Media Elite
September 21, 2012 | 12:36 PM

Jack:

"I find it funny that you criticize the President for his foreign policy experience and actions while denigrating his consultation of the "academic elite" when your background is in the arts. Aren't you just another unqualified member of the media judging foreign policy choices which you (nor I) have no real knowledge of?"

Those of us who have obtained an education in history and geopolitics through observation, study and interest are not categorically stupid or unqualified to observe and warn. Card is not a perfect observer, but I'll listen to him over a number of "pros". Credentials are nice, but are no guarantee of insight.

One of the pros I most distrust in this arena, by the way, is our Vice President, Joe Biden. While touted as a foreign policy expert, he has never demonstrated an understanding of the world's actual workings. His proposals have been ludicrous in many cases. Disastrous, in fact.

It reminds me of the wonderful work that the foreign-policy experts of the time made of WW1 and WW2, Vietnam, etc. Being a pro doesn't mean being right, apparently. And being a gifted amateur doesn't mean having to shut up. The real problem? The know-nothing media elites having such influence to swing policy.

As far as your historical qualifications - your evaluation of the Pax Romana made me shake my head, and I don't consider myself anything approaching a savant on that one. Read up...

Prufrock