Following in the footsteps of other leading Right Wing blogs
Powerline and Hugh Hewitt, now
Instapundit joins in the practice of making up smears against Democrats and the "Left":
A while back, some people were upset that I identified Ward Churchill with the current state of the Left. But the Left certainly seems to be identifying with Ward Churchill.
Instapundit's evidence? This:
America-hating "ethnic studies" professor Ward Churchill finally managed to dodge disinvitation and give a speech on a college campus last night. The venue was the University of Wisconsin's Whitewater campus . . . [J]ust prior to Churchill's address, a student rally celebrating free speech--and Churchill's appearance--will take place on campus, sponsored by the College Democrats, the campus Green Party and the Whitewater United for Peace Party.
Excuse me, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College Dems speak for the "Left"? A rally celebrating free speech is supporting Churchill's statements? This is the equivalent of the Left embracing Ward Churchill? No, this is making stuff up. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College Dems doesn't speak for the Left. Nor is it necessarily true that they are embracing Churchill.
Now, I happen to be someone who condemned both Lawrence Summers AND Ward Churchill. Churchill's statements were repugnant and unacceptable. Summers' statements were offensive, inaccurate and and irresponsible. If Summers and Churchill get fired, it won't bother me at all. They are both well able to assert their legal rights, if any, to avoid such a result. And yet, when it comes to Summers, criticising him is being "politically correct." But with Churchill, calling for his firing is "PERFECTLY correct," according to the Right Wing.
But the real point is this - Republicans and the Right Wing WANT Democrats and the "Left" to be viewed as America Haters. And they are willing to dissemble to create that impression.
Republican Saxby Chamblss did it in 2002 when he lied about Max Cleland. The Bush Campaign did it in 2004 camaign when they implied that Kerry's criticism of Bush's performance as President was tantamount to treason. Powerline did it when they labelled Jimmy Carter a traitor. Now Instapundit does it as well.
Their frustration stems from the fact that Democrats and "fringe Left" folks like me love our country. So they have to make stuff up. And they do.