Friday -- March 25, 2005
 A
POLITICAL PRICE TO PAY? APPARENTLY SO.
 So,
there he was ... Randall Terry, the anti-abortion zealot, screaming outside of
the nursing home housing Terri Schiavo. He was screaming something about
"hell to pay" if Terri Schiavo dies. He then went on to
rant a bit about all of the work that the anti-abortion movement did to elect
these Republicans, and that now is the time for them to deliver and perform.
You know what? This time Randall Terry may just be right. There
just may be a political price to pay. But Terry is right for the wrong
reasons. Republicans may pay a political price not because they didn't do
enough to prolong the torture of Terri Schiavo, but because they did too much.
Have you seen today's approval ratings for President Bush? They're
down. Way down. He's down to 45%. He was at 52% one week
ago. This is the lowest point in his presidency. These polls are not
because he hasn't done enough in the Schiavo matter. The downtrend is
because he did too much. The largest loss of support was among
conservative male church-goers. A majority of the American people were not
impressed with the Republican Party's late night grandstanding this past Sunday,
and Bush's rush back to Washington to sign a bill in the early hours of the
morning.
Maybe conservative Republican politicians can learn a lesson from this.
They were elected to reduce the size and intrusiveness of the Imperial Federal
Government of the United States. They were elected to reduce our tax
burden and lower government spending. They were elected to defend us
against threats from abroad, specifically the threat of Islamic terrorism ...
and to do so with preemptive action if necessary. In spite of the
delusions of grandeur of the abortocentrist crowd and religious extremists,
George Bush was not elected to facilitate a government takeover of the ovaries
of every fertile American woman, nor was he elected to establish a
theocracy.
Perhaps Republicans will take note. I truly believe that their control
of the House of Representatives may be in jeopardy in next year's
elections. Perhaps they'll learn from this. Maybe they'll start
dancing with who brung them for a change, and pay attention to spending and tax
cuts, school choice, national defense and individual liberty.
Some lessons are just learned the hard way.
CANADA
GETS IT RIGHT
Finally a reasonable decision from our near-socialist neighbors to the
north. Since the war in Iraq began two years ago, a small number of U.S.
soldiers have decided that they didn't want to go to Iraq. They just
didn't seem to understand that joining the U.S. armed forces meant that they
might actually find themselves in harm's way. Some tried and failed to
become conscientious objectors, others were just AWOL. So they fled to
Canada, thinking that they would be able to hang out there and request
asylum.
Well, starting yesterday, it's not working. U.S. Army paratrooper
Jeremy Hinzman decided he was going to live in Toronto and apply for asylum,
telling the Canadians that if he were to perform his duties in Iraq, he would be
forced to commit atrocities against civilians. The Immigration and Refugee
board didn't buy it. They singled out his stance that he would be
willing to return to the Army, so long as he didn't have to serve in
combat. Bad move.
The ruling from the board read, in part: "I find Mr. Hinzman's position to
be inherently contradictory. Surely an intelligent young man like Mr.
Hinzman, who believes the war in Iraq to be illegal, unjust and waged for
economic reasons, would be unwilling to participate in any capacity, whether as
combatant or noncombatant." Oops. Hinzman is going to appeal the
ruling, but he probably won't get very far.
The truth is that Hinzman is a coward. Nothing more, nothing
less.
The United States has an all-volunteer Army for a reason. Unless you want
to face the possibility of fighting and dying in a war, don't join.
Hopefully the next step will be shipping this pantywaist back to his unit to be
prosecuted.
BOBBY
FISCHER, INTERNATIONAL OUTLAW
 Bobby
Fischer, so-called "chess master" best known for defeating the Soviet
Boris Spassky in a chess match 33 years ago in Iceland, has finally been given
citizenship by that country and was flown there yesterday from Japan.
Fischer is wanted by the United States government for defying a warning not to
play a chess match in Yugoslavia, which at the time had sanctions placed on
it. He did it anyway, and he's been on the run ever since.
For some reason, Fischer decided it would be a good idea to travel to Japan on
an invalid U.S. passport. He was detained, and seemed to be facing
deportation to the United States. Iceland, for some reason, decided to
save the day and bring him there. But what is most interesting about this
case are some of the comments Mr. Fischer has made about the United
States. It turns out he is quite the character, and even and
anti-Semite. Check out some of his comments:
"The United States is an illegitimate country ... just like the bandit
state of Israel. The Jews have no right to be there. It belongs to the
Palestinians...."
"That country, the United States, belongs to the red man, the American
Indian. ... It's actually a shame to be a so-called American because everybody
living there is ... an invader."
"Bush does not respect law. It's like in the comics, like Billy Batson used
to say 'Shazaaam!' and he becomes Captain Marvel." Bush "just says
'Enemy Combatant! Now you have no legal rights.' It's a farce."
He has also said that the 9/11 attacks were "wonderful news" and that
he wanted to see the U.S. wiped out. We have an extradition treaty with
Iceland. Hopefully we can bring Mr. Fischer right back here and throw him
in prison, where he can play chess with his new boyfriend for the next 10 years.
Have fun, Iceland. He's all yours.
WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN YOU COMPLAIN
Neal will be on Larry King Live TONIGHT 9-10pm Eastern |
Yesterday I was telling you that my affiliate radio stations were getting
complaints about my position on the Terri Schiavo matter. Not
surprising. I've been doing this stuff for 36 years, and if you learn
anything in that time you will learn that there are some people out there who
emotionally and intellectually can't handle hearing an opinion expressed that
differs from their own. Oh dear! They're great fans; great fans as
long as you're on the radio reinforcing their own positions. But the
moment you step forward and challenge their opinions and actually make them
think, things change. Most of you can't understand this but some people
get very, very uncomfortable when they're made to actually think. After
all, it's not something you're exactly taught in school any more. So, as
soon as these people start feeling the discomfort that accompanies the thinking
process, they start sending emails to their radio stations demanding that I be
removed from the air. I wonder why these "listeners" don't just make a
tape recording of some of their favorite viewpoints on a variety of subjects,
and then just spend a few hours every day nodding their heads in agreement while
listening to their own tapes. It seems like an ideal situation for so many
of these complainers, especially since growing up doesn't seem to be a possible
alternative.
At any rate, I thought you would like to see what some of the radio stations
are saying to us about your complaints. Here's just one sample. You
must know that I'm not going to tell you which station this is, but here's what
they had to say to us:
"The complaints have been rolling in today. That's awesome. it has been a
while since we've gotten so much static. He needs to rock the boat more
often."
Keep those emails coming folks. The stations love hearing from you.
NOW
... FOR SOME SELF-SERVING STUFF
It's the end of the week. I've been taking a beating all week long because of
my position on the Schiavo matter. Interesting, isn't it. Bush and I are on
opposite ends of this, and we're both getting hammered.
Well ... something odd happened yesterday. The email switched from
"You are the spawn of Satan" to "We love you!" Well ..
I want to go out of this week feeling good about myself, so I putting some
positive emails here at the end of Nealz Nuze.
- Dear Neal, I've listened to your show for about 4 years now. I grew up on
the Godfather and from the first listening to your show I knew I had found a
new favorite talk show host. Aside from all this absurd praise I wanted to
say thank you for your column and commentary on the Schiavo case. As a
fellow Libertarian I have to thank you for putting the discussion in such a
way that even a Liberal can understand.
- Thank you for this column. This is the most rational, reasonable, and
clear thinking piece I've read on this issue. I've hesitated and avoided
discussion on this issue because of the militant and aggressive orthodox
onslaught by the Right (which I agree with on most issues). You've given me
ammunition to carry on in my own views, which are about the same as yours.
- I didn't know you had it in you! What an incredibly moving and
touching column.
- Nice job. Very lucid and reasoned to all knee-jerk opinions. A pleasure to
read. Man, are you bald!!!
- Neil, your essay on why Terri Schiavo has earned the right to die is an
achingly beautiful piece of work. May she die in peace.
- Neal: Thank you for a rational, sensitive (know it's not your forte) view
on the Terri Schiavo case. If only people would listen. I have:
- You never cease to amaze me with some of your comments. I'm pretty
darn conservative and go along with almost everything you "believe
in" but I don't always agree with the abruptness of your message. But,
this Townhall.com article on Terry. WOW. You hit it! And
from both sides - I don't think any right-to-lifer or acclaimed Christian
can argue with you in any way. Incredible and absolutely great
questions!!!
- Neal, I wanted to comment on your wonderful essay regarding the Terri
Schiavo catastrophe. You are right!!!!! Hell, you are almost
always right, and don't tell my husband... The poor woman has been
tortured for 15 years and it is time to let God and nature step an and do
their job. I feel for the families involved and pray for them. She
needs to be set free. I know that God is waiting with open arms. Neal,
I am shaking as I am writing this to you...this is the first time that I
have ever written to anyone of importance...(sorry honey), so I hope this is
received well. So keep up the good work and the bad attitude.
Hope you are coming up to Dayton sometime soon, I'd love to meet you...and
so would my husband.
- I'm very disappointed with you and have lost respect for you in this
matter. You are now on the same side as Barney Frank and John
Lewis. (Well, I didn't say that all of the messages were
positive.)
- I have to admit, you are absolutely right about the way we should think
about this case. It is like you turned on a light and cut through the
emotions. I'm a bit embarrassed that you would have to point this out to me,
but thank you.
- I just finished reading your Townhall article and all I can
say is, WOW. For weeks now I have been trying to put into words why I felt
Terri should be allowed to die. You did it for me. I've gone over all the
court documents that are available, though I'm not a lawyer, and I agree
with what the courts have done but, it just didn't seem to be enough. Thank
you sir, for writing what I couldn't articulate myself.
- Neal, your article finally tipped the scales of my opinion of this Schiavo
matter. I felt like John Kerry for a while because I kept flip-flopping my
position about how I felt, but the article you wrote finally pinned it down
for me. For years I have held the belief that there is so much more to life
and existence than the 70-80 years of life on earth, and what you have said
captures the essence of how I truly feel. It appears that the emotionally
charged content of this case has caused people, myself included, to focus
too narrowly on the immediate moment and not examine the big picture. The
logic that you have espoused, like that "laser beam of truth" your
voiceover guy speaks of, cuts thru the emotional bullcrap that contaminates
and clouds judgment. Thank you for clearing this up for everyone.
- Because she's earned it brought tears to my eyes. As an ICU nurse I
have seen many , many things, have witnessed many people needlessly suffer
in agony with tubes in and out every orifice of their bodies/ being kept
artificially alive. We pump on their chests, send volts of electricity thru
their chests to keep them alive/ pour enormous amounts of life saving
drugs through them. They poop themselves as they have no control over their
bowels ...we have to clean them so often they get raw... the bedsores they
get from wasting away...There are many more gross things the average person
doesn't think about that goes on behind closed doors The indignity of
it all because of families selfishness or guilt or both .. You
stated it so well. God will be there for Terri. He will make her whole
again in heaven. Neal you are my new Hero in radio
- I wish you would Judo Chop net dog and the other cruddy email person
for only letting you see negative emails. We think y'all are
great !
- I disagree with your views most of the time, but I must say - a most
eloquent post. You pose some questions that many of your brethren
really do not want to answer...Peggy Noonan jumps immediately to mind.
- I wasn't entirely convinced that your position on the Schiavo case was
purely Libertarian in nature, but I didn't know the true angle of your
reasoning. Your article most assuredly clarified your position, and
after reading it, I now understand my reservations about wanting to keep her
alive. Terri's advocates are not fighting for soul but, rather, are
fighting to forestall their own sorrow.
Last night I was sharing some of these messages with my wife. She just
looked at me and said, "Remember ... We are eternal. Life is
not." It's just that simple, isn't it?
Random image that fell off the internet posted here for no
apparent reason
READING ASSIGNMENTS
Is there really a 'new' diagnosis for Terri Schiavo? Dr.
(and Republican) Elizabeth Whelan says the idea that Terri is in anything
more than a persistent vegetative state is pure nonsense.
Ashley Smith met with the governor of Georgia yesterday and
picked up her $70,000 reward for turning in the courthouse shooter Brian
Nichols. That's probably the best $70,000 the government has spent in a
long time.
The University of Colorado put out its report on Ward Churchill yesterday.
Their conclusion? No action will be taken...yet. Michelle
Malkin reports.
With oil over $55 a barrel and gasoline over $2 a gallon, what is the solution
to America's dependence on foreign oil? Max
Boot cites a list of solutions, and says the US has to have the will to do
them all.
How's come we aren't hearing from the usual chorus of gun control advocates over
the school shootings in Minnesota? Steve
Chapman says there's a very good reason why.
Universities are increasingly being criticized for their anti-Americanism and
leftist teachings. Mona
Charen says it's starting to have an effect, and talks about some remarks by
he president of Columbia.
Thomas
Sowell addresses the Terri Schiavo case in his column....and has an
interesting take. He doesn't agree with the actions of the husband, and
explains why.
Democrats have realized that religion is big at the polls and have decided it's
time to convert. Rich
Lowry talks about Howard Dean's trip into red state country, where he even
quoted the Scripture.
Which has a better return: Social Security, or the stock market? If you
listen to the AARP and the left, Social Security. Allen
Reynolds says it's not even close....the stock market wins hands-down.
George Bush's repeated pushing of Social Security reform is very unusual...and
shows he's not backing down from a political fight. Emmett
Tyrrel looks at the president's Social Security campaign. |
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