Thursday, July 3, 2008

And David’s Battle With Goliath Does Not Qualify Him To Be King

Retired General Wesley Clark remarked that John McCain’s experience as a prisoner of war does not make him qualified to be President. From the reaction,you would have thought he said Mother Theresa’a work with lepers does not qualify her to be the CEO of Humana Insurance, which, well, it doesn’t; but she is a sacrosanct icon, like McCain The War Hero.
Clark’s statement was basically true. As Bill Brohaugh says, “McCain's sacrifice is unquestioned. And may no human being have to endure what he endured. But to translate that experience into presidential leadership is about the same as saying Patty Hearst hould now be running Bank of America.” My comment to Bill was, “Clark's words are particularly true because the isolation, beatings and interrogation that McCain endured in no way prepare him for the much more punishing media abuse one must endure during a Presidential campaign.” Accordingly, for Clark now, there has been a media frenzy, a rush to repudiation and, the inevitable apology. (It was stupid of Clark anyway: Obama’s non-experience in the military does not qualify him either. And do they want to start comparing quantity of Senate experience? General, just stick to the issues and talk about “Bush’s 3rd term”).
Now even Alanis Morissette has chimed in with a new song about Clark’s “gaffe”:

An old man turned ninety-eight
Had been in Viet Nam and was locked away
He was tortured in ways I cannot say
Doesn’t mean he can lead the free world today
But isn't he iconic... don't you think?

John McCain’s military dossier
Is a free ride, so watch out what you say
That's gen'ral advice Wesley just didn't take
And he got shot...in news wars

Wesley Clarks’ not afraid to die
He served in war and almost went bye-bye
Believes that John McCain is a damn brave guy
But ‘cause his plane crashed down doesn’t
make his Prez bid fly
But isn't he iconic... don't you think?

John McCain’s military dossier
Is a free ride, so watch out what you say
That's gen'ral advice Wesley just didn't take
And he got shot...in news wars

No matter how much the Viet Cong tortured you
Or beat you, interrogated you or shot you through and through
Does not prepare you for what the press can do
You think you said something true and everything blows up
In your face

They’ll jump on you for the least mistake
They twist your words, won’t give you a break
Demand apologies, though what you said is right
But give McCain a pass when he insults his wife
’Cause isn't he iconic...don't you think?
A little too iconic...and, yeah, I really do think...

John McCain’s military dossier
Is a free ride, so watch out what you say
That's gen'ral advice Wesley just didn't take
And he got shot...in news wars
The press has a way of beating up on you
Press has a funny, funny way of calling you out
Calling you out

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1 comment:

Susan said...

If being a POW for five years is the qualification, there are 3 guys on their way back to the US who are now qualified.