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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.

Posted by Tim B. on 05/07/2006 at 07:53 AM
  1. Thomas Jefferson invented sliding doors.

    Posted by rhhardin on 2006 05 07 at 08:28 AM • permalink

  2. “The thing is, right now this country is sliding so far down hill. We really need him to stop the sliding,” Bobo said.

    John Kerry - the Speed Bump of History

    Posted by Blue on 2006 05 07 at 08:36 AM • permalink

  3. Melvin Bobo, a mental-health therapist

    Nah, you’re making that up,surely?

    Posted by Nic on 2006 05 07 at 08:49 AM • permalink

  4. I always wondered what first name Bobo from the SBS TV show ‘Pizza’ had. now I know.

    Posted by Harry Buttle on 2006 05 07 at 08:55 AM • permalink

  5. #4: “john kerry speeches. they’re big and they’re cheesy”

    Posted by benson swears a lot on 2006 05 07 at 09:27 AM • permalink

  6. Melvin Bobo?  Melvin?  Bobo?

    My god paco, couldn’t you have come up with at least a plausible fake name?

    Next time, go to the Department of Alternative Appellations and get something better than Melvin Bobo.

    Posted by wronwright on 2006 05 07 at 09:34 AM • permalink

  7. Headline in the SMH:
    “Heterosexual elected Episcopal bishop of California.”

    Now THAT’S what i call news!

    Posted by Susan Norton on 2006 05 07 at 09:41 AM • permalink

  8. I think you are making this up.

    Melvin Bobo ?

    A mental health therapist ?

    Then again, a bloke allegedly called “Fuller Chipsworth”  tried to sell me a gun in a bar in Fort Worth, Texas. I declined his offer, I thought he might be from Monty Python’s Flying Circus or Candid Camera.

    Posted by Pedro the Ignorant on 2006 05 07 at 09:41 AM • permalink

  9. Clearly Mr. Kerry is too nuanced for all you rubes. Dr. Bobo and I know what he means. He is calling for the U.S. to stand down from its imperial ambitions, and he had clearly (possibly through the use of the magic Cambodian hat) discovered an hithertofore unknown Jefferson quote, saying, “DESCENT is the highest form of patriotism.” I suspect his magic hat enables him to communicate with the dead.

    Posted by SoberHT on 2006 05 07 at 09:46 AM • permalink

  10. #7 Susan,

    And the vote was held in the Nob Hill area of San Francisco.

    First Bobo, then this, lol.What next?

    Posted by Nic on 2006 05 07 at 09:49 AM • permalink

  11. Botox is the highest form of dewrinklization.

    Posted by Crispytoast on 2006 05 07 at 09:55 AM • permalink

  12. It seems to me that Kerry, who can be a slippery character, just keeps sliding further down hill. So:

    “We really need Kerry to stop sliding.”

    Posted by James Lindgren on 2006 05 07 at 10:02 AM • permalink

  13. Dissent of a Girly Man/Woman..

    Posted by crash on 2006 05 07 at 10:05 AM • permalink

  14. John Kerry and Melvin Bobo…reporting for doody.

    Posted by Carl H on 2006 05 07 at 10:35 AM • permalink

  15. “The thing is, right now this country is sliding so far down hill. We really need him to stop the sliding,” Bobo said.

    Um… that would be called ‘hitting bottom.’

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 05 07 at 11:04 AM • permalink

  16. Bobo ?

    A mental health therapist ?

    Yeh, them animal rights people finally started forced the universities to hand out degrees on both sides of the cage.  After all, Primate-Americans have been intimately involved in some of the greatest scientific discoveries of the century.

    You can read Dr. Bobo’s latest article in the Journal of American Psychiatry: “You Want to Stick That Electrode WHERE?!”

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 05 07 at 11:49 AM • permalink

  17. OT - if you’re on a diet, and need something to put you off of food, check out the one-star reviews of United 93 at amazon.com. The conspiracy whackos are out in full nauseating force.

    Posted by Dave S. on 2006 05 07 at 11:56 AM • permalink

  18. BOBO FOR KERRY

    That sounds…..so right.

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2006 05 07 at 12:08 PM • permalink

  19. Mr. McEnroe, obviously Bobo is Spanish in origin.  http://www.brusselsjournal.com/node/1031

    (I beg your forgiveness, Andrea.  I’m still shell-shocked from the Italics Incident.)

    Posted by ushie on 2006 05 07 at 12:12 PM • permalink

  20. #17, I checked it out, Dave.  Yeah, the crazies are out.  But the good news is that the vast majority of ratings are 5 stars.  I don’t view Amazon as a reliable source for criticism, but it is good to see the nuts outnumbered.

    Posted by The_Real_JeffS on 2006 05 07 at 12:15 PM • permalink

  21. More here at Volokh Conspiracy, including a picture of the strict pacifist who DID say “Dissent from public policy can be the highest form of patriotism”:

    “someone in the Kerry campaign should monitor the blogs more to prevent his recycling already debunked urban myths, such as the plastic turkey story and the Jefferson quote.”

    Volokh Conspiracy

    Posted by James Lindgren on 2006 05 07 at 12:30 PM • permalink

  22. #6: “My god paco, couldn’t you have come up with at least a plausible fake name?”

    I did, but the front office screwed it up. The name I picked was Marvin Bobo. Melvin . . . sheesh!

    Posted by paco on 2006 05 07 at 12:32 PM • permalink

  23. Paco — Melvin Gardens is still available for your next run…

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 05 07 at 12:36 PM • permalink

  24. The US needs that damned slacker Ted Kennedy to get off his besotted arse and take John Kerry for a midnight drive to Chappaquiddick. One must admit Kerry is a first rate traitor. Even now he longs to be America’s Quisling, if only he could get up the guts to marry his way into the position. Also don’t miss his new book “Profiles in Cheese.”

    Posted by markmc on 2006 05 07 at 12:45 PM • permalink

  25. John Kerry speechifying.  Melvin Bobo fellating praising.  And we thought it was a circus before.

    Posted by RebeccaH on 2006 05 07 at 01:15 PM • permalink

  26. Assuming the Sen. has someone review his e-mail, I sent this on April 22 to Kerry.com, the day of his dissent speech (it was through his website, so as far is I know it’s hard to prove submission; my Word doc was created 4/22):


    You said:
    No wonder Thomas Jefferson himself said: “Dissent is the greatest form of patriotism.”

    Well, I do wonder if Thomas Jefferson ever made such a comment. I cannot find an authoritative source for this in a Google search, in Google book search or an Amazon search of the interior of a book.

    Thomas Jefferson, like the rest of us, but less so, was capable of saying foolish and palpably false things.  The quote you attributed to him - a bugle call to infantilism -does not look like it was one of them.

    ______
    Question: If Kerry disagrees with the Jefferson library, does not that make him more of a patriot if the library receives Federal funding?

    Posted by wfhenning on 2006 05 07 at 01:28 PM • permalink

  27. I’m betting Bobo the Therapist person is a Social Worker (probably an MSW) rather than a coctor person.  Those therapists with degrees in Social Work (don’t forget proper caps) are, to quote Spiro Agnew, “softer than a duck’s behind.”

    Posted by JorgXMcKie on 2006 05 07 at 02:36 PM • permalink

  28. 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.”

    Possibly a case of what is known as client-itis. Incidentally, what is the significance of the fact that Mr. Bobo drove from Des Moines to Grinnell? Is this to be taken as an act of pilgimage on the order of traveling from Bangladesh to Mecca, or from New Zealand to the grotto at Lourdes? Or was it a journey of such intrepidity that Melvin now ranks with Magellan or Mungo Park?

    Posted by paco on 2006 05 07 at 03:55 PM • permalink

  29. “Dissent”, content unspecified, is not by itself patriotic or unpatriotic.,  It depends on what is being dissented from, and in favor of what the dissenter is arguing.  In Kerry’s case he is dissenting from the defense of the United States against vicious enemies who attacked us many times, culminating in the atrocity of 9/11.  He dissents from the only viable strtegy so far developed to stop future terrorism against us.  He offers no alternative strategy, at any rate aside from a law enforcement approach already tried and found totally inadequate during the 1990s.  His previous reputation is as a smarmy apologist for Communist tyranny, and he plainly acts and speaks with the intent that the USA be defeated in the current war, just as he did in the Vietnam War.  This is the same sort of patriotism the Copperheads had.

    Posted by Michael Lonie on 2006 05 07 at 04:08 PM • permalink

  30. Perhaps Melvin Bobo is interested in keeping his “customers” needing treatment for BDS and thus Melvin Bobo in waterfront appartments…

    Posted by Rob Read on 2006 05 07 at 04:17 PM • permalink

  31. Attributing quotes to a former president who didn’t speak them is proof once a phony always a phony.

    I think that’s what he meant to say.

    “All we have to fear is a horse-faced charlatan from Massachusetts.” Franklin Roosevelt

    Posted by zefal on 2006 05 07 at 04:26 PM • permalink

  32. Does this mean that my dissenting against his dissent is an even higher form of patriotism?

    Posted by Harry Buttle on 2006 05 07 at 05:13 PM • permalink

  33. No, it means you’re questioning his patriotism! How dare you!

    Posted by Dave S. on 2006 05 07 at 05:35 PM • permalink

  34. Michael Lonie….well said Sir. Hear hear!

    Posted by 81Alpha on 2006 05 07 at 06:12 PM • permalink

  35. I have to agree with RebeccaH #25 . Bobo spends a lot of time on his knees.

    Which is probably the key in mental-health therapy.

    Oh and Melvin, since you are worried about “sliding” try THESE....don’t know, but they may help.

    Posted by El Cid on 2006 05 07 at 06:40 PM • permalink

  36. Paco,

    Here is Melvin Bobo’s Odyssey. As you can see, it was an arduous trek. The stretch between Colfax and Newton is particularly treacherous, unless the Iowa DOT has recently repainted the stripes on the Interstate. And if one assumes that he went in the morning and returned in the evening, he had the Sun in his eyes both ways ::shudder::

    Regards,
    Ric

    Posted by Ric Locke on 2006 05 07 at 07:33 PM • permalink

  37. #36 Thanks, Ric. A homeric journey. Cooke, Scott, Lindberg - all pale into insignificance compared to Bobo’s Great Trek.

    Posted by paco on 2006 05 07 at 07:55 PM • permalink

  38. #36. Now that is some trek! I don’t know how he managed to survive such an awesome journey.

    He should take over the mantle from the Leyland Brothers:

    ASK THE LEYLAND BROTHERS

    9 Network / x 25m-e / 1976-80 and 1983-84

    Producers: Mike and Mal Leyland

    Brothers Mal and Mike Leyland travel across Australia visiting places requested by the viewing audience. The team switched briefly to 7 for a time during the early 1980’s for the show called The Leyland Brother’s Great Outdoors.

     

    Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2006 05 07 at 07:55 PM • permalink

  39. Kerry is “the right man at the right time”

    ...when it’s time to battle insomnia, at least.

    Posted by PW on 2006 05 07 at 08:13 PM • permalink

  40. #30: Or when you need a volunteer for the “Dunk the Unsuccessful Presidential Candidate” booth at the next Democratic Party fundraiser.

    Posted by paco on 2006 05 07 at 09:12 PM • permalink

  41. Actually, that was a reference to #39.

    Posted by paco on 2006 05 07 at 09:13 PM • permalink

  42. Proposed new Kerry campaign slogan:

    “Help me!  I’m talking and I can’t shut up!”

    Posted by Achillea on 2006 05 07 at 09:38 PM • permalink

  43. #38
    Will they go to Shark Bay if I ask them to?

    Posted by Michael Lonie on 2006 05 07 at 09:52 PM • permalink

  44. Why are all of you trying to diss this Man’s World?  He already had to put up with everybody messin’ up His “looking Presidential” scenario.  In His World, that quote is exactly what Jefferson should have said; it is fake but accurate, if you will.

    Man you people got no respect.

    Posted by saltydog on 2006 05 08 at 12:20 AM • permalink

  45. Melvin Bobo from Des Moines.  Yeah.
    In my younger, wilder days I’d go by names like Chuck Hungwell or Buck Hammer. Melvin Bobo makes a different statement, and it hurts my ears.  But, hey! Welcome aboard Team Kerry!  Bobo reporting for duty. The more Bobos the better, I say.

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2006 05 08 at 02:58 AM • permalink

  46. #43. We’re talking about the Leyland Brothers! They went everywhere!!

    Posted by Nilknarf Arbed on 2006 05 08 at 03:15 AM • permalink

  47. Um… looking from Oz here.

    Didn’t Kerry lose the 2004 election?  Is he a possible contender for 2008?

    Is he a realistic contender for 2008?

    What would Melvin Bobbit’s chances be?

    Posted by Stop Continental Drift! on 2006 05 08 at 06:44 AM • permalink

  48. #36 Ric Locke, I’ll say this for Mr Bobo: He went 53.90 miles further than I’d go to offer my urine to put out the fire if Mr Kerry’s coiffure should spontaneously burst into flames (which is quite likely).

    Posted by Texas Bob on 2006 05 08 at 08:00 AM • permalink

  49. Stop Continental Drift — He can’t win, but he has $45,000,000 US in unspent campaign funds and a seriously neurotic delusion to maintain.  At the very least he will lay major stink on the Democratic primaries and further polarize their base to the point where a Dem candidate will have a hard time moving right to play the centrist, moderate card.

    I’m looking forward to it.

    Posted by richard mcenroe on 2006 05 08 at 09:41 AM • permalink

  50. #48 - Texas Bob, I’m going to use that line in the future, if you don’t mind. I promise to give credit where credit is due. Thank you.

    BTW, if no one’s told you today, unlike M’sieur Magic Hat, the Service to our Country of you and your Brothers is greatly appreciated and often remembered. Thank you again.

    Posted by KC on 2006 05 08 at 10:14 AM • permalink

  51. Mock not the terrible journey of Melvin!  He was close to the mean streets of Sully, Iowa…Man, I’d rather go to the West Side of Chicago before going to Sully.  Brrrr!

    Posted by Major John on 2006 05 08 at 01:36 PM • permalink

  52. #48, Texas Bob:

    Ditto. 

    I’ll go further:  They ought to have stood him against a wall and shot his pampered, bony, treasonous ass.  And I wouldn’t have minded being detailed for the job.  Or should I put that into the present tense?  Nah.  Not worth the price of a bullet.

    Posted by saltydog on 2006 05 08 at 04:12 PM • permalink

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