people who play various "cards" - race, anti-semite, whatever - to shut down political discussion. BTW - I see that willie is posting on this thread. I'd ping him, but he's got me bozo'ed. I'm sure it's due to my tagline (too bad - I had him and a few others in mind when I wrote it.) Oh well - I guess he's just intimidated by my stellar logic :-)
Obammy sez it If we would outlaw dual citizenships it would help a little. Either renounce or go home.
You'd run into a HUGE 1st amendment problem...but your sentiment is probably spot on... I have a real issue with arms exports as well. There is nothing in the USCON that allows the Congress to build another nation's military.
Day 5 of Packrat refusing to register here. Day 3 Of Boofer The One Eyed Wonder Bot refusing to answer: When is Blackwell going to have the recount?
I have a real issue with arms exports as well. There is nothing in the USCON that allows the Congress to build another nation's military. Yeah... essentially giving them our "outdated" weaponry when most of the time all it takes is just a couple of modifications and they will have the updated version.
#2. To: mininggold (#1)
#3. To: Badeye (#2)
So leave the forum, and thereby allow the collective IQ to rise a notch.
#4. To: Badeye (#2)
#5. To: Badeye (#2)
(Edited)
So leave the forum, and thereby allow the collective IQ to rise a notch.
#6. To: VinnyTex (#4)
#7. To: mininggold (#1)
There seems to be so much ignorance of the term on this forum that I thought I would post one man's opinion.
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#8. To: mininggold (#3)
#9. To: VinnyTex (#4)
#10. To: Badeye (#9)
#11. To: Badeye (#8)
Hey, your comment opened the ball, not mine. I'm just calling you on it.
#12. To: VinnyTex (#10)
#13. To: mininggold (#11)
#14. To: Badeye (#13)
#15. To: Fred Mertz (#14)
Opened what ball?
#16. To: mininggold (#0)
#17. To: dont eat that (#16)
(Edited)
There is no such thing as neocons. Just a disparaging term used by Paultards and their ilk to trash Bush and the Juze.
#18. To: dont eat that (#16)
(Edited)
#19. To: Badeye (#13)
Hey, your comment opened the ball, not mine. I'm just calling you on it.
#20. To: war (#18)
Fine...there's no such thing as a nigger either.
#21. To: dont eat that (#20)
#22. To: mininggold (#19)
There seems to be so much ignorance of the term on this forum that I thought I would post one man's opinion
#23. To: mininggold (#17)
Too many are proud of their Neocon heritage and what it has accomplished.
#24. To: dont eat that, mininggold (#23)
Nobody refers to themselves as neocons. It's a made up term by Joo haters.
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#25. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#24)
That's a perfect example of what I meant in post #7.
#26. To: dont eat that (#25)
Show me someone who throws around the term neocon, and I'll show you someone who is content to throw Israel under the bus, almost without fail.
Neoconservatives care about one thing—war (and where they can wage it). Says contributing editor to the Weekly Standard, neocon Max Boot: “Neoconservatives believe in using American might to promote American ideals abroad,” a progressive, Wilsonian vision, if there ever was one. As for traditional conservative concerns like limited government, fiscal responsibility, and constitutional fidelity, these are ideas neoconservatives will occasionally pay lip service to, so long as none of these principles interferes with their more important task of global military domination. It is no coincidence that George W. Bush—the first full-blown neoconservative presidential administration—did not limit government, was not fiscally responsible, and shredded the Constitution, while still implementing the most radical foreign policy in American history. Writes conservative columnist George Will, “The most magnificently misnamed neoconservatives are the most radical people in this town.”
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#27. To: dont eat that (#25)
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#28. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#24)
(Edited)
#29. To: dont eat that (#25)
(Edited)
To: Get Outta Dodge!
#30. To: dont eat that, mininggold (#25)
(Edited)
Show me someone who throws around the term neocon, and I'll show you someone who is content to throw Israel under the bus, almost without fail.
#31. To: mininggold (#28)
Ooh goody.... I got you to use "Jew" and "anti semite" which is code for: discussions of the subject (which is Neocon in this case) must be dissuaded and ridiculed. Glad I hit your sore spot. I hope the ADL is paying you well.
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#32. To: war (#30)
Tell me how the "survival" of Israel is a necessary element to the survival of America.
#33. To: dont eat that (#25)
Ooh goody.... I got you to use "Jew" and "anti semite" which is code for: discussions of the subject (which is Neocon in this case) must be dissuaded and ridiculed. Glad I hit your sore spot. I hope the ADL is paying you well.
#34. To: Get Outta Dodge! (#31)
Okay - there's one of two possibilities here:
#35. To: mininggold (#32)
(Edited)
#36. To: mininggold, war even though you have me bozoed, you leftist shill (#34)
I believes it
an' that settles it!
#37. To: war (#35)
This insane obsession with the survival of a tiny country whose interests are in no way similar to ours is what puts this nation in more danger.
#38. To: mininggold (#37)
If we would outlaw dual citizenships
#39. To: war (#38)
You'd run into a HUGE 1st amendment problem...but your sentiment is probably spot on...
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