It is a real privilege to have the responsibility of writing a weekly column for The Sun Times. As noted regularly in the paper itself, my views are definitely conservative and I make no pretense of being a middle of the roader. All of us have a degree of bias and you should be very suspect of anyone who claims to be completely objective.
The progressive columnists to The Sun Times have their own bias and with an exception or two write columns that are reasonable. We should all read or listen to opinions that differ from ours if for no other reason to determine how ridiculous can be their logic. Another reason is one of pity. When you realize Cleburne County voters gave Obama 26 percent of the votes in 2008. Just imagine how many votes he would receive today – maybe 10 percent?
About two or three times a week I read the infamous and now discredited New York Times for my literary punishment. Here are some excerpts from just one edition dated Saturday, June 26th.
A front page story (not supposed to be an opinion piece) describes how Governor Bobby Jindahl of Louisiana, a Republican like most governors of the southern states, is very critical of the Federal agencies’ response to the oil spill. The reporter says experts (not identified) say such antagonism could actually slow down the response.
Our prize-winning reporter says that being highly critical is justifiable since the locals suffered through the Federal response in the Katrina disaster.
Get that folks – this displeasure of the response by the Federal Government is really George Bush’s fault. This reporter then goes on to assert that the response is lacking because the governor (after all, it is noted he is a Republican) cut funds for the Louisiana oil spill coordinator’s officer. The entire article is only a slightly disguised attempt to discredit Bobby Jindahl and exonerate the Federal Government.
Now let’s move to the opinion page where nothing is disguised as being fair and balanced. The leading editorial is an attempt to justify Obama’s six-month moratorium on deep water drilling. The editorial insists that drilling should not resume until it is certain the Interior Department has done its job.
That being described as the industry who had agreed to develop safer drilling techniques as prescribed by the Feds. This writer claims the agency ignored their own studies about the perils of deep water drilling and gave permits to BP without insisting on proof that its backup systems would work at 5,000 foot depth. Just how do you suppose BP or any other oil company can offer proof of any system backup until actually put to the test?
There is no mention of the effect on the economy in the Gulf States or how the moratorium will displace the jobs of tens of thousands of workers.
The New York Times and its “East of the Hudson” mentality will not concern itself on this issue. They are dealing here with Republican governors and many uneducated redneck voters who don’t support the Eastern elite.
The next issue addressed in the N.Y. Times editorial pages is the worldwide economic crises. Quoting this editor, “The sense of financial fear has waned and many politicians – and voters- have decided that it is time to cut deficits. That may sound good but it isn’t”. This writer goes on to explain if everyone stops spending (the governments) it could tip the world back into a deep recession. So what is his reaction to Spain and Greece who have spent their way to an almost bankrupted position and now have instituted spending cuts? Well, they had to do something to satisfy the panicked investors. In spite of our crippling deficits and 14 trillion dollar national debt, this financial wizard is urging President Obama to move ahead with more stimulus spending.
For his part Obama seems to be a bedfellow with this loony editor. At the G-20 Summit in Canada Obama is not only begging congress for more stimulus funds, he is trying to convince other countries to increase spending - not tighten their belts. Thankfully all European leaders disagree and will plan to cut their deficits. Can you believe we are witnessing a time where our liberal European friends want to be more fiscally responsible and our community activist wants to spend, spend, spend?
On the next page of The New York Times we have a gushing article by Gail Collins on the magnificence of Nancy Pelosi. She actually starts her column with these words, “Let us sing a song about the wonderfulness of Nancy Pelosi”. Gag! Gag! Among many other accolades she described her as a person who combines the high ideals of politics with a sure grasp of practical realities. Another quote, “Pelosi has actually been very good on ethics.”
This is the same woman who has been mired in numerous ethical scandals, has conducted House of Representative matters in Chicago-type politics and has an overall approval rating in the neighborhood of 12 percent. A famous quote from our adorable Nancy just before the health care legislation passed, “We must pass this bill so we can all see what’s in it.”
The lesson that should be taken from all this is that even if you must hold our nose or take blood pressure medicine, you should find out the rantings of some of your fellow men and women. It should spur you to action in the November elections.
(Jerry Jackson of Heber Springs writes his “conservative viewpoint” column each Wednesday)
