The Conservative Revolution

The leftists show their true colors on Inauguration Day 2005.

The push for reform in the non-integrated world continues…

Kyrgyz Opposition Leaders are asking for early presidential elections and for a revote of the flawed parliamentary elections.

“The authorities are losing control of the situation. Current developments in southern Kyrgyzstan, where a rally has been going on since March 4, suggest that not only the opposition, but also the people want change in the authorities,” said Otunbayeva.

The Face of The Cedar Revolution in Lebanon.

I think the trend among young conservatives these days is that they are a little different from those of yesteryear. I’m not just talking about the neocon phenomenon. I am referring to the libertarian bent of the new breed of young conservative.

As I wrote in my book, they are less likely to want moralizing in their daily lives. They tend to want less regulations on drugs and guns, and less protectionist trade policies. They tend to like free trade, the free market and free thinking. Religion plays less of a role in their lives, and so do their parents’ worldviews.

I think that many of these post-911 conservatives are a mixture of rebellious teenagers, South Park Republicans and patriotic former liberals who woke up and smelled the coffee. They realized that the somewhat hedonistic pleasures they often enjoy are threatened by theocratic and fascist Islamists. Its kind of an interesting phenomenon.

I am today declaring the rise of the hawkish libertarians so that when it becomes a household name, I can be the “father” of this budding movement.

Just kidding. But seriously though, it would be cool.

YCT is at it again and the left is furious.

Here is video. Here is commentary on the event from my friend at Voice in the Wilderness.

Here is the letter I sent to the Daily Texan concerning the radical left
at UT-Austin.

A Daily Texan columnist described the leftists this way,

“At one point, I managed to wrestle my way to the front of the crowd and was hit in the back of the head by candy. Yes, candy. The “peaceful” protestors who will simply not stand for violence or hate had taken YCT’s candy and baked goods and were literally pelting the members with them. I even got to hear one charming girl yell at the YCT chairman, “Why won’t you fight me? I came here to fight. I want a fight.” It was horrific; it was mean spirited. It was the mob.”

This is an amazing quote from a pro-democracy Syrian. If it is true, then it shows the power of rhetoric and moral support as the keys to bringing change to the Mid-East. I think this is an incredible statement by someone inside Syria who wants the American people and the rest of the free world to support them. As Michael Ledeen says, “Faster, please.”

http://www.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/ghadry200503020754.asp

NRO: Are the people in Syria liable to be seriously encouraged by the Lebanese? Or is the Baath grip too strong?
Ghadry: In my talks with the Syrians inside Syria, they are resisting demonstrating because as one human-rights activist told me: “President Bush has yet to call for freedom for the Syrian people.”

President Bush needs to give a “Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall” speech to the Syrians.

This article by Max Boot in the LA Times also contains a fascinating quote:

“It’s strange for me to say it,” says Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt, who would never be mistaken for a Bush backer, “but this process of change has started because of the American invasion of Iraq.”"Now with the new Bush administration,” confirms former Lebanese President Amin Gemayel, “we feel a stronger determination in liberating Lebanon and in promoting democracy in the Middle East.”Maybe, just maybe, those neocons weren’t so nutty after all.”

Recent events in Lebanon got me thinking. I am predicting that the left will not support the pro-democratic elements in Lebanon; just as they have not supported the wars to liberate Afghanistan and Iraq. These are wars that allowed for elections in these countries, mind you.

This is from my friend at Front Page Magazine, Jamie Glazov.

“Despots and terrorists like Saddam and Osama are the greatest persecutors of all leftist ideals and values. How can the Left not be violently opposed to such figures and the systems they lead? Where are radical Western feminists, for instance, screaming for the rights of women under militant Islam?”

I love it. I think it captures the essence of the hypocrisy of the left when it comes to the war on terrorism. Just because they hate Bush, leftists refuse to support wars against terror regimes that would gladly kill them first because of their secular, hedonistic ways. The irony is maddening.

Another blow to the terror regimes of the Middle East was struck this week.
Here is a great piece by Michael Ledeen of AEI on National Review’s website:
http://www.nationalreview.com/ledeen/ledeen200503010752.asp

Recent events have proven that Arabs are not only capable but are willing to fight for their freedom and democracy.

I guess you could say that Bush and his neocons have been somewhat vindicated by the election in Iraq and the people’s uprising in Lebanon.

Also, significant changes are occurring in Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Palestine and Bahrain. In five years who knows what kind of progress our Arab brothers and sisters will make toward democracy. We should all support them in their brave efforts.

My personal bank account just got hacked again. Thanks to Pay Pal and CitiBank, some loser bought himself a laptop with the money from my book sales. I have decided to quit the online banking industry and retreat hermit-like into a privacy kookdom. Enough already. If these small-time criminals can get my money and personal information, just think what the government could do with it if they get it. I have not really been a huge privacy nut until this point, since I didn’t fully understand the implications. Now that it has happened to me, I imagine I will be more vocal about such issues. I hope this criminal is enjoying his precious laptop, because if I track him down there will be Texas justice to pay.

I just returned from Austin, Tx where I attended the 25th anniversary convention of YCT. I was able to meet Fred Barnes and Dinesh D’Souza, two very eloquent and brilliant conservatives. I also got to hear Congressman Ron Paul speak about his libertarian-far-right views on everything from economic policy to foreign affairs. There was a fiery and vigorous debate among the conservatives in attendance. There seems to be a healthy contingent of paleocons, neocons and libertariancons. I, for one, am grateful we have such a vibrant debate in the conservative movement. Unlike the Democrats, we have ideas for moving the country foreward. I cherish being a member of a movement that debates and engages itself in exactly how to achieve our common goals of limited government, individual liberty and the rule of law.