Buchanan of Arabia

"Dhimmitude, or dementia" – take your pick – is how commentator Lawrence Auster lamented Patrick J. Buchanan's recent lapses. Mr. Buchanan has come out against the Danes for their finger-in-the-dyke bravery in the face of Islamic bullies – and for foreign aid for Hamas for their election victory in the Palestinian Authority.

Before Hamas came to power, Buchanan had been a principled opponent of foreign aid, rightly calling it a racket and a shakedown. But Hamas, a deeply and indelibly anti-Semitic terrorist outfit, changed that. In a positively bacchanalian column, Buchanan exalts Hamas for its "sacrifice" and dedication, and mocks Israel for being "close to hysterical" over the outcome, adding that it was its behavior in the first place that elected Hamas.

To round up this orgy of immorality, Mr. Buchanan urges Americans to open the spigots and let the aid flow, provided Hamas keeps "armed resistance" against Israeli civilians to a minimum. (I foresee a follow-up column, praising Russian President Vladimir Putin for embracing Hamas.)

Ilana Mercer

The truth about Buchanan is that he is a central power advocate with a hypernationalist bent. Politically that makes him a national socialist. He usually manages to keep his more objectionable positions under wraps with certain populist stances, such as opposition to "free trade" agreements and foreign aid. He has always had a nasty anti-semitic streak, and given his political inclinations, one wonders how he resists putting on his Stürmbahnführer uniform before going out into public. Kudos to WorldNet Daily for posting this article. WND tends to be a friendly, if not admiring forum for Buchanan's public utterances. The point-counterpoint does much to enhance the dialog.