The Friday Furo Questus

Questus Utes
From the Mountain West Conference tournament in Denver:
Utah 74, BYU 70. GO UTES!

Questus Furore - Charging Headlong Into Disrepute

When the eagles are silent the parrots begin to jabber.
Winston Churchill

There was a time when former Presidents kept silent for at least the first year of their successor's term; Clinton was the first to break that tradition. Ther was a time when former presidents were calm and cautious in their criticism, keeping their most strident remarks contained in private correspondence. There was a time, too, when politicians held their tongues when overseas, saving their contentions for a return to American shores.

Of course, those traditions depended on the persuasions of honor. And honor is a scarce quality in modern America.

It is a bit of a surprise, in a media environment that thrives on delivering criticism, that the antics of former President Carter and former Vice President Gore go so unnoted. Carter delivers inane criticisms at every stop of his book tour, flooging his Bush-bashing book; and Gore bravely accuses Bush of leading an anti-Arab crusade - in front of an Arab crowd in Saudi Arabia.

One could argue that their positions are argued from a position of desperation, that they are trying to make themselves heard in the stifling atmosphere of Bush's Amerikkka. But an examination of the venues for their comments, the well-paid lectures and book signings, puts the lie to the source of their fervor. They are simply trying to drive up sales and appearance fees, by giving the sponsors what they want to hear. Both these men eagerly spout their venom not wherever the need is greatest, but wherever a big enough cheque is produced.

The only difference between these men and ordinary prostitutes is the choice of virtue they sell.

And my current regard for Jimmy Carter - well, I can sum it up in a Churchill quote: "He has all the virtues I dislike and none of the vices I admire." He is a betrayal of everything he pretends to stand for.

Recommended Reading
VDH, "The Great Stampede."

Jonah Goldberg, "An Economic Virus."

Frank Gaffney, "What If There Were An International IRS?" Oh yeah, that would be just great. Especially since the UN does such a great job administering the money they get now...

Jay Nordlinger, "Impromptus." Always worth reading, this one is particularly good. Also examine this one - and read about the extraordinary Helena Houdova.

Wesley J. Smith, "Harm Done." The decline (and fall?) of medical ethics.

And seen at the Corner: "Hot Stuff."

Thought of the Week
"In politics, as in religion, it is equally absurd to aim at making proselytes by fire and sword. Heresies in either can rarely be cured by persecution."
Alexander Hamilton

Churchill Quote of the Week
"You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life."
Winston Churchill