FROM OUR INBOX
Trumpists – not to mention the Dim-ocrats – seem to be “ideology uber alles”. You seem to be still able to think, which makes you a minority. Plus your books were very funny. God bless –Joe S. P.J. O’Rourke Response: Joe, I respond with gratitude. Ideology and all other forms of idealism add unnecessary layers of complication to simple human nature. They’re the “Occum’s hammer” way of responding to reality. My old friend Christopher Buckley (who writes really funny books) recently alerted me to a quote from H. L. Mencken: “An idealist is a person who, having noticed that a rose smells better than a cabbage, decides the rose will make a better soup.” Re: The Future of the GOP Hi Buck, Really liked your piece today about former President Trump and the future of the GOP. And totally agree with you that Florida is a great state and applaud Gov. DeSantis for his vision to keep the state open vs lockdown. I believe Trumpwill be too old to run again in 2024, but he could help the GOP regain majorities in the House and Senate. And given that he is being cancelled on various media outlets, he may be able to launch a newmedia service that helps conservatives. Always enjoy reading American Consequences on a daily basis. – Lois L. Buck Sexton Response: Thanks so much for your kind feedback, Lois. Gov. DeSantis has come through the pandemic as a national- level political figure and a hero to many conservatives across the nation. His state has become a beacon of freedom during a time
P.J. O’Rourke Response: Rick, I refer you to Thea above and her threats of a spanking with Occum’s razor strap. When it comes to the CIA, you’ll have to ask Buck Sexton. I was never considered worthy of recruitment. That said, half a century of reporting has brought me into contact with a lot of people in the intelligence business (or who I’m pretty darn sure were in the intelligence business). Mostly I’ve found them good company – even those who were on the “other side.” And mostly their work involves research drudgery, of the kind that would make for a very dull James Bond movie. As a good friend of mine, who has Top Secret clearance at an intelligence agency that will go nameless, says, “I could tell you what I do, but I’d have to bore you to death first.” Re: America’s Populism Problem I very, very rarely comment on articles but I have to say your article on populism is spot on and very thought provoking. All too few people can write with this kind of razor- sharp analysis. – Cosman T. P.J. O’Rourke Response: Cosman, I greatly appreciate the compliment. But what is it with razors in this month’s Inbox? We can’t seem to get away from the subject. Thank you for calling me sharp. I try to keep an edge in my writing, but, frankly, there are some kinds of analysis that probably should be done with a hammer instead of a Gillette Blue Blade. PJ, You have long been my favorite conservative. Both the McConnels and the
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March 2021
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