Sunday, March 18, 2007

But He Does Got A Purty Mouth

I saw Tom DeLay on Meet the Press this morning. He was his usual smug, smarmy, bullying self. He said he had to question the patriotism of anyone who voiced opposition to the war in Iraq. Once embarked upon a war, he said, it is incumbant upon us all to pull together. He implies that anyone who doesn't is a traitor. Simple as that.

I'm hearing this kind of sentiment more and more from voices on the Right. That there is no room for dissent on the issue of the war in Iraq. That anything less than unqualified support does insult and injury to the troops in the field and aids and abets the enemy.

I've never liked Tom DeLay. He's all bluster and hair oil. A failed rat killer and dirty politican. That Republicans see him as a leader and spokesman says reams about the state of partisan politics in the country today.

Patriotism is about the esteem and love which we hold for the country which has nurtured us so well. It's fair to assume that this love manifests itself in different ways, in different people. While I personally dispise Tom Delay and believe he is a felon and should do hard time, I do not question his patriotism. That he questions mine does not trouble me. He is a redneck mutant. Kind of like that little boy in Deliverance, only without the banjo.

2 comments:

Old Gary said...

Many people here in Texas see Delay as a bully and somewhat crooked. But I don't think his manipulation of monetary donations that got him in trouble rises to the level of a felony.

Anonymous said...

You said some very eloquent things about patriotism, and what it is. But the Dhimmicrats conduct as much partisan politics now that they're in power, as the GOP did. What goes around comes around in D.C. It's a 2-way street. Let's be honest all the way around.