To the editor:

In George Will’s column of April 15 he writes of a supposed liberal “rhetorical tactic” that he alleges Barack Obama is currently employing: “The tactic is to dismiss rather than refute those with whom you disagree.” Even though in this particular column he refers to or quotes from four scholarly books, several influential and renowned academic figures and historical icons of three political generations, the actual substance of his column comes down to the classic conservative chestnut of the charge of “liberal condescension.”

No reasoning is offered, other than some dubious psychological profiles of noted liberals, all pre-1970. The evidence? Will’s very questionable interpretation of Obama’s “implication.” Just say the words, “Liberals are condescending” – what more refutation is required? (He even trots out, without apparent relevance, Jeane Kirkpatrick’s resilient warhorse of a quote about those who “blame America first.”)

Not only does Will not offer any proof for his claim that Obama dismisses rather than refutes, this revered columnist does exactly that himself. The irony is compounded by the condescension evident in his belief that such thin argumentation is sufficient. Why bother dealing with the issues when you can simply impugn your adversaries’ characters and motivation?

Chris Greene,
Lawrence