Sleepy Fred

I'm amused at today's Wall Street Journal opinion piece by Fred Thompson, titled "The Death of Conservatism is Greatly Exaggerated." Referring to conservative principles, he writes:

They also helped to establish liberal trade policies and to meld idealism and realism in our foreign and military policies.

Um, which is it, Fred? In foreign policy, the tenets of realism ("the strong do what they will") and idealism ("yay human rights and international institutions") are DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSED.

Unless, of course, they're melded. Wake me when November ends.