Blog post

October 31, 2006 [LINK / comment]

Kerry's gaffe: "stuck in Iraq"

Sen. John Kerry is well known for holding a haughty contempt toward average Americans, and it was revealed once again today while speaking in California. He jestingly told a group of college students that if if they didn't study hard, they might get "stuck in Iraq." It probably never occurred to Kerry that, for all the hardships and danger, most of our troops over there in the "sand box" take pride in the valuable service they are performing. It is not some useless menial chore, as he seemed to imply, it is a vital mission. Kerry later said it was a "botched joke" aimed at the president, but refused to apologize for it. Dumb, dumb, dumb. President Bush came back swinging, insisting that "our troops deserve our gratitude and respect" (CNN.com), but it probably wasn't necessary. Let Kerry keep digging his own (party's) grave.

Austin Bay, whose military service credentials are impeccable, writes that "Kerry has resurrected the Vietnam Syndrome -- at least his and the left wing of the Democratic Party's Vietnam (loser's) Syndrome." Kerry has aptly reminded the American people, exactly one week before the election, what a vast difference there is on national security policy between the two parties: One side takes it seriously, and the other side sneers at it. Quite a nice electoral "treat" for the Republicans on Halloween!

P.C. ostracism

Jewish blogger Judith Weiss has a long post in reaction to a New York Times article on how partisan differences are creating deep divisions within many families these days. Most Republicans are reticent about talking politics, whereas Democrats tend to live up to the feisty "donkey" attitude and proselytize on politics as though it were a religion. In practice, the party that espouses "diversity" is extremely intolerant of contrary opinions and assumptions. The description of situations in which people she knows have been shunned as outcasts for their conservative beliefs really resonates with me.