July 1, 2006
The Greeks had a word for it: hubris. Coming from the alpha and the omega of the ideological spectrum, U.S. journalist Beinart (columnist, the "New Republic") and British author Murray ("Bosie: A Biography of Lord Alfred Douglas") each claims that he knows the one true political faith, which just happens to be his own. Beinart recounts postwar liberalism -s wanderings -how Americans for Democratic Action begat Students for a Democratic Society, which begat the Democratic Leadership Council, etc. -though conservatives use a different hymnal for this history. He faults liberals for positions that have weakened America abroad and for inattention to defining the nation -s international role. He would resurrect the Marshall Plan to fight terrorism, though the record of foreign aid in kleptocracies makes this an unlikely solution. Like Beinart, Murray supported the Iraq War and its goal to proclaim liberty throughout the land, but given the arguments he presents, why not also invade the rest of the world -s illiberal regimes? He defends Iraq by bashing Noam Chomsky and other pastors without congregations. America -s purgatory began in the 1960s, says Murray (b. 1979), and there -s just too much taxation, welfare, government, and crime. What -s -neo - about saying that? Who knows, for his first page confesses that -neoconservatism does not have a manifesto. - In short, while salvation is promised here, we are not delivered. Murray -s book is not recommended, while Beinart -s is an optional purchase for larger libraries." - Michael O. Eshleman, Kings Mills, OH"
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