The MSNBC webite has a fascinating piece about the thesis Hillary Rodham wrote as a senior at Wellesley College in 1969. Her subject was Saul Alinsky, a radical activiist of the era. MSNBC breathlessly states that Ms. Clinton's critics view the thesis as "a 'Rosetta Stone,' in the words of one, that would allow readers to decode the thinking of the former first lady and 2008 presidential candidate." I think most of Hillary's serious critics are more likely to see the thesis as a window into the thinking of a very bright 21-year old, in the context of the student radicalism of the day. As one who was part of that culture, the thesis strikes me as fairly thoughtful and tame by that low standard. Although Hillary apparently attempted to limit access to her thesis, I suspect she's secretly relieved that she didn't write "Ho Chi Minh -- Agrarian Reformer" or "The U.S. Army -- Genghis Khan Revisited."
The MSNBC piece speculates that Hillary's thesis will be used to "Swiftvet" her. But precisely because, unlike Mr. Swiftvet reporting for duty, she didn't push a "Genghis Khan" type thesis, I don't see real vulnerability here. Any vulnerability will derive from the radicalism that Hillary continued to display for many years after she wrote her thesis on Alinsky. For a bit more on the subject, visit Power Line.
Reader Comments ( Page 2 of 4)
16. Religion aside, is there anyone out there that truly believes Jimmy Carter was not the single most dangerous man to ever sit in the Oval Office? He did nothing, almost broke this nation financially, and was truly one of the most spineless men in the world. Thank God for Reagan. He may have been a "B" grade actor, but he brought pride back to Americans when no one else seemed to care. Jimmy Carter, the biggest joke ever elected to political office in the history of the United States. Ooops, forgot about Ted"the Murdering, Adultering, Drunken Pig" Kennedy, my bad!
K Gar at 9:05PM on Mar 3rd 2007
17. Hi Todd,
You are correct that there are heterosexuals that display, "disgusting or unnatural acts . . .".
I am not sure what homophobic means. I am not fearful or intimidated by being in the presence of a gay or lesbian or conversing or socializing with one. My Uncle who I loved dearly and his companion both passed away from AIDS and my family and I enjoyed our social times together. I am a sinner. I sin just like you sin. According to the Bible, homosexuality and the homosexual lifestyle is sin and is a wrong, deviant and unnatural lifestyle. I do not have the references in front of me right now, but if you would like them, just ask and I will get them for you. If I sin by wrongfully losing my temper at another driver on the road, it is no different than a homosexual who sins and we both need the grace of God to be forgiven. However, since homosexuality by definition indicates gay people having common sexuality, I don't have to imagine what goes on in the bedroom. Just the mere fact that the two are co-habitating in a gay relationship, it is sin.
I love you, Todd as a another human being and a creation from God. So, I am not homophobic or "hate homosexuals". God tells us to hate sin, though. And, therefore I hate the lifestyle of homosexuality (as I hate when I sin myself).
Tom at 9:38PM on Mar 3rd 2007
18. Saul Alinsky was a great American. He was a true believer in American democracy. A Jeffersonian Democrat if there ever was one. Hillary has nothing to be ashamed of.
Jim at 3:19AM on Mar 4th 2007
19. I was raised as a Boston Irish Catholic. It doesn't get much worse than that. When a church becomes more(in)famous for child molestation than what its teachings are, there is a major problem. We also have a very strong love of our Kennedys, so unless you are very familiar with the life and tragedy that has befallen the family speak not about them K Gar.
Now, moving on. If we want to talk about the worst president in history, we don't have to look back in time. He is holding office right now. George W is looked upon as crazy by many people all over the world. As crazy as we thought Sadam was, they think Gorgie is. You may not like Michael Moore, but the documentary Farienhiet 911 is amazing. When this presidency is over the american people are going to realize they were used by Bush and Cheney to line their pockets full of money. He went to war after the United Nations did not support him... Who does he think he is?
The pilgrims came to America because the King was making everyone coonvert to his religion. They came here to Plymouth, MA so they could begin a new life and live and worship how they pleased.
So why should the ten commandments be in federal buildings? They are part of the bible, and for those that do not read the bible or believe in it, do not wish to see them.
I am a teacher, I say the pledge of allegience every day with my second grade class, I leave it up to them whether they want to say go or not, but they all do. As well as myself.
As for abortion. When a man shoots a child through his penis, I will listen to what he has to say. Second, WHAT DAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY? That is the day you are alive. I have no respect for all of the pro lifers and their terrorist tactics and the killing they do. They will surely wind up in hell before anyone that walks into those clinics.
Jenny at 1:31PM on Mar 4th 2007
20. All BS aside America is heading down a very dark road as evidenced by how the world views our country. The liberal media has done all it can do to destroy any credibility that our government once had. Instead of being a divided nation of polotical parties we need to be American and proud again of what we have accomplished in a little over 250 years. Niether party has served we the people well. I would ask, If you had to surrender your family to a political ideology would you want either party to nurture your children. We cant have reiligion in school but we can teach a 12 yr. old how to put on a condum. We would not want to encourage people from other countries to follow are laws, would we. Come over here we will taylor our language for you. Come over here and have a baby you can have all what my children are entitled to. Wake up! Anna Nicole has captivated are nation. Are you kidding me! Why are they not showing the videos of helpless American gagged and bound having their heads sawed off with butter knifes. Is that not more of a story. Over 200 million muslims have radicalized and want to kill us but we want to talk about Anna. If good Americans cannot agree that we have big problems then I wish that I never had children. What kind of values are we teaching if any. We need a thrid party that will unite us not divide us with worthless ideology. I put fourth the idea of the NATIONALIST party. A party that will stand for making are land great agian for are children. I want to throw the bums out of Washington for they have done little to garner are support. Nationalistparty.org
Sam at 10:18AM on Mar 4th 2007
21. Where are the leaders who are willing to say what is their "real" view on the issues that are important to our nation?
Why is someone like Hillary Clinton allowed to sway in the wind depending on the audience she is addressing? She conveniently forgets what she said in the past and then we are supposed to believe she is the smartest woman in the world? Who is kidding who? This woman is the closest candidate to the views of the Communist ideology that we have ever seen run for office as a serious candidate and yet she is allowed to get away with it by the media.
Let's ask our candidates to stop lying to us and freely admit what their position is on the issues. We have a right to know who they are what they plan to do if elected. We the people should be trusted to make the right choice for our Nation's future. All this "hemming and hawing" on what the candidates will do if elected is not giving us an opportunity to know the person before he or she gets elected and then it's too late.
Who is willing to honestly answer the tough questions and better yet who is willing to ask the tough questions and demand an answer?
Marge
3/4/07
Margaret Bade at 11:24AM on Mar 4th 2007
22. Wow, what a great way to put a positive spin on something negative a Democrat has done!!! Now, if this thesis was written by any of the Republican Candidates, AOL would have been all over it. Score another one for the Democrat MEDIA!!!
Joe at 11:03AM on Mar 4th 2007
23. I'm not even going to get into this deeply enough to argue with everyone, because I've learned that talking common sense with "you people" (Tom, Blair, Todd, etc.) is like trying to convince a fish that's never been above water that there's a magical "air world."
You are all uneducated, ill-informed and brain washed. Your ideas are so distorted it's incredulous. Your judgement of others makes me sick, and I'm sure Jesus wouldn't like it either.
P.S. Yes Jimmy Carter was a lousy president but he was still infinitely smarter than any of you!
Sarah at 11:36AM on Mar 4th 2007
24. In the 20th century, atheists, socialists and communists were persecuted alongside Jews by the Nazis. - WIKI That is a fact, not sensationalism. The University of Minnesota conducted a 2006 study that showed atheists to be the most distrusted minority. The study showed that atheists are more distrusted than Muslims, recent immigrants, and gays. Respondents associated atheism with immorality.
That being the current state of feeling amongst Americans, I render the following opinion for the Christian right and the atheists in America.
You should be on the same side!
Separation of the state from the church is to defend not only the 21% of agnostics/atheist Americans from the Christian Majority, but to protect the Christian Majority from the fastest growing minority of thought in our country, Scientifically based agnosticism.
Why a person would end faith?
Science and the meddling of hypocrits causes folks to question their faith. If a person associated with a movement commits an act on behalf of that movement, some view the act as an act of the movement itself.
The Christian movement lost the moral high ground a long time ago.
Bombing abortion clinics.
Banning education in the classroom.
Attempting to subvert the Pledge of Allegiance by adding under God in the last century.
(For those of you who thought it was there in the beginning,-study harder)
Attempting to change the constitution of this great land to support your agenda.
Instead of worrying about homosexual property rights, teach a person about Jesus.
Instead of trying to change a country that will not be changed, realize that you are in a fight for your very existence and get out your message.
You are losing more Christians then you're saving. Start talking about a subject that has an appeal in this country - JESUS.
Joe at 12:45PM on Mar 4th 2007
25. Dear Pat:
That would kind of rule out mayor Giulliani, wouldn’t it?
A Christian president who is still happily married to his first wife? That would certainly describe Bill Clinton, Barach Obama, and Al Gore. Unlike Ronald Reagan or George Bush I, they are all, at the very least, still married to their first wife.
So, you would have a problem with a “woman president, a black president, a muslim or mormon president.” How would you feel about a Jewish president, or a Catholic president, or a Hindu president? Or a Buddhist president? What I am asking here is this: Just how pervasive is your bigotry? Has the Ku Klux Klan approached you for a pledge yet? If you were to put your money where your mouth is, then it certainly would go to the Klan!
What are you talking about here? In WWII, we fought against Fascism, which is the extreme right wing – the exact opposite of Socialism.
So often, we find that politicians from the right turn out to be crooks just as often as politicians from the left turn out to be socialists. The fact is, Pat, that our beloved nation is crying out for a president who will work toward uniting the nation -- not one who will exploit and divide our populace along racial, religious, and gender differences for political gain.
Personally, I couldn’t care less just about the race, gender, or religion of our next president. I am more concerned that our next president be a uniter, like Bill Clinton was; and not a divider, like the sorry excuse for a president that is currently seated in the White House.
Magrum Yuff at 12:22PM on Mar 4th 2007
26. Patricia -
Being a Mormon myself, I resent your comment that we need a christian in the White House and not a Mormon, Black, or Woman. FYI...Mormons are Christians and espouse family togetherness and moral values. And if I am correct..Mitt is still married to his first wife. Maybe this is the guy you should be voting for. As for me. I will look at all the candidates and vote for the one that best expresses my belief system. Might be a Christian, might be a Jew, woman. black, or even a muslim. I'm not sure at this point, but I do know that I will not be making any discrimintaing remarks about any of them. THey all have their rights to their beliefs whether you or I agree with them. A simple vote at the end is all it takes to let them know where you stand. Democracy is a beautiful thing.
Bob
Bob Huish at 12:49PM on Mar 4th 2007
27. It's so good to read what you people are saying, especially without threats, without swearing and with respect for each other. Thank you for writing decent arguments!
I read and listen to a lot of people who are concerned very deeply with the status of this great nation. We are heading towards the end of the great power that we have become and the country that we have built over many years. Look at the history of nations past. When they allowed the government's to control the people, when they allowed different languages to overrun the main language of a nation, when they allowed people to kill and rob other people in the streets, when the government destroy's the dicsipline and obediance demanded of children just a few years ago, which helped them to grow up to be responsilbe young adults, when children are given a rolled up piece of paper with a ribbon around it at graduation so that the other students and parents don't realize that those children, in reality, did not graduate, when the government allows companies to out source the production lines to other contries at a great loss of income to our people and to our economy, then I believe the United States of America is slowly coming to end of the road. Look at the history of other nations and think about it. Think about all that we used to stand for and fight for and believe in. To many people don't have pride in themselves and our country and a person who dares to speak out loud like myself are put down and pushed out of way because the truth hurts you to much.
Really think about and demand that the next leader of this country will fight for basic principals of our nation! Amen!
R. Palma, Sr. at 1:13PM on Mar 4th 2007
28. i invented electricity!
benjamin franklin is the devil.
dudeness at 1:45PM on Mar 4th 2007
29. TO ALL OF YOU, WHO PROFESSED TO BE CHRISTIANS:
PLEASE READ ROMANS 13 AND THEN TELL US WHO YOU ARE!,
IF YOU CAN. THEN, IF THAT DOES NOT CLEAR THINGS UP FOR YOU, THEN TRY READING THE ENTIRE BOOK OF ROMANS.
I'M SURE YOUR TITLE OF CHRISTIAN DOES NOT MEAN THE SAME AS THE ONE IN THIS BOOK!!!!
MAY GOD GRANT YOU WISDOM AND MERCY IN THESE TROUBLED TIMES.
GADECO
GADECO at 9:57AM on Mar 8th 2007
30. Boy, how is it a subject of a blog can get so off topic? When did this become a religious debate? I thought it was about Hillary's thesis. I, for one, believe it was relevant to the times during which it was written and should have no impact on the current presidential debate.
Laurie at 3:27PM on Mar 4th 2007