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Reader comment on:
For What the Thanks
in response to reader comment: Fact, fiction and fantasy

Submitted by Ted Lienesch, Nov 22, 2007 09:58

Thanks for pointing out the Blair detail. While I respect your right to your opinion, the rest of your comment, in my opinion, lapses into the same misinformed Eurospeak I've heard from my UK and EU friends for years — Cheney controls Bush, Bush/Cheney are responsible for all the instability in the world, high oil prices, etc. I am surprised you didn't work in global warming and Darfur. Bush and the U.S. military took down the most brutal, bloody regime in the world and replaced it with a functioning constitutional democracy, which is incredible given the ethnic divisions in that country. The surge is working better than anyone had hoped — and if you don't believe me, read about it in the New York Times, hardly under the thumb of the Bush White House (or note the absence of Iraqi news stories in your local paper). Even your hero Osama Bin Laden has "publicly" acknowledged that Al Qaeda is losing in Iraq. As I write this, the government of Iran has indicated its openness to discussions with the US on lowering hostilities in Iraq, the Iraqi people — by the hundreds of thousands — have signed a petition denouncing Iran as a source of violence and terrorism in Iraq, and Condi Rice is arranging for Palestinian peace talks in Annapolis. None of this would have happened without a strong US military. It certainly could not have been brought about by a militarily impotent EU. "Hard" negotiation with thug states like Iran and North Korea (I notice you neglected to mention that country's stepping away from producing nuclear weapons) is worthless without the threat of overwhelming military power. Anyone from the country that celebrated Neville Chamberlain should know that.

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Other reader comments on this article

Comment By Date

I enjoyed the dry humor, but behind the sarcasm, I think you made some very good points. I think that... [MORE]

Trelaina 

Nov 27, 2007 18:09

Good Lord, yes we have plenty to be thankful for in the US. And lots to be disgusted about under... [MORE]

Doug Robertson 

Nov 22, 2007 18:57

You and all the peripheral Steyns that will fit in your car are invited to Toronto for next year's festivities.... [MORE]

Doug Lewis 

Nov 22, 2007 15:01

Steyn should be made a permanent member of Congress. I take that back. That would be demeaning in today's political... [MORE]

Steve Andrade 

Nov 22, 2007 12:35

Thank you, Mark Steyn. Your insight and writings are part of my Thanksgiving. I am proud to be an American... [MORE]

A.C. 

Nov 22, 2007 08:24

This was a very good piece of work. Much of the rest of the western world has benefited from the... [MORE]

Joe Nuchastowich 

Nov 22, 2007 05:16

I'm thankful for George bloody Bush. Those women who were saved from being turned into embryo factories to provide raw... [MORE]

ic 

Nov 22, 2007 03:38

God Bless Us All. We are a grand experiment, aren't we? Thank you, God. [MORE]

Eve Stewart 

Nov 21, 2007 19:12

I fully agree with Steyn's sentiments, but he's being a bit remiss about the British our contribution in Afganistan. We're... [MORE]

John Moloney 

Nov 21, 2007 18:03

God bless America and Mark Steyn. [MORE]

Zwi Zur 

Nov 21, 2007 17:14

Mark, I always appreciate your humor and your sincere appreciation of "the benign hegemony" that is America. You see through... [MORE]

Leif ErikCoburn 

Nov 21, 2007 14:05

As usual, Mark is right on in his commentary........ Sometimes we forget just what we have here in the USA.. Beyond the... [MORE]

Bob Melley 

Nov 21, 2007 11:30

I was delighted to read the comment from fellow Cantabrian, John Hipkin, one-time Mayor of the city. The U.S. prides... [MORE]

Marie-louise Holland 

Nov 21, 2007 05:34

Don't worry John Hipkin ( is your nick name Jack) we're all right! Mark Steyn is a genius, don't you... [MORE]

John Aams 

Nov 21, 2007 00:14

I am often amazed he sees so many positives in The Most Powerful Nation In History (although less powerful seemingly... [MORE]

David Wells 

Nov 20, 2007 16:48

Mark's hyperbole is nothing compared to the anti-american sentiment and propaganda that is systematically cultivated everyday, everywhere on earth. As... [MORE]

Dean Stergides 

Nov 21, 2007 08:43

This article is Great. Thanks [MORE]

Dan T 

Nov 20, 2007 11:52

First, fact. Tony Blair did not abolish the upper house of the UK parliament. His government reformed it though the... [MORE]

john hipkin 

Nov 20, 2007 11:40

. . . and happy Thanksgiving. I'll extend Thanksgiving wishes to our friend N. Sarkozy as well, a breath of... [MORE]

Robert l. Labbe 

Nov 20, 2007 21:17

You know many things about your adopted country that I wish many of our native born people would learn. I... [MORE]

Robert H. Boyer 

Nov 21, 2007 15:21

hipkin: The only reason the Brits are affected by the sub-prime mortgage black hole is greed. I don't think the... [MORE]

ic 

Nov 22, 2007 04:51

I find Mark Steyn to be insightful and humorous, both points, apparently, being totally lost upon you. Why do you even... [MORE]

Pete Janssen 

Nov 22, 2007 09:46

Thanks for pointing out the Blair detail. While I respect your right to your opinion, the rest of your comment,...

Ted Lienesch 

Nov 22, 2007 09:58

Ted, Your heady rhetoric has led you to the accusation that Osama Bin Laden is my hero! In case any... [MORE]

john hipkin 

Nov 23, 2007 05:00

Thank you for your wonderful article. It was perfect for Thanksgiving day -- I made copies of it for my... [MORE]

Jane Sacco 

Nov 24, 2007 20:17

Very informative article as we Americans often look to Europe for the idea of stability based on longevity. I have... [MORE]

Doris K. Roane 

Nov 20, 2007 10:40

It is a tough thing to leave familiar surroundings and the history of your family and friends to move to... [MORE]

Woodrow Miller 

Nov 22, 2007 11:43

Happy Thanksgiving Mark! Godspeed and God Bless in all your endeavors. [MORE]

Stephen Miller 

Nov 20, 2007 02:09

Happy Thanksgiving Mark! Godspeed and God Bless in all your endeavors. [MORE]

Stephen Miller 

Nov 20, 2007 02:08

Great article. Thanks for writing it. Few people in the media state the obvious these days. It's refreshing. [MORE]

Martin 

Nov 19, 2007 18:21

I don't see what there is to be thankful for. The world owes NOTHING to America. The world would be... [MORE]

Jane Higgins 

Nov 19, 2007 18:01

Excellent piece! Hopefully the message is spread far and wide. Alas however, I fear that the elites prefer fine whine... [MORE]

neal hunt 

Nov 19, 2007 12:17

You wrote "Aside from Britain and France, the Europeans cannot project power in any meaningful way anywhere. When they sign... [MORE]

John Fonteine 

Nov 19, 2007 12:09

Hey Debi ~ got this great email from Luis (Damian's brother). Although I'm not THAT politically astute, this really hit... [MORE]

Debra Meidinger 

Nov 19, 2007 12:06

Thanks, Mark. I needed that. -Carol Stanley San Diego, CA [MORE]

Carol Stanley 

Nov 19, 2007 11:44

Thank you for writing this essay. I'll make sure my kids read it this afternoon when they get home from... [MORE]

jm 

Nov 19, 2007 11:15

Thank God for Steyn and the voice he gives to the 'silent majority.' [MORE]

Ken Mallett 

Nov 19, 2007 11:03

Great column, I agree completely. When I was a boy, my dad told me that American democracy was a great... [MORE]

Chaim Caron 

Nov 19, 2007 10:38

enjoy this piece by Mark Steyn [MORE]

jim stonehill 

Nov 19, 2007 09:38

Thank you Mark Steyn for another example of the insight you have into our country. It is sad that so... [MORE]

bill kesler 

Nov 19, 2007 09:26

I loved your article about Thanksgiving and U.S. exceptionalism. As an immigrant, I too am very thankful to this country... [MORE]

Barry Schechter 

Nov 19, 2007 08:12

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