Miss Stroll,

While I appreciate the good-natured glad-handing in your final column, I have to take some umbrage with your “don’t let our arguments get sloppy like yours,” shot toward the end. I get that this Ann-Coulter-Lite bit is your style, and in that sense, the above phrase makes sense; you, Coulter, and most conservative commentators have no problem making claims that they want open debate, but as soon as an uncomfortable issue arises, they immediately seek to delimit the rules of engagement. We’re told that we can’t criticize the decision to go to war in Iraq because it gives comfort to our enemies; when we radical liberals have meekly pointed out that Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden repeatedly affirmed their mutual dislike and couldn’t possibly have had a working relationship, we’re told that we don’t understand the war on terror or the opponents we’re facing. Doesn’t it make more sense that the people who defend a non-existent link are the ones who are out of touch? Miss Stroll’s “winning the war of ideas,” comment is equally glib and strident (keep this up, Tara, one day you too might end up like your idol Ann!), especially when you consider the President’s recent call for a debate on Iraq that does not “give comfort to our enemies”; how then, Mr. Bush, are we to criticize any of your decisions (say, to disband the Iraqi Army or improperly monitor no-bid contracting)? I, for one, would love to find a single conservative who, when all other arguments are destroyed, says “I guess you’re right,” instead of “Well, I support my President.” It’s been nice having you, Tara, though I can’t say I understand your masochistic streak in taking this assignment in the first place.

Sincerely,

Dan Weber CAS ’05