Jeanne Kirkpatrick - Reqiescat in Pace

Jeane Kirkpatrick, former U.N Ambassador (1981-1985) under President Ronald Reagan, died yesterday at age 80.  I admired her greatly, even when (in my earlier years)  I didn't share her politics.  She was a smart, tough lady, firm in her beliefs and with sound logic to her arguments.  The lady stood her ground.  I watched her one morning in the early 80's on a Sunday morning talk show, where she was badgered and insulted by four men on the panel.  She didn't flinch for a second.  She was composed, unwavering and thoughtful, in contrast to her belligerent attackers.  Her deft parrying and verbal fencing was something to see!  I've called upon that memory of Kirkpatrick to keep me calm when subjected to hostility.  She's my personal patron saint of arguing with ninnies and hotheads.  What a dame! We forget that liberals hated President Reagan then as much as they hate President Bush now, and she was the subject of mean-spirited attacks.

The NY Sun has praise for her in today's column, and quoted from one of Kirkpatrick's most famous speeches at the August 20, 1984, Republican Convention:  

When our Marines, sent to Lebanon on a multinational peacekeeping mission with the consent of the United States Congress, were murdered in their sleep, the "blame America first crowd" didn't blame the terrorists who murdered the Marines, they blamed the United States.

But then, they always blame America first.

When the Soviet Union walked out of arms control negotiations, and refused even to discuss the issues, the San Francisco Democrats didn't blame Soviet intransigence. They blamed the United States.

But then, they always blame America first.

When Marxist dictators shoot their way to power in Central America, the San Francisco Democrats don't blame the guerrillas and their Soviet allies, they blame United States policies of 100 years ago.

But then, they always blame America first.

The American people know better.

May she rest in peace.

Comments

[Sissy Willis]

There is nothing like a dame . . .

[Gayle Miller]

She was beyond giant in her impact, and without being strident, shrill or unfeminine - a lesson NOT learned by the Hillarys and Nancys of this world because they don't have Ms. Kirkpatrick's class, intelligence or breeding! SHE was an example to women everywhere.