BackboneAmerica

(Andrews in Denver Post, Mar. 4) “Excessive, that’s the word. Any European can instantly spot us Americans by our excessiveness. I lived there for years, and I know.”

The instructor had asked our discussion group to sum up America in a word, much as St. Paul once cast all Cretians as “liars and beasts.” An affluent-looking man in a jogging suit answered first, scorn in his voice: We are an excessive people.

Americans, he said, consume too much, talk too loud, presume more than we should. Others leveled similar criticisms. America is grossly materialistic. America is overly assertive.

Everyone’s assertiveness so far had been on the side of self-dislike. Aren’t we a generous people as well, the instructor prompted. Now voices chimed in from the other side. Americans are optimistic, innovative, resourceful, religious. We’re spirited and confident. We’re friendly.

Were the boosters entirely right? No. Did the critics have a point? Sure. But on that Sunday here in the land of liberty, the lap of plenty, I was troubled at the sourness toward our country expressed by some of my neighbors. I was struck by the hesitancy of others to admit their patriotic pride. I saw anti-Americanism, the virus from abroad, now infecting the homeland. (more…)

Update after 3/4 show: Go to DivestTerror.org, part of Frank Gaffney’s national security effort, for more about the push to cut off US investment in companies that do business with our enemy in Iran — as I discussed on air with California Assemblyman Joel Anderson. Economist Richard Vedder has out a terrific book on Wal-Mart, another great one on the higher education funding racket, and this devasting expose’ of self-promotion by public universities. Former State Rep. Brad Young is weak on what to put in TABOR’s place if we don’t want government to grow, but his thoughtfully skeptical book on TABOR will make you think.

Join us on radio every Sunday, 5-8pm on 710 KNUS, Denver
To listen online from anywhere, click 710knus.com
————————————————————————
Vice President Dick Cheney is okay, thank God, after what was probably an Al Qaeda attempt on his life (costing a score of other lives) in Afghanistan this week. I heard the news while in Washington with Claremont for a series of national security meetings with senators and congressmen.

What if the assassins had gotten Cheney, we asked each other in one meeting. Would it have rallied America and stiffened our national will to win? Or would it only have deepened the defeatism that is already so strong among our political and media elites? The question must be asked. The bombing itself is a reminder this war is real and the enemy is relentless.

On Capitol Hill, we talked with Reps. Mike Pence (R-IN), John Culberson (R-TX), Trent Franks (R-AZ), and Jeff Flake (R-AZ), as well as House freshmen Michele Bachmann (R-MN) and Doug Lamborn (R-CO). Sens. Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Jim DeMint (R-SC) inspired us with their backbone. But it’s a tough time for Republicans – and conservatives especially – with Democrats now running things. (more…)