print“…Then there is the allegation that Pelosi is enabling a rogue regime that is also sabotaging us in Iraq. As soon as these accusations amount to more than a repetition of assumptions not yet in evidence, I’ll gladly believe them. So far, what is incontrovertible is Assad’s role as the US’s pressure relief valve in Iraq.
Millions of Iraqis have been uprooted and displaced in the aftermath of the invasion. That they have failed to graze our consciousness is largely courtesy of the intrepid cable cretins. They are currently preoccupied with the ‘senseless, horrible’ demise by poisoned pellets of the nation’s pets. And before that with Anna Nicole Smith. And generally with nonsense.
In any event, together, Jordan and Syria have taken in 1.6 million fleeing Iraqi refugees. Syria continues to succor new Iraqi arrivals…”
The complete new column is “Thank You, Nancy Pelosi.” An aspect of the column has been debated on BAB. Read on to discover what else you can get riled about.
Update I: Jay Homnick, writer for The American Spectator, blogger for America’s Reform Club, writes:
Ilana Mercer, whether you agree with her or not, stands out as one of the most independent-minded columnists writing today.
Here is her remarkable defense of Pelosi’s Syrian adventure, and I pass it along for your perusal without prejudice.
Update II: In the comments section, Ted Berry missed the part in my column discussing the original intent of the founders to disperse power. (He is also plain wrong about foreign policy being the sole purview of the executive.) Thus he can assert that whatever Genghis Bush says is Bible from Sinai. Someone do a search please to find out how many times in American history have opposition-party members traveled abroad to make nice with friends and foes. That ought to put this tribal hypocrisy to shame.
As for independent thinking being a liability; don’t I know it? (It’s a quality the great Thomas Szasz, the quintessential individualist, prizes.)
But do note that I have clicked my heels and barked “Jawohl” in deference to the writer’s admonitions that I march in lockstep. Does Terry know how fascistic the demand for adherence for the good of the “nation” sounds? Mother! Or rather, Mussolini!
Hi Ilana, do you think the Camp David accords were a turn for the worse in Israel’s plight? It’s been a while since I’ve read one of your columns. Great stuff, and thanks for never following the New Media Prostitution Ring.
RE: Thank You, Nancy Pelosi
And Thank you for your superbly written article Ilana.
I WHOLEHEARTEDLY agree !!!
Nancy only did what Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice should have been doing all along.
Tensions being what they are in the middle east at this time, diplomacy is the only way to try to get everyone on the same playing field. It certainly is not acting like adolescent school children out on the playground giving the silent treatment to a classmate who has disappointed you.
At last, after 6+ years of an administration who seem to be on a mission to chisel away at the Constitution, I finally feel a little better knowing that there are those within the beltway who understand and respect the document and who are willing to step up to the plate to defend it.
I really dig Nancy’s spunk. I greatly admire anyone who will stand up to the bully’s taunts (Bush and cronies) and do what’s right.
All I have left to say is:
“Go Nancy Go !!!”
I read with interest your comments on Pelosi’s visit to Syria. We have an intersting dynamic in all of this attention-grabbing spectacle: diplomacy now seems to be an amalgram of “fact finding,” camera exploiting, vote getting, and party aggrandizing. It is hard to know whose intersting is being served; what is good for the country seems to be low in priority. Cynical? You bet I am. When I hear politicians begin to sound like statesmen again and not partyliners, then I will have hope for right motives and right results. If this visit were a collaboration of the White House and Congress, perhaps there would be hope for effective diplomacy. The world does need to see a united front in American policy, and we need to know that we have mature leaders who understand the power of words and clear vision. Informed, dedicated statesmen, not loose cannons (or canons).
Your comments concerning the rights of congress userp the presidents responsibility: Ms. Pelosi has a hidden agenda, this is after 3 months as head of the House. She promissed to oversee that “Pork Barrel” would stop, but the bill to limit the war has over 120 billion dollars in it in “Pork”. This “Pork” was the purcahse of votes to have her bill passed, and for what? The congress cannot stop the war, only impeach the president. If Ms. Pelosi really wanted to do something, she should have followed through with her promise to eliminate “Pork” from bills.
Isn’t it amazing that a bill before congress even has to have add-ons to receive the necessary votes? I do not pretend to know foreign policy, today and for tomorrow. Ms. Pelosi going to the Middle East was a mistake for all future presidents of any party. I do not like war, but we are there and we need to seek a proper way to finish it. The divisions that the media create are causing the greatest problems for any foreign policy that we have. Everyone said our approach to North Korea was wrong, but it seems we now have a country willing to disarm. Our U/E is low, counrty is prosperous, and still we look to see what Bush has done wrong.
FYI, Clinton fired all attorenys at one point also, where is your fair reporting about this? [What on earth has this got to do with the topic of my column? I agree fully that the attorney issue is a non-issue. Is this some lurch toward attacking me? You’ve stuck to the issue so far in you response; I suggest you continue to do the same.] I look forward to your response or anyones who would like to properly discuss your views and or any one.
Ilana,
Well, you know, after several days of foaming at the mouth about Nancy and her babushka tour of the Middle East, I am pleased to read your article this morning. It’s easy to lose perspective these days. One’s hatred of liberals and disappointment with so-called conservatives, or what passes for them today, can easily set me off in the contemplation of firing squads, blindfolds and cigarettes. This is probably why it is a good thing I am not president.
Your understanding and illumination of the Constitution is most helpful in reining me in to a more rational approach. And it’s easier on my psyche, what’s left of it.
Steve Hayes
Utah
I take acception to the matter of any commendation for Syria or Jordan taking in 1.6 million Iraqi refugees. Syria and Jordan are the two countries whose people created the so-called “Palestinian” people–yet Syria and Jordan absolutely refused to take any of them back when Israel was developing. The Iraqi refuge is a publicity stunt, just like the “Palestinians.” All to prick at Israel.
[Rational argument is one that distills the facts of a case; inferring the motivation of actions, as you have done, is neither here nor there, and contributes nothing to rational debate. Moreover, Syria has not made hay of taking in Iraqis WE caused to be displaced. If not for me, you’d not know of it. Second, you are saying that b/c Syria has been pathetic in its conduct with Israel; it deserves no credit for its assistance to Iraqis. (They like Arabs, but not Jews; Just as we are more disposed to being nicer to Israelis than Arabs.) I don’t need to explain why this tack is irrational. In the context of Israel, vis-Ã -vis Syria, I stated my position in the column. I also made the point that our interests are different from Israel’s.—ILANA]
Hi Ilana,
Foreign policy is the perview of the executive, not the Speaker of the House. [Not true; it’s shared between Congress and the executive.] Ms. Pelosi was conducting foreign policy, not trade agreements. I conclude her “visit” was detrimental to US foreign policy and therefore dangerous as we are a nation at war and only one foreign policy should be advanced, that of the one authorized by the constitution to do it. The congress is not authorized to conduct foreign policy, only to approve or disapprove of agreements made by the executive.
Thank you for your columns. They keep me thinking even if I am not in total agreement with them at times.
Richard Wavle
Montgomery, Al.
TOO independent for your own good, Ilana, and the nation’s. The president alone conducts foreign policy, not a House Speaker intent on her own agenda. And how ditzy!: “Israel wants to talk with you, Syria!” Try her and boot her out of the Congress.
[See reply above.]
Ilana,
While you may reject my recommendations for documentary movies i.e. “must-see” titles, I most certainly respect your global political acumen. [I don’t recall rejecting anything…]
Could you please describe the genesis of the “classical” part of your liberal persona, so that I might offer some sage advice to my daughters, who apparently adore you?
A list of essential readings would be appreciated, as they are both in university, and still impressionable.
Autographed photos might suffice, for now….
[Your dear daughters are clearly gems who get the philosophy of freedom, upon which this great country was founded, and which it has abandoned. Rejoice that they have come to this philosophy while in the academy; it usually inculcates in the young everything but Jeffersonian ideas.
If by quizzing me you imply that they may need to be steered away from the American ideas of individualism and self-government—then it is you who may need their counsel more than they yours.
I wish I had time to correspond at length, but I don’t. (Please tell your girls how buoyed I am that there are youngsters in the left-liberal academy who think independently as they do. I’d love them to partake on my blog. I extend an invitation.)
My columns/essays almost always include references. It’s about taking the time to work through the columns and extract the references. I have links on my Links Page to great classical liberal sites. My website is easy to navigate. Begin with Ludwig von Mises and the great heroes of the Old Right, such as Felix Morley, Frank Chodorov, Garet Garrett, and John T. Flynn.
Thank you for telling me about your lovely girls.
ILANA]