“I should probably clarify here, at least in a broad stroke, my own political leanings. I generally consider myself conservative in many respects, but have been leaning more moderate on many issues lately. I cannot call myself a Republican anymore, though I once did, as the GOP has, in my mind, become a party that does not represent my thoughts. I prefer a different form of conservative political thought than that which passes for “conservative” in contemporary political parlance. Perhaps it gives you some indication of my inclinations if I mention that George Will is one of my absolute favorite writers, and that I despise Ann Coulter.
I provide this information not to show off my conservative bona fides, but rather to help explain why I was moved to write you and offer a heartfelt “thank you” for the piece you wrote about Senator Miller’s speech. I found myself in 100% agreement with what you wrote. I was thoroughly disgusted by the speech, and I have been angered too often in recent times by the attempts of the Republicans to monopolize patriotism, and to paint all legitimate opposition as “treason”. This is why I responded so strongly to your piece– it seemed to have come straight from my own thoughts on the speech, and it was welcome relief to find a prominent conservative writer who expressed so clearly and forcefully the very thoughts echoing in my head, both after that speech, and in general.” More response (and most has been virulently hostile) on the Letters Page.
Oh: and a bleg. I’m trying to track down a quote I read somewhere from Zell Miller. It may be true, or not. But it went something like: “Lyndon Johnson has sold his soul for a bowl of dark pottage.” He was referring to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Anybody know the provenance of this remark? Or did I misread something somewhere?
The Dish 