A Neo-Conservative Repents!

Repentance is the turning away from one view of the world to another. This theological definition may fit well this story. This is not the Onion reporting. This is not a Paleo-Conservative dreaming. There is actual news that a self-proclaimed Neo-Conservative has offered a form of apology. Neo-Conservatives have never been the type to offer apologies, so what is happening? A representative view of the Neo-Conservative philosophy comes from the lips of its greatest advocate in the last fifty years, George W. Bush:

Our country has accepted obligations that are difficult to fulfill, and would be dishonorable to abandon. Yet because we have acted in the great liberating tradition of this nation, tens of millions have achieved their freedom. And as hope kindles hope, millions more will find it. By our efforts, we have lit a fire as well — a fire in the minds of men. It warms those who feel its power, it burns those who fight its progress, and one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world.

This high liturgical rhetoric is inspirational. But it lacks one component to it: truth.  Bush, who took the interventionist foreign policy to heavenly bliss in his eight years at the White House, is now long gone, but the “freedom voices” have continued in his footsteps. Or have they? Giuliani’s furious response to Ron Paul in the 2008 election was a symbolic echo of Bush’s foreign policy. In those days invoking 9-11 was a blank check to say whatever you wanted in the public arena. Giuliani used it well and often. In fact, even his close friends were getting tired of it.

But the times, they are a-changin’.

Ron Paul and his “wacko birds”–to use McCain’s kind description–have been on a tour. They have used the large sums of money that flowed continually during this past election season, and like good capitalists they have invested well. They travel and educate; preparing the next generation through an abundance of resources. Paul has since retired and his insanely accurate prophecies have virtually all come to pass. The nanny state has left America filled with orphans, as the old sage predicted. But though orphans, mommy still reserves the right to check up on them when convenient through one of her demons called The National Surveillance Agency. Be that as it may, the tide is changing.

And then enters Newt Gingrich, that old fox; lover of foreign interventions. He has come to the American public and made a confession. In an interview with the Washington Times, Gingrich says that U.S. military interventions in the Middle East geared to “export democracy” didn’t work and a better focus is on “American interests.”  “I am a neoconservative. But at some point, even if you are a neoconservative, you need to take deep breath to ask if our strategies in Middle East have succeeded,” Gingrich tells the Times, adding that countries where the religion and culture are not hospitable to Western values haven’t been the best breeding grounds for change.”  Is this a death-bed confession? Is this Gingrich’s last attempt at joining the winning side as 2016 nears? Is Gingrich hoping the American public hears his confession and bestows an indulgence? Whatever the answer, Gingrich has uttered the unthinkable; perhaps a mortal sin. He admitted that a) the Middle East is no friend to America’s democracy dreams, and b) that a country’s agenda is first and foremost to the interest of her own people.

Gingrich also took the time to compliment Rand Paul. The former presidential candidate sees Rand Paul’s cautious foreign policy as something to be considered. The Kentucky Senator sees foreign wars as a last resort. Neo-Conservatives have never pondered a last resort; they have always relied on the first. Whether Gingrich is seeking asylum from his failed policies or not, one thing is sure at least in word: a Neo-Con has repented! Time to slay the calf and party!<>siteраскрутка а оплата по факту