Writes Brian Dunaway:

Lew,

I was drawn to Tom Woods’ article “Stephen Colbert Is Actually a Robot Designed by Henry Kissinger.”

With regard to Mr. Colbert, I presume to believe Mr. Woods might be more correct than he intended. Mr. Colbert, perhaps in not so many words, admits that he is awkward – his interviews are often awful for that reason, and he has suggested he has difficulties relating to people on a personal level. This admission has made me, at times, very sympathetic to him. I believe he is a person seeking humanity that often finds the search difficult.

Perhaps he retreats to less empathetic exchanges for reasons of comfort. I don’t know. He’s obviously intelligent. Surely he knew what he was doing the night he interviewed Tulsi Gabbard.

But first, full disclosure: I have a bit of a crush on Ms. Gabbard. Of course, with all crushes, I’ll soon regret it. But in my defense, it’s not all about the curve of her face, not by a long shot. If AOC were saying what Ms. Gabbard is saying … well only God knows.

But I know what I know.

I’ll dispose of the “there are tons of things on which we disagree” qualifier, as it would serve to protect me at the expense of her, and surely misses the point.

It is Character I discern in Ms. Gabbard. It is written in her Face. It is written in her Speech. It is written in her Determination. In her Kindness. Strength. Responsibility. Dignity.

I have asked many a detractor, who steadfastly stands with the State, for example: “Assume, as I’m certain it is easy, that Edward Snowden is wrongfully minded in every belief, every action, every loyalty. Can you not at least see him as heroic? In what way is his life made easier by holding to such unpopular and controversial principles?”

I believe Ms. Gabbard to be as heroic as anyone gracing our legislature. I sincerely hope she considers that a compliment.

As would be expected, the spirit of Mr. Colbert’s attack on Ms. Gabbard was humorless and sterile, attacking her with the lei on her shoulders, and so much more:

If we are not, though, nature abhors a vacuum, and if we are not involved in international conflicts, or trying to quell international conflicts, certainly the Russians and the Chinese will fill that vacuum. And we will step away from the world stage in a significant way that might destabilize the world, because the United States, however flawed, is a force for good in the world in my opinion.

Yes, as Mr. Woods suggests, this question could have been asked by Dick Cheney or John McCain. But since the question reflects a popular, even arguably a majority, opinion, it is perhaps a fair enough question. But I believe Ms. Gabbard fielded it quite well, in the general ant-interventionist (albeit not necessarily libertarian) context:

In order to be a force for good we must actually do good. The consequences of these regime change war policies have been horrible. It has been completely the opposite of that intention, of that good that the United States should be standing for. So, I don’t advocate for isolationists, that’s not at all what I’m talking about. I’m talking about making sure that we have relationships with other countries that’s based on cooperation, not conflict, and that we’re thinking through and exercising foresight on the decisions that we’re making, and understanding what those consequences are.

Mr. Colbert was on the attack, to be certain, but the next question was beyond the pale, and embarrassingly obvious. With her concise and eloquent response still hanging in the air, without letting a moment pass, Mr. Colbert asks:

You’ve gotten some fans in the Trump supporter world – David Duke, Steve Bannon and, uh, Matt uh Gates – is that his name? Gates? [That is, I don’t know him, but of course you’re in bed with him, so you must know.] What do you make of how much they like you?

After this wholly disgusting setup, she was nevertheless absolutely unflappable. As I said, character. She responded, “You’ll have to ask them,” then a stock denunciation of racism.

She maintained her friendly aplomb during the subsequent cutesy wrap-up about surfing lessons.

So, Dear Mr. Colbert, not even one single voice is allowed against the Empire? Not. Even. One?

You can take this to heart, Mr. Colbert – at least you didn’t parrot the Democratic Party line (with the dutiful assistance of the MSM) that she is a Russian stooge.

Mr. Colbert, I know your humanity is in there. Free yourself – I know you’re capable of original thought. You might even find it interesting, and rewarding.