“Slave-holding agro-phile Jefferson was not too sophisticated in his understanding of economics. He drove himself into debt for one thing; his friends held a lottery at one point late in his life to raise money for him. Turning to him for a quote on debt is like turning to Larry King for an analysis of hip hop music. How about quoting instead our first Secretary of the Treasury, who said ‘a national debt, if it is not excessive, will be to us a national blessing?'” Ouch. More ouches on the Letters Page.
UKIP’S STAR: Here’s a useful profile of Robert Kilroy-Silk, the suave British version of Phil Donahue who led the UK Independence Party to 17 percent of the vote in last week’s European elections. One thing worth recalling about him. He was fired by the BBC for making allegedly Islamophobic remarks. I wonder if his public support comes somewhat from that. He’s a mix of Bill O’Reilly and Pim Fortuyn. Dick Morris advised the UKIP and brags about it (justifiably, I guess) here.
BROOKHISER ON DERBYSHIRE: Just two elegant and kindly put-downs – here and here of National Review’s out-and-proud bigot, John Derbyshire.
The Dish 