Bring It On
This is way beyond the emperor's new clothes. The emperor mooned the public last week, and supporters are lining up to praise his rosy pink rectum. That’s about the state of things in this country following President Bush’s infamous “bring them on” remark last week, and the scurry among the talking heads to pretend that this was something other than an utterly offensive and boneheaded piece of moronic bluster.
Water-carriers like Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kansas) say, with a straight face, that the remark was not intended to be an invitation to attackers. I have also heard people argue that terrorists are not sitting in front of their TV sets, waiting for President Bush to give them permission and encouragement to attack US troops.
Well, no. But only a blockheaded dolt or someone willfully misunderstanding the use of language would possibly make that interpretation. What Bush said was that preserving the swaggering supremacy of US authority in Iraq was worth the lives of a few servicemen here and there. “Your puny little attacks don’t hurt us,” is the message that Bush – who could not be bothered to complete his own lightweight military service in the early 70s – uttered from the safety of the White House, while ordinary American soldiers are getting picked off in the midst of a hostile war-zone.
Imagine for a moment that you have a loved one in the line of fire in Iraq. You know they have a job to do and you pray for their safe return, knowing the risks and uncertainties of war and occupation create the chance – even if remote – that they won’t be coming back. Now listen to the words of the Commander-in-Chief, for whom the soldiers are simply instruments of his own machismo and pride. “Bring ‘em on – we’ll fight to the last drop of your loved ones’ blood to show those raghead bastards who's boss!” The natural human reaction to this kind of ugly display is shame and horror, and you could see and hear it in the hours that followed.
Still, on the Sunday TV programs, I saw one intellectually-respectable conservative after another compromise every shred of their personal integrity to defend this categorically ridiculous and offensive remark. One would hope that even diehard right-wingers could acknowledge a breach of common decency this flagrant and foolish. Would it hurt to let the President take a few well-deserved lumps for letting his mouth get ahead of his brain here? Does every idiotic, ill-considered brag and utterance require the full-throated defense of the faithful?
It seems we have our answer. I hope the press and the country take note.
9:41:19 AM 
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