[Vision2020] Phil Nisbet's Misunderstandings

[Nick Gier]

Greetings:

At the end of my response to Phil's critique of my "The Deceptions of War," 
I bemoaned the fact that Americans generally cannot have meaningful debate 
on fundamental issues.  One columnist has phrased this "The End of 
Persuasion."  I blame it on the results of a pervasive anti-intellectual 
culture that has finally fulfilled H. L. Menchen's prophecy that ignorant 
and misinformed Americans would one day have a president in their own image.

Phil, I don't know how you could have read this as including you, the 
smartest and best informed Republican that I know.  But I do know for sure 
that I do not want to discuss religion with you any more, and if you keep 
calling my responses "screeds," then I may just decide not engage you in 
discussion at all.

This just in from today's headlines: Egyptian prisoner admits that he lied 
about Iraqi-Al Qaeda connections because he was tortured, and Britain 
announced that any evidence derived from torture will not be admissible in 
their courts.

Nick Gier