2006.12.03
Progress for Progressives
I know this happened last week but it still makes me smile to think about it.
At a recent White House reception for freshman members of Congress, Virginia’s newest senator tried to avoid President Bush. Democrat James Webb declined to stand in a presidential receiving line or to have his picture taken with the man he had often criticized on the stump this fall. But it wasn’t long before Bush found him.“How’s your boy?” Bush asked, referring to Webb’s son, a Marine serving in Iraq.
“I’d like to get them out of Iraq, Mr. President,” Webb responded, echoing a campaign theme.
“That’s not what I asked you,” Bush said. “How’s your boy?”
“That’s between me and my boy, Mr. President,” Webb said coldly, ending the conversation on the State Floor of the East Wing of the White House.
This pissed off a lot of the blowhard pundits who think it was rude of Webb when President Bush was snippy with him. These were the same people who probably thought it was cool when Cheney said, “Fuck yourself,” on the Senate floor.
For so long the conservative movement has portrayed liberals and progressives as being pussies with no spine and no authority. The worst thing is that they have been repeating this meme so long even liberals and progressives were beginning to believe it. This always pissed me off.
Now I’m just waiting for some conservative pundit to spout their usual tripe and someone like Webb to just start laughing at them. On television. Nationally.
Conservative Pundit: What you don’t understand is that by not allowing the privatization of Social Security you are ruining the institution of marriage for one man and one woman. This aids and abets the terrorists in their war on Freedom, which we will fight by building a chain link fence on our borders and a database on American citizens to protect them and their unborn children. I know God would agree it’s for the best. If you don’t agree you must be a Godless homosexual pushing your agenda to undermine the liberty of all Americans.Progressive Pundit: (pointing at Conservative Pundit) Bwa-ha ha!
Well I can dream, right?
3 Comments Categorized: political thoughts
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3 Responses to “Progress for Progressives”
- NHK says (December 4th, 2006 at 20:06:00 )
Good on Mr. Webb for setting a fine example of how to deal with an arrogant, ineffective – and in this case – irresponsible manager. Nobody deserves respect soley because they happen to be in a position of power. If this country were run as many corporations are, do you think Bush would have the respect of his employees as CEO? What would his yearly review be like (other than highly amusing and cringe-worthy if posted on You Tube) given his approval ratings? I think he’d be filing for unemployment in January after implementation of the congressional layoffs and reorganization.
Analogy aside, when will the liberals and progressives you speak of realize that the conservatives don’t and haven’t ‘played nice’ in years? I mean, yeah, it would be cool if the Democrats could work *with* the GOP, but…well, I certainly don’t need to lecture you about the pitfalls of a two-party democracy. In short, the liberals *have* been pussies and they have allowed themselves to be bullied.
Here’s a quote from Nancy Pelosi that gives me much hope, though: “If people are ripping your face off, you have to rip their face offâ€
Sad that it’s come to that, but…bring it on, sister!
- Mookee says (December 5th, 2006 at 22:14:01 )
I’ll admit, I was a bit annoyed by the exchange, until Webb stated,
“No offense to the institution of the presidency, and I’m certainly looking forward to working with him and his administration. [But] leaders do some symbolic things to try to convey who they are and what the message is.”
Too many times in life we see those in positions being respected because they’re in the positions that they’re in (take any celebrity, for example … especially a jackass or moron … Paris Hilton, Lindsey Lohan, and Britney Spears come to mind — not that they’re political (too stupid), but you get my meaning) and we see the masses bowing at their feet for their celebrity.
Mr. Webb hit the nail squarely on the head with his statement. You can love Bush or hate Bush, doesn’t matter, the man doesn’t respect Bush as a man. Perhaps it was a bit more vague than I would have liked, but the point was made, “I respect the office of the president, it doesn’t mean I have to respect the man who is president.”
It reminds me of many an officer back when I was in the military. There were many who one was forced to respect because they wore a certain rank on their sleeve, but believe me, many of them had no respect from the men they commanded. Luckily, I was in the Navy, it was just a matter of fixing planes, etc., as opposed to actually having them give orders that could have gotten someone killed.
Webb is exactly the type of person Congress needs. Someone who will speak their mind. I just hope he isn’t branded as uncooperative … not that being such is bad, but rather because when one receives such a label, few people want them at the party. Right now, the party needs those that are willing to say what’s true, even if that “truth” is only an opinion.
- douglas.nerad » The Decision Maker says (January 27th, 2007 at 17:42:34 )
[...] The idea that Bush is a sort of abusive parent is why it’s refreshing to see people like Jim Webb (D-VA) not intimidated by the supposed parent, who speaks his mind, and can call a spade a spade (or an abuser and abuser). [...]
