Does Levy realize that just about everyone on the Left prefers Buchanan to any of the Neocons? The irony is that the American populist movement transcends political parties. Is Buchanan wrong to suggest that some countries are not developed enough intellectually to have a participatory Democracy? The new left, and their anti-war stance on Iraq is based on a workable political solution, which requires a very different sort of Democracy from the winner take all politics of George Bush, who overthrew Hussein, a strong central ruler, and attempted to replace his dictatorship with a strong central government, which even now is crumbling.

Buchanan directed his party for years, running in the primaries to shape policy, only to see the Neocons throw every decent thing the Republicans stood for out in the street. At least Clinton was charming, and effective, when he moved to the middle. Does Mrs. Clinton really have any room to drift farther in that direction? Mr. Levy should consider the idealism of the far left in America, who are challenging the established leadership of the Democratic party.

Bernard Henri-Levy makes an interesting contradiction in his interview.

He initially says that "No one has the right to take the life of another. No crime, no feeling of revenge, justifies that."

But later he seems to embrace the concept of "spreading democracy," saying that we "do have a dog in this fight."

While I understand that spreading democracy is a very noble idea in the abstract, imposing it forcefully on another country inevitably leads to collateral damage in human lives. Henri-Levy seems to believe that one man dying on death row is a moral abomination, but he glosses over the 10,000 or so that have died in Iraq in our attempt to "spread democracy."

If Levy knows a way to practically bring democracy to undemocratic countries through means other than military force and its resultant loss of innocent life, he didn't mention it in his interview, and as such his condescending attitude towards those that he would describe as "isolationist" rings a bit hollow. I'm not isolationist, I just don't think people should be involuntarily called upon to die for someone else's noble idea.

I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Levy along with William Kristol and Francis Fukuyama at John Hopkins University last night (http://www.sais-jhu.edu/pubaffairs/media_events/Media_Advisories/MA2006/americanvertigo06.html)

The first segment of the program was fairly slow moving: Levy discussed philosophy and intellectuals, and to the point of redundancy his metaphor of 'ordering the whole menu'. Levy also to a certain extent defended some conservatives and conservative principles (and where I tend to agree with Levy the most about how while there is a substantial though disagreeable conservative movement in the neoconservatives, there is no parallel leftist movement in America presently).

The most interesting tid-bit about the forum began when somehow all three talked about Marxism. William Kristol, the EDITOR OF THE WEEKLY STANDARD, talked about Marxism & Leninism, and displayed some historical prowess by concluding that Lenin was right and Marx was wrong. This was centered on whether Marx or Lenin was right about where communism would develop (Marx believed in Western Europe, Lenin believed in underdeveloped nations).

There was a small question and answer session that provided one amazing piece of fodder (apart from lots of bumbling graduate students "uh excuse me I read de Tocqueville and I'm a student and uh oh god im so nervous"). This was a question asked by a rather elderly man that went verbatim: "Does Europe have a future else than being an appendage of North Africa?". I think the question took everyone off guard and there was a fairly long gap between when the question was asked and then answered. But it was worth the wait, as Levy replied "Europe will be no more of an appendage of North Africa than America a suburb of Mexico". Levy then used that to delve into the arena of immigration and integration in society, notably America and French methods of pursuing integration.

The forum ended there and I'll share with you some brief conclusions. At first I got the impression that Levy was a blow hard -- he seemed to talk in an exaggerated Jacques Casteau-esque fashion, was round about in his discourse, and seemed overly eager to defend the right when he is a self-proclaimed Leftist. However, as the discussion continued, he seemed more substantial and his off the cuff responses that were relevant and thought out made me think more of him. I also enjoyed Kristol, but he comes across as a conservative tucked into a little shell that will sometimes make an insightful remark but then quickly retreats back into his party shell.

BHL has always been introduced in France as "Philosophe de Droite", no leftist! BUT! there is no Right anymore in France (West Europe!), see Jacques Chirac! Or maybe it's the Right going more Right; so more Left, I say!

They all sang the same song when it came to The War in Iraq! Keep Saddam!!!

I wonder what he meant by far-right group in America (the KKK?) hating France! I am certainly very mad at the French myself! I can't listen to their endless debates on TV no more! Empty rethoric! They talk like gossipers! Gossipers condemn, accuse, excuse! and most important, are wrong in their assessments!

What makes America America - and I hope you wont succeed in changing America into France or Europe!-, is the fact that It's the only country that is by essence! right-wing! Understanding that it's not an insult, but a plus!!!

Plus don't be afraid by the Right, they are the most Tolerant amongst us!!! Loving, respectful, no slaves!!! (And No slave-traders!)

About Capital Punishment, it's nice to stay alive, but I couldn't live one day behind bars in a small cell, back to my jail days of school (in Europe!). What's more cruel? an overdose of morphine? or 20/30 years of Hell? - Let's say I was not the murderer!

I mean, nothing is so sure! I used to like BHL! Never was interested to (nor could!) read his books! But more he compromises with left-wing clichés, more I thing he has lost it! The day he or anybody else will stop lecturing America about what makes America great, ITS OWN WAYS!; and say for example: "Its a Wonder even when it Bleeds!!!", that day you will all gain my respect for you, the individuals!!!

...for understanding and respecting the Magic of America! Without Conditions!!!

Comparing Guantanamo Bay (with savage taliban) and Torture with the French torturers in Algeria, it's the worst comparison one could make! Everybody is so self-centered unfortunately! Even a well-Known Philosopher! You can't trust these intellectuals! They are not God after all, this one is Polyanna, which is no insult!!!

anyway, beside his contradictions, his is still nicer than many others!

PS. He is certainly right about Pat Buchanan! He should have his own Party! That would be a far-right party?

Or maybe simply the "Pat Buchanan Party"!