![]() |
David Weir's review of David Horowitz's latest book was about as good a review as can be expected from as partisan an online magazine as Salon. While granting Horowitz his due on a few points, Weir states that Horowitz sometimes "undercuts his own arguments with hyperbole." He then quotes Horowitz, "In our time, the revolutions of the left have created despotism and oppression that dwarf all others on human record." Weir parenthetically responds to this by noting, "What about Genghis Khan? Tamerlane? Hitler?" Well, Mr. Weir, what about Stalin (obvious)? The Cultural Revolution in China (maybe more than 20 million dead, an act that occurred while leftist students took to the streets chanting the joys of Chairman Mao)? And I hope you haven't forgotten about the Khmer Rouge. Leftist idealism and the over-intellectualization of human problems have had extremely negative impacts on humans in this century. But most liberals tend to ignore this, because for them it's less about results than about intent: "I care about this problem, thus my solution to fix it must be right." And when the results come back wrong or when a person such as Christopher Hitchens strays from the flock, liberals betray just how much more they care for these ideas over the people they weep for and "truths" they so passionately proclaim. But it's in the end of the review where it becomes obvious that Weir has stumbled across something that probably hasn't hit him yet. Weir writes that Horowitz "had effectively deconstructed the left but had not yet articulated a compelling case for the right." Certainly humans will never agree on the perfect solution to a particular problem, but we can certainly all agree that certain answers are just plain wrong. This is the point that Horowitz makes week after week here at Salon, and it's the point that most readers continue to miss. Because for them, it's not politics; it's theology. -- Paul D. Thacker In regard to David Horowitz's new book, I, for one, am delighted that he has joined the "other side." As someone who generally identifies himself as a "leftist," I genuinely hope that Horowitz continues to write columns and books. For his work is amateurish, even comical. Indeed, I often get a hearty laugh at his propositions -- and his thinking so discredits the very positions he wishes to advance that I am grateful for his opposition. Keep it up. Right on! -- John Summers I just wanted to drop Salon a line to say thank you for the Dark Hotel. I couldn't believe when I saw it. As one of the original readers of the misfit lit. series (Series!? Two books were all the American public could support), I despaired thinking that Spain Rodriguez's artwork was lying in a filing cabinet somewhere gathering dust, never to see publication. I figured Penguin would hold on to the copyright. Well, I'm glad you guys got it. Are there any more finished outcasts from the misfits? And will Web publication be the only form this work now sees? Also, thanks for Carol Lay. I usually wait a couple of months to check her Story Minute out so it can be a story hour. -- Paul Candler Like so many, Bruce Shapiro has no taste for democracy, but simply wishes to rely on the dictates of an all-wise judiciary to take us where we ought to go, no matter what the law says. That is what is meant by the judge being an "innovator." If you wish to restrict gun ownership, campaign for it in the legislature, don't look for an elitist judiciary to provide it. -- R.D. Jacobs N E X T+P A G E+| I went to college with President Clinton |
Arts & Entertainment | Books | Comics | Life | News | People
Politics | Sex | Tech & Business | Audio
The Free Software Project | The Movie Page
Letters | Columnists | Salon Plus
Copyright © 2000 Salon.com All rights reserved.