It was Peter Viereck who coined the name "new conservatism" in Conservatism revisited from 1949. He meant to make a distinction between the Old Right who where only interested in laissez-faire en the free market. According to Viereck conservatism should have nothing to do with profitmaking or big business. In this book he explains his philosophy. Conservatism should be a moderate form of traditionalism. Opposing the extremes of the left as well as the right of the political spectrum in its admiration for the institutions that build America and preserved it from decaying into anarchy and chaos. Those institutions are the only way of preventing modern man of becoming a caveman again. They are threatened by totalitarianism that is trying to replace tradition by a abstract blueprint serving the selfish impulses of men. It should be the task of conservatives, liberals and the socialist parties in Europe to combat this Rousseauian dream. Viereck used as his historical point of reference not Edmund Burke like some many of the new conservatives did after him (though he gives him a fair treatment and is heavily influenced by him), but Metternich. In this way he can show by analogy the importance of cooperation against a common enemy of mankind. Metternich tried to combat nationalism but did not succeed in convincing the liberals of his time in helping him. Vierecks conservatism doesn't mean that he opposes reform as long as it doesn't harm the constitution of a country. It's better to reform gradually than upset order and harmony. This is his warning to the liberals and the socialists. New conservatives after him, like Russell Kirk and Frank Meyer didn't like his appeal to the liberals. They condemned Viereck as a traitor who sold his conservative soul for power. The new conservatives ousted him and entrenched themselves in their traditionalism. It is easy to dismiss Vierecks book as another example of outdated Cold War studies. But it is still relevant in its analysis of the conservative movement. In a postscript of 1962 he explained why things went wrong. He blames the conservatives for being connecting themselves with populists like Goldwater and fascist like Welch of the John Birch Society. In their hunger for means they forgot their ends. Viereck gives the possibility of learning some valuable lessons from conservatism (even for a die hard socialist like I am) and let us reflect on a cooperation with the sensible elements in the conservative movement. It's easy to dismiss lunatics like Goldwater or Starr. It's harder to come to terms with Vierecks comments on socialism. Conservatism revisited is still a refreshing book after all the rubbish of the impeachment trial. It is time to forgive Judas and give him the attention he deserves as the Peter who helped build the church of American conservatism.

It is quite rhythmic, like a nursery song that doesn't rhyme. Some of the poems will stick in your mind like a catchy tune. If you are interested in reading some of these poems, email me at Aynnoromo@aol.com. I have the text of "terror and decorum" saved in my computer. I can send any poems you'd like to read.