Sunday, May 07, 2006
BOBO FOR KERRY
It’s dangerous when America’s leadership is unwilling to admit mistakes. A few days ago John Kerry mistakenly credited Thomas Jefferson with a stupid line about dissent:
"This is not the first time in American history when patriotism has been distorted to deflect criticism and mislead the nation,” warned Senator Kerry, placing his courage in the broader historical context. “No wonder Thomas Jefferson himself said: ‘Dissent is the greatest form of patriotism.’"
So, has the Great Mekong Warrior corrected that mistake? Nope. Here’s his latest speech, as prepared for delivery on Saturday:
Dismissing dissent is not only wrong, but dangerous when America’s leadership is unwilling to admit mistakes, unwilling to engage in honest discussion, and unwilling to hold itself accountable for the consequences of decisions made without genuine disclosure, or genuine debate. As Thomas Jefferson said, “dissent is the highest form of patriotism."
Still, Melvin Bobo was impressed:
Melvin Bobo, a mental-health therapist who drove from Des Moines to hear the speech, said Kerry is “the right man at the right time.”
“The thing is, right now this country is sliding so far down hill. We really need him to stop the sliding,” Bobo said.
First, we need him to stop the speaking.
UPDATE. More on John “Misreporting for Duty” Kerry from Jim Lindgren.
UPDATE II. Ric Locke presents: Melvin Bobo’s Odyssey.