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All things Obama aren’t all bad; Oren M. Spiegler; Beaver County Times; April 24, 2011.
Mr. Spiegler is such a prolific letter writer the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review gave him a little tribute back in 2003. Google “Oren M. Spiegler” and you’ll get more hits than you know what to do with. Unfortunately, prolific is not a synonym for competent. Mr. Spiegler claims to be a Republican. In my critique of “Breathing more freely,” I cited reasons why I was “beginning to believe Mr. Spiegler is simply another Republican impersonator,” but he sealed the deal with “Greatest foreign policy debacle.” Subsequent letters have been more confirmation, including this one. The group of local Republican impersonators also includes Messrs. William A. Alexander, Arthur Brown, William G. Horter, Edward J. Hum, Bill Ralston, and George Reese, all claiming to be disgruntled Republicans.
Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.
“In his latest wrong turn, conspiracy theorist and television show host Glenn Beck has sought to tar former and potential future Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee with the conservative curse word ‘progressive’ for Huckabee’s support of first lady Michelle Obama’s initiative to stem the prevalence of child obesity.”
[RWC] As you read this letter, keep in mind Mr. Spiegler claims to be a Republican.
I suspect Mr. Spiegler hopes we don’t read the full transcript of Mr. Beck’s comments. As for “progressive” being a “conservative curse word,” have you noticed most people don’t like to be associated with lefty policies/programs?
Finally, where’s the constitutional support for this kind of stuff?
“Beck would instinctively loathe any action undertaken by the Obamas without regard to the facts.
“Does a purported arch-conservative like Beck not believe in reducing government expenditures? If he does, would it not follow that the government should take a strong interest in boosting the health of Americans through non-coercive means as the first lady has embraced, that an effort should be made to instill healthy eating habits, to provide nutritional food in schools, and to promote regular physical activity?”
[RWC] At least as far back as 2009 I wrote, “When it comes to a government-run healthcare monopoly, cost control will be the excuse used to control our decisions.” I thank Mr. Spiegler for providing an example showing I was correct.
“Is there somehow a sinister liberal plot in educating a largely-ignorant public as to the positive effects of fitness, nutrition, and exercise?”
[RWC] We are “a largely-ignorant public as to the positive effects of fitness, nutrition, and exercise?” That we are “a largely-ignorant public” is a common argument of lefties for increased government control of our lives.
“Does Beck accept an increasingly obese populace which is inordinately subject to heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and cancer? Like Huckabee, I challenge the president’s unaffordable, big-government ideals that are bankrupting us, but I wholeheartedly embrace anything he and his wife can do to facilitate a healthier, longer-living population.”
[RWC] I suspect Mr. Beck sees Mrs. Obama’s project as a first step on a slippery slope. Does anyone doubt today’s nudges won’t turn into laws down the road? Heck, we’ve already seen that in the ridiculous tobacco taxes (No, I don’t smoke, chew, etc.) and the proposed taxes on sugar-containing drinks. Further, some schools prohibit students from bringing home-packed lunches because they may not meet the school’s idea of a healthy meal. Let’s also remember some of Mrs. Obama’s “initiatives” were placed into law with the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010.
“Like Huckabee, I challenge the president’s unaffordable, big-government ideals that are bankrupting us.” Sure. Mr. Spiegler wrote at least 20 letters to the Times since mid-2007 and the most he said about the topic was a single sentence in a letter he wrote claiming then-candidate Tom Corbett would have to raise taxes. Anyway, how can Mr. Spiegler claim he “challenge[s] the president’s unaffordable, big-government ideals that are bankrupting us” then immediately follow that with “I wholeheartedly embrace anything he [Mr. Obama] and his wife can do to facilitate a healthier, longer-living population?”
“For that, they shall have my eternal admiration and respect.”
[RWC] Who is surprised?
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