I liked this list of "The 20 Most Annoying People on the Right. Some of the folks appearing on the list have been dealt with here on this blog -- for example, Larry Kudlow -- but there are worthwhile comments about each winner.
14. Jerry Lewis: The Republican pork king of the House.
I'd have to agree that anyone earning such a title eminently deserves a spot on this list, especially when up against such heavy hitters as Dennis Hastert (House) and Ted Stevens (Senate). Both of whom, by the way, also earned spots, as numbers 13 and 12, respectively. I was also happy to see the #1 spot awarded to John McCain, Mr. Free Speech himself.
But for an "Honorable Mention" I'll go ahead and nominate Mark Krikorian, who has offered a cure for much of what ails America: take away more liberty, specifically that of young people. He not only claims that conscripting young'uns into military and civilian service would be good for them and for the country, he goes beyond that to mock any possible moral arguments against it by terming it "libertarian cowflop."
As a further -- dishonorable -- mention, I'd nominate conservative pundits in general: only one moral objection was raised to Kirkorian's statement (it was Andew Stuttaford). Offensive as it was, only one writer at The Corner saw fit to object to it. Apparently "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" is up for...what? Popular referendum? A vote? The will of the majority as determined by, say, some contest on American Idol?
(And how well do you think American voters would do, in terms of preserving individual rights and liberties? Let me offer one tiny example: I searched online, today, for "libertarian cowflop," and didn't find much. Ryan Sager blogged it, and received 0 comments for his trouble.
To all of you libertarian conservatives, paleo-conservatives, libertarians of conservative bent, whatever you like to call yourselves, and particularly to Objectivist supporters of Bush and the Republicans: these are your purported allies on the Right. Note well how highly they regard you and your views.
Posted by Craig Ceely at January 16, 2007 04:03 PM