David Brooks - Funnier Than Mel Brooks

Sydney Brillo Duodenum went back to his copy of Mr. Brooks' interview with Governor Palin and discovered that Mr. Brooks did not bring up the nuances of Rheinhold Niebuhr in his conversations with that Palin woman. In fact he did not bring up any issues with Governor Palin because he has not interviewed Governor Palin.

Sarah Palin is a cancer. Nay, a "fatal cancer." Well. Thank you for the clarity, Dr. Brooks. Let's all proceed to hospice, shall we?

When has David Brooks sought to flesh out Governor Palin's ideas? Why does he find it acceptable as a conservative mandarin to make judgements based on an interview conducted by that other unsung intellectual Katie Couric? Why did he not pursue such an interview when Palin was elected governor two years ago?

Supposedly, Brooks is to conservative trend spotting as Tom Friedman is to capturing the perfect globalization annecdote. Lately, Brooks has been lamenting the future of conservatism, but one must have a firm sense of the past and present state of something, if one wishes to be taken seriously prognosticating on its future. Brooks never took Palin seriously before she became serious. He missed the last ferry from Gravina. SBD is sure that Mr. Brooks noticed the governor of Alaska a while ago, but his own elitism and myopia prevented him from understanding what and who she represents.

Brooks fancies himself a possible Buckley replacement, but whereas Buckley was indeed a wonderful elitist, in addition to standing athwart history and yelling stop as need be, he also knew how stand with history and let it happen. It also stretches the imagination to believe that Buckley would have said the things that Brooks has said on the eve of a critical election.

And yes, Sydney B. Duodenum is taking notes and making lists, regardless of the way this election breaks. A propos and with thoughts for our Jewish brothers this evening, there will be atonement, either way.