| | I normally don't do political posts for two reasons:
1. People often become unbelievably irate when they feel like their political views aren't shared by someone of a different ideology (no matter which ideology it is).
2. I don't often see the relevancy of politics in our day-to-day lives. So much of it is a game that is done at the public's expense (just look at the U.S. Senate ads these days).
But, today, I became one of the "unbelievably irate" people when Sen. John Kerry made his now infamous statement, what he later referred to as "a botched joke," at a political rally in a group of college students. Kerry had made the comment that those who didn't do well in school would be forced to serve in Iraq.
In Kerry's defense - and it sure seems like he needs one - I don't think his intent was to bash the military. I think he was shooting for Bush, and it backfired because he either didn't think clearly about what he was saying (something he accused Bush for in the 2004 election) or didn't care at the time. What made me mad was how defensive he was about the statement. He called it "a botched joke" on Don Imus' nationally syndicated radio show. When Republicans blasted Kerry, he was quick to say that he wouldn't apologize for his "criticism of the President" or the administration. On Imus' show, he did apologize to the military, saying, "I'm sorry that that's happened." He then stood by his conviction that this was all a smear campaign used by the Republicans.
I'll be honest, I have had many concerns with the current administration, particularly on the issue of the War in Iraq (as well as issues of healthcare, education, and the death penalty). I also realize that at the end of the day, I know nothing about government. I also am aware that to immediately pull out of what we've started (whether a mistake or not), could be highly dangerous.
Still, even with my concerns, I was deeply offended at the notion that a U.S. Senator - particularly one who served his country in the military - would give the impression that those in our military might not be the brainiest people in our society. For one thing, it was highly, HIGHLY unprofessional (not to mention unpresidential) to say such a thing. For another thing, some of the most intelligent, intellectual, and book-smart people I have ever known are in the military - they keep in mind that the military service helps to pay for their college education.
On top of that, I also wonder what Kerry would think of our most prestigious military schools, such as West Point Military Academy. Schools like West Point do not deal with second-rate high school students and require some of the most highly academic records in the nation.
I think Kerry's comments have alienated a lot of his one-time voting constituency and a lot of his own party members. This has created a Republican outburst toward Democrats, particularly in a time when Democrats would like to take some of their seats back in the Senate and in Congress. This is especially unfortunate for Democrats who do not share Kerry's views or to those who have supported the war in Iraq.
It's all truly a sign that there truly is no middle ground in this growing civil "dispute" (let's not use "war" here) between red states and blue states.
I must say that I still relate so well to Jay Leno's quote in Details Magazine in 2004, "Everytime I think I'm a Republican, they go and do something really greedy, and everytime I think I'm a Democrat, they go and do something really stupid!"
Technorati Tags: Politics, War+In+Iraq, John+Kerry, Democrats, Republicans
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| | Posted 11/1/2006 6:28 PM - 38 Views - 4 eProps - 2 comments
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