The American Left has a motto with regards to their anti-war (re: anti-America) stance: "No enemies in the anti-war movement." It is because of that position that Leftists make common cause with the likes of Stormfront types, i.e., American Nazis and neo-Fascists.
The Right might want to take a look at its own tent and make some adjustments to avoid similarly damaging associations. Two examples: Ann Coulter and the so-called "Against American Empire" crowd.
At this point, Coulter's abusive language can only hurt the positive message of the Republican Party. Last night at the CPAC convention, she invoked the p-word (pu**y) on several occasions. I expect such language from George Carlin -- he can get away with it, since it suits his ribald schtick and reputation. As for Ms. Coulter, though, the cult of personality she's built over these past few years accords her no such pass - her use of foul language does not jibe with the seriousness of the issues she tackles. It also detracts from her intellectual and physical attractiveness. Perhaps she should rope her act in, just a bit.
Though CPAC is essentially a smorgasbord of conservative ideas from mild to extreme, it was nevertheless disturbing to find that Conservatives for Peace (CFP), a group with links to antisemitic and neofascist websites, had a display booth at the exhibition.
Under the guise of classic American isolationism, CFP and other such antisemites and closet leftists set themselves up as standard bearers of American patriotism. It is an old story: prior to America's involvement in World War II, similar groups denounced FDR and ominously warned of an impending American Fascism. We were to lose our freedoms under the mobilization for war. Obviously nothing of the sort occurred; indeed, the opposite occurred as American freedom expanded opportunities for women and African Americans during the war effort.
Of course, American might also expanded freedom throughout much of the world as Fascism and Nazism were crushed and Communism was contained - details that the "Americans Against Empire" crowd conveniently ignore. For that, they in turn deserve to be ignored and dumped out of the conservative tent, since antisemitism, extreme isolationism and making common cause with one's ideological enemies are things antithetical to the Conservative ethos. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- cross-posted on Calderon's Whirlwind.
