Atlantic Magazine has an interesting article, "Why War Is His Answer," about McCain. Jeffrey Greenburg, the author, points out that John McCain is not still fighting Vietnam. He actually takes his view of war from WWII.
He was 9 years old when his father came home to ticker tape parades, churches flooded with people giving thanks, and general acclaim. This is the picture in his mind of how wars are supposed to end. This is what McCain means by "honor."
Lying about health care, raising taxes, and the economy? Blatantly false personal attacks on your opponent? That's just "politics," according to McCain. What's important is "honor," specifically, restoring "honor" to the US by winning a war. And ticker tape parades, don't forget those.
How can running a campaign so scurrilously dishonest that even Karl Rove disapproves be "honorable?" It can't, of course. What McCain calls "honor" has a more accurate name -- "glory."
Suddenly, it all makes sense. If every time McCain says 'honor,' you hear 'glory,' you'll see that he is perfectly consistent. Whacked out, but consistent.
Of course, saying that he seeks the glory of the U.S. isn't quite as attractive as saying he seeks the "honor" of the U.S. Saying that he himself is a glory-seeker actually has a nasty edge to it.
Still, ticker tape parades? Doesn't have much to do with honor, but it's perfectly consistent with glory.
Lay the blame on Tom Brokaw for the post WW2 desire for glory. His book "The Greatest Generation" made chicken hawks out of a lot of people. Now they all walk around with their dicks in their hands seeking the same accolades. Will someone please remind them that we lost Vietnam and Reagan ran away from Beruit? Dorme bene
Please, everyone, stop saying we "lost" Vietnam. According to Nixon's victory speech, what we were trying to achieve, and what we did achieve, was "Peace with Honor."
So, check it -- since the treaty, have you been attacked or dishonored by a North Vietnamese? See? We won! Mission Accomplished!
You thing McCain would "take a bullet" for his party?? Hmmmmm... Dorme bene
ReplyDeleteAtlantic Magazine has an interesting article, "Why War Is His Answer," about McCain. Jeffrey Greenburg, the author, points out that John McCain is not still fighting Vietnam. He actually takes his view of war from WWII.
ReplyDeleteHe was 9 years old when his father came home to ticker tape parades, churches flooded with people giving thanks, and general acclaim. This is the picture in his mind of how wars are supposed to end. This is what McCain means by "honor."
Lying about health care, raising taxes, and the economy? Blatantly false personal attacks on your opponent? That's just "politics," according to McCain. What's important is "honor," specifically, restoring "honor" to the US by winning a war. And ticker tape parades, don't forget those.
How can running a campaign so scurrilously dishonest that even Karl Rove disapproves be "honorable?" It can't, of course. What McCain calls "honor" has a more accurate name -- "glory."
Suddenly, it all makes sense. If every time McCain says 'honor,' you hear 'glory,' you'll see that he is perfectly consistent. Whacked out, but consistent.
Of course, saying that he seeks the glory of the U.S. isn't quite as attractive as saying he seeks the "honor" of the U.S. Saying that he himself is a glory-seeker actually has a nasty edge to it.
Still, ticker tape parades? Doesn't have much to do with honor, but it's perfectly consistent with glory.
To Anon # 2, you can't use Rove as a litmus test. Everything he says is calculated for some other effect.
ReplyDeleteLay the blame on Tom Brokaw for the post WW2 desire for glory. His book "The Greatest Generation" made chicken hawks out of a lot of people. Now they all walk around with their dicks in their hands seeking the same accolades. Will someone please remind them that we lost Vietnam and Reagan ran away from Beruit? Dorme bene
ReplyDeletewe lost Vietnam
ReplyDeleteWe lost Vietnam because Democrats defunded the war. Sound familiar?
anon 11:29 the volkssturm is taking "volunteers" for Iraq. You should go.
ReplyDeleteYou have to understand, Ted, that the target audience of Republicans doesn't read, and votes purely on emotion because...they don't read.
ReplyDeleteDeliberation will always lose because it takes time. We're running in circles.
I think you mean having multiple personalities
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:29 and 12:12
ReplyDeletePlease, everyone, stop saying we "lost" Vietnam. According to Nixon's victory speech, what we were trying to achieve, and what we did achieve, was "Peace with Honor."
So, check it -- since the treaty, have you been attacked or dishonored by a North Vietnamese? See? We won! Mission Accomplished!