Demonizing the Right

It was interesting to read in Buchanan’s column that the liberals’ ludicrous linkage of conservatives to Nazis has its roots in psychobabble. Add to the column’s epithetical list of the left: “diatribe,” which is how “thinking people” describe all discourse from the right. At least use “harangue” sometimes for variety.

Another article in the same issue about the opposition to state Sen. Marian Bergeson as state superintendent of public instruction highlights another shibboleth. Ms. Bergeson should be denied the post because she is too close to the “religious right” and has a “religious agenda” (like fostering notions such as “all men are created equal”?). Can you imagine the firestorm that would greet any hint that being “non-religious and liberal” are grounds for disqualification?

Does such reliance on demagogic devices indicate that liberals feel their positions need more than logical arguments for their promotion? Let’s agree instead to aim for excellence and integrity and have a more open and honest debate between political points of view.

CLARENCE LARSON

Westchester