Changes

Toledano emerged as a columnist, author, and political thinker, writing for [[William F. Buckley, Jr.]]'s ''National Review'', ''The Wall Street Journal'', the ''Washington Times'', ''Texas Monthly'', and Thomas Fleming's ''Chronicles Magazine'', a paleoconservative publication from Rockford, Illinois. Paleoconservatives generally follow the viewpoints of such individuals as the defeated presidential candidate [[Patrick J. Buchanan]] or the columnist Samuel T. Francis (1947-2005). They believe that "neoconservatives" in national Republican administrations have "sold out" traditional Republican values to keep the United States involved in endless war to promote "democracy" and international trade agreements which lead to outsourcing and decline of American jobs. Toledano hence writes in the Buchanan-Francis mold by taking what the media would call "hard-right" positions on issues.  

Toledano emerged as a columnist, author, and political thinker, writing for [[William F. Buckley, Jr.]]'s ''National Review'', ''The Wall Street Journal'', the ''Washington Times'', ''Texas Monthly'', and Thomas Fleming's ''Chronicles Magazine'', a paleoconservative publication from Rockford, Illinois. Paleoconservatives generally follow the viewpoints of such individuals as the defeated presidential candidate [[Patrick J. Buchanan]] or the columnist Samuel T. Francis (1947-2005). They believe that "neoconservatives" in national Republican administrations have "sold out" traditional Republican values to keep the United States involved in endless war to promote "democracy" and international trade agreements which lead to outsourcing and decline of American jobs. Toledano hence writes in the Buchanan-Francis mold by taking what the media would call "hard-right" positions on issues.  

Over the years, Toledano spoke out against the "barbaric" practice of New Orleans Mardi Gras, the most popular of his city's annual festivals. He praised the Jewish community in the city, who he claimed had primarily preserved the best of New Orleans social culture.  

Over the years, Toledano spoke out against the "barbaric" practice of New Orleans Mardi Gras, the most popular of his city's annual festivals. He praised the [[Jewish]] community in the city, who he claimed had primarily preserved the best of New Orleans social culture.  

In 1981, Governor [[Edwin Edwards]] said that he expected to draw considerable Republican support when he ran for a third term in 1983 against sitting Republican Governor David Treen. But, Edwards clarified, "I would not want Ben Toledano supporting me … he’s poison. I don’t want him involved in my campaign." Toledano replied: "Most people don’t receive very many special compliments in a lifetime. I am deeply flattered by Edwards’ remarks. Love me most for the enemies I have made."

In 1981, Governor [[Edwin Edwards]] said that he expected to draw considerable Republican support when he ran for a third term in 1983 against sitting Republican Governor David Treen. But, Edwards clarified, "I would not want Ben Toledano supporting me … he’s poison. I don’t want him involved in my campaign." Toledano replied: "Most people don’t receive very many special compliments in a lifetime. I am deeply flattered by Edwards’ remarks. Love me most for the enemies I have made."

In 2004, Toledano wrote a review of Kevin Price Phillips's ''American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush''. Toledano wrote: "There was a time when people in high places believed in avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. Phillips' book suggest that the Bushes do not even know what propriety is." Toledano continued, in reference to the religious conversion of [[George W. Bush]]: "I choose not to question the sincerity of George W.’s conversion and faith . . . Unlike his father, whose deeds defy and defile his words, he may well be a true believer even if he uses his beliefs to obtain political support and votes."

In 2004, Toledano wrote a review of ''American Dynasty: Aristocracy, Fortune and the Politics of Deceit in the House of Bush'' by Kevin Price Phillips (born 1940), the author of the better-known 1969 work, ''The Emerging Republican Majority.'' Toledano wrote: "There was a time when people in high places believed in avoiding even the appearance of impropriety. Phillips' book suggest that the Bushes do not even know what propriety is." Toledano continued, in reference to the religious conversion of [[George W. Bush]]: "I choose not to question the sincerity of George W.’s conversion and faith . . . Unlike his father, whose deeds defy and defile his words, he may well be a true believer even if he uses his beliefs to obtain political support and votes."

At the time of [[Hurricane Katrina]], Toledano penned a well-known column entitled "New Orleans -- An Autopsy"  about the political implications of Katrina on New Orleans, having concluded that the city was in rampant social decay for a generation before the storm struck so severely in August 2005.

At the time of [[Hurricane Katrina]], Toledano penned a well-known column entitled "New Orleans -- An Autopsy"  about the political implications of Katrina on New Orleans, having concluded that the city was in rampant social decay for a generation before the storm struck so severely in August 2005.