Chavez resorts to old school smearing:
Linda Chavez, W.'s former Labor Secretary, writes in an Op-ED that Jean Sara Rohe's impromptu speech at the New School's commencement ceremony denouncing John McCain's politics was a "self-indulgent little tirade." In her own self-indulgent and dishonest tirade Chavez writes that she's outraged that these "spoiled kids" would dare take McCain to task for his support of the Iraq war --- outraged! Doesn't Rohe know that McCain spent five years in a North Vietnamese POW camp and was tortured and beaten repeatedly to ensure that Rohe and her fellow protesters "might enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?"
I find it interesting that Chavez conveniently forgot about her former boss' dirty tricks in the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary. If I remember correctly, George Bush's operatives orchestrated a very nasty whispering campaign against McCain hinting that he was possibly insane and also had a black baby out of wedlock. Now that's the real way to honor a war hero!
Chavez' concern to protect the feelings of war heroes against the onslaught of 21-year olds hurling "leftist chestnuts," is touching, but rings slightly insincere as I don't recall her coming to the defense of John Kerry whose distinguished war record was savaged by the president's attack dogs in the 2004 presidential race. And where was the outrage when Max Cleland, a triple amputee and decorated Vietnam hero and former Senator, was accused of being a supporter of Osama Bin Laden in his re-election campaign in 2002? He too was a victim of her party's shameless campaign tactics that have brought political discourse in this country to a new low.
What really is inexcusable about Chavez' screed against Jean Sara Rohe is that she's exploiting the sacrifice of great men like John McCain and others as a stick to beat up a group of 20 somethings who have every right to express their political views, especially in a setting that was intended to honor them. As hard as it may be for Chavez to fathom, the students at New College do deserve honor for graduating, that's the whole point of commencement. It was John McCain who decided accept the invitation to speak and use it as a political platform to further his presidential ambitions, therefore he deserves what he gets. He's a big boy, Linda, he can handle it, spare me your sanctimonious crocodile tears.
I find it interesting that Chavez conveniently forgot about her former boss' dirty tricks in the 2000 South Carolina Republican primary. If I remember correctly, George Bush's operatives orchestrated a very nasty whispering campaign against McCain hinting that he was possibly insane and also had a black baby out of wedlock. Now that's the real way to honor a war hero!
Chavez' concern to protect the feelings of war heroes against the onslaught of 21-year olds hurling "leftist chestnuts," is touching, but rings slightly insincere as I don't recall her coming to the defense of John Kerry whose distinguished war record was savaged by the president's attack dogs in the 2004 presidential race. And where was the outrage when Max Cleland, a triple amputee and decorated Vietnam hero and former Senator, was accused of being a supporter of Osama Bin Laden in his re-election campaign in 2002? He too was a victim of her party's shameless campaign tactics that have brought political discourse in this country to a new low.
What really is inexcusable about Chavez' screed against Jean Sara Rohe is that she's exploiting the sacrifice of great men like John McCain and others as a stick to beat up a group of 20 somethings who have every right to express their political views, especially in a setting that was intended to honor them. As hard as it may be for Chavez to fathom, the students at New College do deserve honor for graduating, that's the whole point of commencement. It was John McCain who decided accept the invitation to speak and use it as a political platform to further his presidential ambitions, therefore he deserves what he gets. He's a big boy, Linda, he can handle it, spare me your sanctimonious crocodile tears.
posted by William Duane at 1:15 PM
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