Opaque Lucidity

When Conservatives Go Bad

I believe, as a conservative, that we need to be our own hardest critics. With this in mind, I point you towards this column from Pat Buchanan which focuses on the drumbeat of war supposedly sounding for Iran.

Israel and its Fifth Column in this city seek to stampede us into war with Iran. Bush should rebuff them...

As most of you know, the term 'fifth column' refers to a group inside a nation or organization that is planning or acting against said nation or organization while appearing to be loyal. So in his column, Buchanan is accusing supporters of Israel in the United States of being disloyal to our nation. I love this country, but there's something more: I'm a huge supporter of Israel.

I'm not a fan of Israel because it's the Jewish homeland. I'm a supporter because Israel is the only functioning democracy in the Middle East (Iraq is trying, but there's a long way to go) and, with a few exceptions, has been a staunch ally of the United States. The threats from Tel Aviv against Iran are not drumbeats of war, but words meant to keep the Iranians and their religious leaders from attacking Israel. If you doubt that a nuclear-armed Iran would attack Israel, you haven't been paying attention for the last 30 years or so.

Buchanan is trying to hold Israel in the same light in which Jews are portrayed in every anti-semitic piece of literature since 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion': a ruthless group trying to run the country of which they are citizens and wage war against anyone who stands in their way. This isn't Buchanan's first piece which showcases his anti-semitism, nor will it be his last, I'm afraid.

I used to be a Buchanan fan. He was a staunch conservative of the old school, which meant he was against foreign entanglements, larger government and for personal responsibility. Now, he reminds me of David Duke, the racist masquerading as an intelligent man whose biases are backed by some sort of facts. It's probably a good thing, Pat, that no one wants to have anything to do with you. Maybe one day you'll disappear all together.