columnist and author of the 'nanny state'

Steve Waksman’s academic history, This Ain’t the Summer of Love: Conflict and Crossover in Heavy Metal and Punk, “reconsiders the roles of two genres, heavy metal and punk.” It’s an entertaining read if, like me, you’re into that sort of thing.

After writing a column critical of Ron Paul’s presidential straw poll win at CPAC, I was smacked with barrage of colorful emails from his supporters. A few of those complaints turned up in the comments section of this blog (though I rarely use this space for politics) so I thought I’d bring it to a post.

This comment is typical of many:

David,

What kind of libertarian argues for a “robust and proactive” national defense?

That means perpetual war.

DrewJ

I’m no sort of libertarian, actually — especially if being libertarian means passing a purity test. I’m a conservative with strong libertarian impulses. I imagine I’m not alone. And though I often advocate for strong national defense (and God knows that can mean a million things), the column made no argument on the subject. Here’s what the piece stated:

Patrick Buchanan recently claimed that the GOP was showing signs of turning away from its recent foreign policy positions. The focus of policy may have changed, and perhaps more reluctance in nation-building, but polls pretty clearly illustrate Republicans still believe in a robust and pro-active national defense.

Pointing out that “polls illustrate” Republicans generally believe in a robust and pro-active national defense is a fact, not an argument.

Others have a problem with my calling out Ron Paul “unserious.” I probably should have used the word “irrelevant.” Paul is significantly irrelevant — or no more relevant than fellow conspiracy theorist Dennis Kucinich, even if I happen to be sympathetic to many of his views.

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Amazing stuff.

(h/t Joe Carducci.)

I had a chance to see P.J. O’Rourke speak at the Independence Institute’s 25th Anniversary dinner last month. It was a ton of fun so I thought I’d post the video. (Links via Peoples Press Collective.)

Here are a some recent columns on the EPA and Climategate.

Hide the decline . . . and more

Our way or … well, our way

We-don’t-want-to-talk-about-it-gate

A reason to be skeptical

Secularists submit!

Having mentioned Bill Kristol in my column today, I was reminded of a really cool copy of Oriana Fallacci’s The Rage and the Pride the Weekly Standard sent me after I reviewed the book for the magazine.