It's sad that the plurality our political landscape is devolving into simple polarities. Where does that leave America? Where is the plurality our founding fathers envisioned? No one party should have to speak for the whole nation. No one leader has all the answers. In my view the Democratic party has made itself all but irrelevant at a time of war and economic upheaval. It offers no constructive criticism, no alternative ideas with value. Who are these people who refuse to take the responsibility of "loyal opposition" seriously? They can't be trusted.
If you could have forced yourself to listen to democracynow.org this morning, Robert Fisk was interviewed in Iraq from the broadcast's hostess. Raving about the inevitable doom we are all about to experience due to our abuse of the Arab world, he suggested that damage to the mosques in Najaf is like having Arabs invade England and damage cathedrals in Canturbury, or even destroying monuments in Washington DC here in America.
My first thought was that the left is getting itself far too worked up to be civil anymore. They prattle on as if most of America is being manipulated or coerced into supporting the war in Iraq. They had themselves convinced that the Cold War was unnecessary, and that Iran was liberated by the mullahs. While their rage has been slowly building, they seem to ignore the restraint we've shown.
Someone more religious than I would say, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
I listen to President Bush and other leaders like Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger tonight on Jay Leno trying to help us find common ground, and I appreciate that. Ben Stein today said that we could handle either Kerry or Bush since Kerry had approved the war on Iraq; he made his points with less bravado than the divisive voices such as Moore or Dean.
President Bush is to my left on the issue of gun control, the war, and the marriage amendment. Does democracynow.org understand what that means? I think they and their constituency are so obsessed with its agenda that they don't realize how moderate President Bush really is. He's a paragon of tolerance and patience, and they are only all too lucky to have him smoothing out the waters in this country.
I doubt that Kerry would be able to lead a country he helped divide. We may have to find out if he can. Let's hope we can be more constructive if we aren't with an executive branch that shares our views. I'm going to do my best. Some of you have been for 35 years, ever since you came back to an America you didn't expect, one that didn't appreciate your service in Vietnam. Maybe I'm going to learn something from you all.