MB Civic

To the Editor:

In “The Paranoid Style” (column, May 4), David Brooks critiques “American Theocracy,” the best-selling book by Kevin Phillips. He says that “other Americans, at once cynical and naïve, are willing to believe any whacked-out theory, so long as it focuses hatred on Bush.”

Is Mr. Brooks hinting that anyone who hates President Bush must be a dues-paying member of the lunatic fringe?

I make no apologies for detesting what Mr. Bush and his wrongheaded policies have done to this country: Tens of thousands of needless casualties in Iraq. Hundreds of billions wasted on invading a nation that was no threat. An inability to respond to natural disaster. Illegal wiretapping of citizens. A culture of cronyism that has left us with the worst government money can buy.

That’s not paranoia, that’s fact.

Tim Patterson
San Diego, May 4, 2006

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To the Editor:

David Brooks picks apart several arguments made by Kevin Phillips in “American Theocracy.” Careful scrutiny is certainly appropriate for partisan books like this one, whether they’re presenting a liberal viewpoint or a view from the right.

The country would be well served if we spent a little more time looking critically at the talking points of both sides. But I wonder if Mr. Brooks considered the irony when he wrote, “Phillips is a master of slicing reality so that it conforms to predetermined conclusions.”

If we were to list examples of cherry-picking by the Bush administration alone (not to mention its apologists), it would easily overflow this page.

William R. Hall
Wayne, N.J., May 4, 2006

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To the Editor:

David Brooks outlines the persuasive strategy undertaken in Kevin Phillips’s latest best seller: First, take advantage of your audience’s ignorance. Second, make a grand accusation followed up by a non sequitur. Third, slice reality so that it conforms to predetermined conclusions.

It seems that Mr. Brooks must either see the irony with which he attacks this critique of conservatives, or is upset that the conservatives are finally getting a taste of their own medicine.

Matthew Taverna
Arlington, Va., May 4, 2006

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To the Editor:

I am happy to have the liberals sink into paranoia. It distracts them from making up their minds about the policies they stand for. Having to hide our spectacular economy from the voter is enough to make anyone paranoid.

On the subject of evangelism, it would make more sense for Kevin Phillips to worry about the real-life mullahs with bombs who do want to make this country into a theocracy.

Margaret McGirr
Greenwich, Conn., May 4, 2006

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To the Editor:

What accounts for David Brooks’s over-the-top attack on “American Theocracy,” Kevin Phillips’s latest book? Could it be that Mr. Phillips is seen as a traitor to the conservative cause?

Mr. Phillips isn’t paranoid, but provocative. And Mr. Brooks’s column will no doubt help keep “American Theocracy” on The Times’s best-seller list.

Phil Ryan
Kingston, N.Y., May 4, 2006