The REAL War…

The REAL War...
By Michael Becker - Senior Writer
1/22/2007

It's right here. Before I go on, let me reassure my gentle readers that I fully understand that a war IS being waged in Iraq. I also know that the folks doing the waging are more than capable of successfully completing their mission. But only if we win the REAL war. The one right here.

The REAL war is the war of ideas. Ideas that embrace democratic societies. Ideas that embrace individualism. Ideas that promote freedom. And right now, we're not winning that war. The left, think of them in terms of "the enemy", are shaping the battlefield. Any halfway decent military strategist will tell tell you that he who shapes the field determines the outcome.

The big guns of the left, the major media outlets and the Democratic Leadership in Congress, are defining the battle by choosing not to engage in a discussion of ideas and ideals, rather they are pushing a poll driven agenda of outcomes. Hence the 100 Hours. No discussion of anything more reaching than the minimum wage and legislation to produce a perception that Congress will act in an ethical manner. Stuff that, in the long run, is totally meaningless fluff.

It's time, well past time actually, for Republicans and Conservatives especially, to work to define the debate in terms of ideas. We win. Remember the contest between President NationalMalaise™ and Mr. Monomeric™?

Remember Mr. Gorbachev or do you remember Mr. Gorbachev, take down this wall...? Ideas rooted in freedom and individualism always win.

How about a couple of current examples.

First from the People's Republic of Michigan (with apologies to Saul, I know you tried). Prop 2, the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, was on the ballot last November. The short version is that it barred state colleges and universities from using race as a consideration for admission. Every politician on both sides of the aisle opposed it (shame on the Republicans). It passed overwhelmingly with 58% of the vote. You can read
more about it at NRO. Of course the UoM file suit to block it, their suit was denied and SCOTUS refused to hear an appeal.

Call it a win for the good guys. And thank you Ward Connerly, you are an American
Hero.

A second example is former President Jimmy Carter. He's pushing a new book promoting
the idea that Israel is practicing apartheid with the Palestinians.
He's on a book tour and says the purpose of his book is to "spark
debate". He's trying to get places to speak to promote his book.
He was invited to Brandeis University to debate with Alan Dershowitz.
He refused. Apparently, they've pulled Dershowitz and Carter
will now appear. Dershowitz says he plans on attending and will
be the first person with his hand up at the Q&A session after
Carter's remarks. Let's see if Carter demands the session be
closed to non-Brandeis students and faculty since he's already
denied a documentary film maker (not Michael Moore) access to
film his remarks and the Q&A. Jimmy has no interest in debate.
He'll make a fool of himself.

My final example is Algore. You know, Mr. Inconvenience™. He's been in
Europe lately promoting his "movie". While in Denmark, he was
scheduled to do an interview with the major newspaper in the
country. The interview was scheduled months ago. The structure
of the article was to have both Gore and Bjorn Lomborg, author
of "The Skeptical Environmentalist," together to respond to
questions. The day before the interview, Gore backed out. Refused
to participate if Lomborg was there. The newspaper instantly
agreed to his new terms. Gore's agent called right back and
canceled the interview on any terms. You can read about Mr.
Inconvenience™ here.
Algore has no interest in debate, he'll make a fool of himself.

So, what's the bottom line? Liberals have issues. Conservatives have ideas. It's time
to stop playing the game with their ball. Where are OUR idea
folk? Why aren't we discussing ideas? Why aren't we making liberals
defend the fact that they haven't had a new idea since the late
'30's?

We have a Presidential election coming up in a couple of years. I want to hear what
the candidate's have for vision for this nation. I want to know
what their ideas are and how they will defend and promote them.
I want the game played on our field with our ball.