NYC Letter: Jeane Kirkpatrick

JEANE DUANE JORDAN KIRKPATRICK
November 19, 1926 – December 7, 2006
Requiescat In Pace

In November 1979 Commentary published Dictatorships & Double Standards, a scathing critique of the Carter administration's foreign policy failures and America adrift in the world. The author was Jeane Kirkpatrick, a Democrat and Georgetown University professor. The essay brought Dr. Kirkpatrick to the attention of Ronald Reagan, who appointed her United States Ambassador to the UN -- serving notice that America would no longer be playing Turtle Bay patty-cake.

It was a pleasure to hear her speak because what she said was the product of thought, thought well thought and well expressed. Dr. Kirkpatrick looked at the world and saw what so many pretend not to see. That America is a force for good against much that is bad, and the forces arrayed against it are formidable and need to be resisted not accommodated.

For example, she saw the larger forces behind the transformation of a huddle of Transjordan refugees into a historical people in sudden need of a state.

This view, this plain sight, is abhorrent to those who believe tea parties and ice cream will smooth down the world. Not surprisingly, Dr. Kirkpatrick was wildly unpopular with many of the UN delegates and missions.

And now she is gone. She will be missed.

Dictatorships & Double Standards, continues to influence America's foreign policy to this day. We highly recommend the read.

Obituaries:

JEANE KIRKPATRICK, 1926-2006
NYPost December 9, 2006

JEANE KIRKPATRICK, REAGAN’S FORCEFUL ENVOY, DIES
NYT December 9, 2006

Remembrances:

IN PRAISE OF JEANE KIRKPATRICK
Michael Novak, First Things December 8, 2006

CELEBRATING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF JEANE KIRKPATRICK
Jack Kemp, Townhall December 11, 2006