The New Republic

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad should invite Pat over for a weekend outing at his place and discuss their next political move in the Middle East.

- mrtbob

July 9, 2008 at 2:52pm

Just want to quantify here: when the author writes, "As someone ... who has been following Buchanan's career for quite some time now," since exactly what year has the author been following Buchanan's career?

Also, the author makes a fundamental error when implicitly arguing that because Buchanan has appeared on a white supremacist radio show, therefore he should not appear on MSNBC. Whether Buchanan belongs on MSNBC as a political analyst is unaffected by any potential fascist-symp leanings he might have. Either he is a cogent analyst of political developments or he is not. If he is, he belongs on the air. If not, then not. I happen to think not, but that would be true even if Buchanan's anti-Americanism were of the Anglophile variety that conservatives like the present author approve.

Also, in the last week, dozens of the present author's closest ideological friends and allies have spilled much ink praising a recently deceased conservative bigot whose white supremacist leanings were openly stated, not merely implicit as in the case of Buchanan. Where is the present author's outrage at the uncritical mainstream conservative embrace of Jesse Helms?

- rhubarbs

July 9, 2008 at 3:24pm

Good catch, Kirchik. Buchanan's presence on MSNBC and elsewhere as a prominent talking head is a disgrace.

- jobeek2

July 9, 2008 at 3:49pm

Rhubarbs, that was sweet.

Although I feel a bit conflicted, much like a medical student in days of yore who observes a master surgeon removing, say, an unruly gallbladder for the edification of myself and my classmates as well as for the ultimate good of the patient who, unfortunately, became afflicted with gallstones before the invention of anesthesia.

The word "ouch" comes to mind.

- williamyard

July 9, 2008 at 3:53pm

way back when, there were the night time "soil" men who did that odious task for the larger society, a stinky job that someone else had to do...

Kirchick is fast becoming a "soil" journalist...covering the likes of Buchanan and Paul.

I say that given their respective m.o's and styles, Buchanan and Kirckick deserve one another...

- thejauntyboulevardier

July 9, 2008 at 4:08pm

Rhubarbs: Thanks for pointing out Kirchick's lazy , pretentious, self-righteous, faux-outraged, formulaic, style (re: ". . .who has been following Buchanan's career for quite some time now.") The 23-year-old Kirchick is one precocious fellow, that's for sure. One can imagine Kirchick, a former Naderite, at age five, cursing during an episode of "Crossfire," because Michael Kinsley, instead of unleashing his rapier wit against Buchanan, merely agreeing to disagree.

That said, what is shocking here?  I can barely muster any outrage against the doings of the Confederate/segrationist/anti-Semitic//non-serving Buchanan. Is it any wonder Pat favored Hillary over that ni---- Obama? Ah, and I'll give Pat a pass on not serving. He was declared 4-F because of reactive arthritis. (What causes that? Chlamydia? Guess mister good catholic/family values wasn't a virgin.)

What I'd like Kirchick to investgigate, is why family values/anti-abortion, six-to-seven-figure earning, Pat doesn't have any children. Is his wife barren or doesn't pat have any anno for his gun? Whatever the reason, I thought it was financialy easier for the rich to adopt. With Pat's cheddar and pro-IRA positions, one wonders why he couldn't adopt a pure Celt from Ireland.  What does the Vactican think about all that he and his wife had with No intention of having chilldren. Why doesn't he get the Onan treatment? (Whoops. We are living in the Age of Grace, that's why.)

Kirchick should really look into the matter. Especially because Pat believes marriage is necessary for child-rearing, which is why he thinks gays shouldn't marry. Well, are Shelley and Patrick childless. Shouldn't their marriage license be revoked? Hell, they are letting the Mexicans win by not procreating and adding the the white population.

Jamie, inquiring minds want to know, know, know. . .

- tec619

July 9, 2008 at 4:10pm

jaunty-cookie: Based on my previous post, do you think I could become a "soil' journalist? :-D

- tec619

July 9, 2008 at 4:16pm

Come on now, Rhubs. You and I know that, generally speaking, the Right consistently downplays racism and its effects except when the racist act is done by non-whites, say Farrakhan, Sharpton, Mugabe, etc.

Anti-semitism, on the other hand, get their attention. Remember how on one of those presidential runs by Buchanan the Right and the Republicans were in full throated denunciation of Buchanan's anti-semitism?  Remarkably,  there was not a peep from them about his very apparent racist tendencies.

To be fair though, the far left does the opposite - highlight racism and ignore anti-semitism.

- scrubbyoak

July 9, 2008 at 4:41pm

Yes, tec, based on your previous post, you could be a "soil journalist" or any kind of journalist for that matter.

- scrubbyoak

July 9, 2008 at 4:46pm

Appearing on something as vile as "The Cesspool" certainly should disqualify someone from being allowed onto mainstream talking head-dom.   We all know that if a lib went onto an equally disgusting leftist show, he'd have been called on the carpet.  Sorry, but some things just aren't done.  

Though you do have to feel kind of sorry for old Pat.  Won't anyone else have him?  What's he thinking when he goes onto these shows.  Is he embarrassed?  Blaming the Jews that he's sunk so low?  Smirking inwardly?   It's like, how do you talk yourself through having sex with a goat?

- MOLLYSIMON

July 9, 2008 at 5:06pm

Let's not investigate why Patrick J. doesn't have any offspring, let's just be quietly thankful.

- WoodyBombay

July 9, 2008 at 5:23pm

I simply don't understand how a professed Roman Catholic can remain such an idiot. The word Catholic means Universal, meaning blacks, whites, asians, etc. all partake in communion and all are equal participants.

Cookie, ouch to you to. Poor James, even when he writes what people can agree with his reputation is in such tatters here that he can't catch a break.

- blackton

July 9, 2008 at 5:49pm

Vegetable brains Rhubarbs is  a sick jerk.

Why the fuck can’t you deal with the issue of Buchanan’s Jew hatred without bringing up extraneous bull shit?

If Kirchik had pointed out Helm’s racism would you have faulted him because he didn’t mention Buchanan’s’ antisemitism?  

I doubt you would have.

You are one of these “anti-racist” who can’t stand talking about Jew hatred without looking for “underlying causes” or justifying it in some ways. You did it recently when an Arab used a bulldozer to kill three Jews in Jerusalem and maim scores of others.

You have a real problem with Jews, vegetable head.

- jacksondyer

July 9, 2008 at 5:53pm

Oh, and let's all congratulate Jamie on his remarkable scoop that Pat Buchanan is a bigot.

- WoodyBombay

July 9, 2008 at 5:53pm

Vegetable brains Rhubarbs is  a sick jerk.

Why the fuck can’t you deal with the issue of Buchanan’s Jew hatred without bringing up extraneous bull shit?

If Kirchik had pointed out Helm’s racism would you have faulted him because he didn’t mention Buchanan’s’ antisemitism?  

I doubt you would have.

You are one of these “anti-racist” who can’t stand talking about Jew hatred without looking for “underlying causes” or justifying it in some ways. You did it recently when an Arab used a bulldozer to kill three Jews in Jerusalem and maim scores of others.

You have a real problem with Jews, vegetable head.

- jacksondyer

July 9, 2008 at 5:53pm

I'm with mollysimon on this one.  Pat's appearance on the show should move him off MSNBC.  'Barbs is correct in saying that as a good analyst he should be somewhere, but mainstream media is not it.  Maybe Pat should be the analyst for Cesspool as it fits his particular view of the world.  Pat could have choosen any other venue to push his book that would have been more mainstream.  Instead he went long and choose a show dedicated to bigotry.  I don't see how Buchanan's message could be missed.  If I knowingly associate with wise guys, or known terrorists, then I shouldn't be surprised the FBI is keeping tabs on me.  I don't see how Buchanan gets a pass either.

- jet

July 9, 2008 at 6:05pm

I used to be amazed he was on MSNBC, but now I'm kind of glad. First, because I like to see that end of the spectrum represented on a panel, so that the liberals who dominate it and likely dominate the audience get a feel for the views of those represented on that end. I liked seeing him defend those "hardworking white Americans"' desire to vote for someone who looked like them, based on sheer tribalism. Racism, of course, which he called tribalism. Yes, I can go to FOX to see that kind of thing, but I prefer not to. Yes, I pretty much never agree with whatever comes out of his mouth, but I do like the fact that he's there, and I am thankful that he's not a loudmouth blowhard, which that Joe fellow can sometimes be. I like to see him and Rachel Maddow get all giggly with each other, probably becuase they still can't believe they are on the same panel.

- psantillana

July 9, 2008 at 6:06pm

I think the phrase "You read that right" generally follows a surprising statement.

I am not surprised by this, however Buchanan should only be barred from being a commentator if his positions are dramatically at odds with the rest of his party.  I'm not sure this is the case.

- aculimic

July 9, 2008 at 6:41pm

psantillana : I'm with you. I prefer to hear Pat's views on MSNBC rather than be forced to watch FOX.  Though listening him makes me quite uncomfortable,

But that just shows you how the press and Washington operates.

Apparently, no one can be run out of town on a rail. Just think, articles regarding Pat's confederate associations and anti-semitic positions never dulled the media's appetite for his commentary. Even the much ballyhooed piece by William F. Buckley on the matter didn't cause the media to give Pat the leper treatment. (Although, I must admit, that I didn't read the entire essay, because it appeared Buckley was circumlocuting and never actually going to unequivically pronounce Pat an anti-Semite. For years I was angry at Michael Kinsley for not calling a brownshirt, a brownshirt.)

Imagine how many of us would be able to keep our jobs if our water cooler conversation centered on quibbling over whether the Holocaust actually happened based on the effectiveness of Zyklon B and deisel exhaust or whatever the hell Pat was blathering about.

Pat's books tell of his nostalgia for the  fifties when he and "his kind" could ride in the front of the bus and walk the streets of Georgetown without having to encounter black boys beating buckets. Such thoughs would sink most job applicants. Not Pat, however.

- tec619

July 9, 2008 at 6:56pm

News Flash, James Kirchick has determined that 'Pitchfork Pat' is pitching his latest material on a Pro-White Radio program.  Shocking, after he has covered Pat for all these years to uncover this news.

We should contact the President pro tempore of the United States Senate, Robert Byrd, and let him know about this grevious offense.

It's kind of funny how you can serve 49 years in the Senate as a Klu Klux Klansman, but show up on the wrong radio show and the left wants to kick you off MSNBC.

Someone contact Keith Olberman to give this issue the attention it merits.

- CRS9TNR

July 9, 2008 at 7:23pm

Yeah all that but what about the book? Even if Buchanan has horns and a tail, the topic of how we get into wars, who gets us there, and whether the results are worth the sacrifice seems like an interesting and oh so timely topic.  

- lesserliz

July 9, 2008 at 7:24pm

Jackson, that has to be one of the most ridiculous posts I've read in a while.  Care to point to anywhere where Rhubarbs said that Buchanan doesn't have a problem with Jews or that his anti-semitism is "justified," or, for that matter, any point where he said anything like that about the lunatic with a bulldozer?  He said that it was inaccurate to call the bulldozer guy a terrorist because he was acting alone without any clear political purpose (and for what it's worth, I thought he was wrong in that case), but he never tried to justify his actions or look for some "underlying cause."

As to Buchanan, an article about Buchanan's anti-semitism is a dog bites man article.  Everybody already knew about it.  And I think that Rhubarbs is right that Pat should be off the air because he's bad at his job, not because of his distasteful views.  By your reasoning, I suppose that means I "have a problem with Jews."  My rabbi will be disappointed.

- AlanSP

July 9, 2008 at 9:29pm

AlanSP, you are an idiot!

Rhubarb is the one who has a problem with Jews, not just Buchanan.

- jacksondyer

July 9, 2008 at 9:48pm

jacksondyer: I distinctly heard it. He muttered under his breath, “Jew.”

Rob: You’re crazy!

jacksondyer: No, I’m not. We were walking of the tennis court, and you know, he was there and me and his wife, and he looked at her and then they both looked at me, and under his breath he said, “Jew.”

Rob: jacksondyer, you’re a total paranoid.

jacksondyer: Wha—how am I paranoid? Will, I pick up on those kinds of things. You know, I was having lunch with some guys from NBC, so I said, uh, “Did you eat yet or what?” And Tom Christie said, “No, didchoo?” Not “did you,” “didchoo” eat? Jew? No, not did you eat, but Jew eat? Jew. You get it? Jew eat?

Rob: Ah, Max, you, uh …

jacksondyer: Stop calling me Max.

Rob: Why, Max? It’s a good name for you. Max, you see conspiracies in everything.

jacksondyer: No I don’t! You know, I was in a record store. Listen to this: So I know there’s this big blond crew-cutted guy and he’s looking at me in a funny way and smiling and he’s saying, “Yes, we have a sale this week on Wagner.” Wagner! Wagner—so you know what he’s really trying to tell me very significantly. Wagner!

- WoodyBombay

July 9, 2008 at 10:19pm

Woody,

Great Annie Hall pick up...

I loved that movie...

- thejauntyboulevardier

July 9, 2008 at 10:33pm

"AlanSP, you are an idiot!

Rhubarb is the one who has a problem with Jews, not just Buchanan."

Hard to argue with such an incisive rebuttal.

- AlanSP

July 10, 2008 at 1:46am

I didn't know Buchanan flirted with these elements today.  I like him on MSNBC as an analyst, but I think appearing on a neo-Nazi, white supremacist radio show is gross-out behavior that ought to disqualify you from mainstream punditry.  Hear that y'all?  I'm with Kirchick on this one!

- jhildner

July 10, 2008 at 12:30pm

p.s.  Jackson is a poo-poo head.

- jhildner

July 10, 2008 at 1:10pm

Pat Buchanan's latest besteller is titled: Chuchill, Hitler, and the Unncessary War. Its crackpot thesis is that if Churchill had not been a warmonger Hitler's attempted conquest of the world would have occurred. Buchanan argues that along with

- Anonymous

July 10, 2008 at 1:33pm

Martin Cothran, presumably upset that I keep pointing out that the supposed logic teacher prefers logical fallacies to honest data, has now sunken to defending Holocaust denial. In replying to his repetition of a screed by Pat Buchanan, I noted that not

- Anonymous

April 22, 2009 at 6:06pm