Feeding Lions, by Paul A. Ibbetson

Review by W. J. Rayment / ConservativeBookstore -- Paul Ibbetson is a radio talk-show host in Kansas. He is known as the "Conscience of Kansas". He has come out with a book, "Feeding Lions: Sharing the Conservative Philosophy in a Politically Hostile World". His premise is that the jungle or more aptly the zoo can be used as a metaphor for the world. Comparing various groups to different animals, he illustrates his conservative view of the world.

Right from the introduction of Feeding Lions there is much to interest the thoughtful reader. Comparing entering politics and explaining conservatism to liberals is akin to entering the cage of the lion at the zoo. Mr. Ibbetson points out, "As a matter of fact, most people won't step into this cage because of the potential damage that can take place to one's career." As he points out the force of liberal political correctness has many afraid to say anything. It was only a few months ago that the Conservative Monitor was requested to pull several articles by the authors because they were out looking for a job and no longer wished to have their political views known to prospective employers.

"Feeding Lions" addresses many vital issues with cogent analysis, essays, vignettes, and autobiographical asides. Mr. Ibbetson does not pull punches. In a chapter on "Jackals and Monkeys" he deals some heavy blows to Michael Moore, revealing that the man is more opportunist than liberal. His documentaries are built on a foundation of untruths simply to cater to an extreme constituency. Meanwhile Michael Moore holds investments in companies he deigns to condemn.

Although Paul Ibbetson addresses topics that are in the news he does it in a way that uses timeless principles. Thus, even though he might write about some specific current issue, for example the Patriot Act, he discusses it in a way that illustrates how Conservatism solves problems and liberalism merely creates them (or at least allows them to get worse).

Perhaps that biggest issue of our day is the war on Terror, which with the liberals in power is more appropriately called, the One-Sided Terrorist War on Us. In a well thought out essay, "The Politics of the Playground", Ibbetson points out the human nature behind terrorism. Just because we are the biggest kid in school doesn't mean we cannot be picked on. His story reminds me of when I was in junior high, standing in a hallway between classes. A huge kid was talking to someone, more or less minding his own business. He was of such proportions that a sweep of his hand would have knocked down most of us eighth graders. All of a sudden, this short wirey fellow who I knew to be the class trouble maker came up behind him and kicked him in the pants. The big guy looked round, but hardly moved in response. The little guy kept after him until the big kid had tears in his eyes. This could have gone on indefinitely, but the bell rang and we scattered to our various classes. The incident has stuck in my mind to this day. I can see the US as the big kid getting kicked in the pants and doing nothing about it. The fact is we will keep getting kicked as long as we are willing to put up with it. We don't gain the respect of the world for our forbearance, only yet another kick in the pants.

Probably the most important part of the book is in the later chapters when Mr. Ibbetson talks about his own experiences in radio and in working to get the word out to the public about conservative ideas. We learn that he was not simply handed a microphone. He had to work hard to make his voice heard. His story should serve as an inspiration to the rest of us to persevere in our ideals. For them to survive we will have to keep talking about conservatism. We can't let the left continue to dominate the classrooms, television, newspapers, and large swaths of the internet. We can't let their Saul Alinsky tactics allow them to control the government. We live in a republic. The only way for our ideals to survive is to make sure that more than 50 percent of the population understands Conservatism, and then votes their conscience.

Feeding Lions: Sharing the Conservative Philosophy in a Politically Hostile World, by Paul Ibbetson is available at Amazon.