It's been quite a while since I've posted here at Kos. It is unfortunate that it would be under such circumstances that I had to return. But my heart was broken, and it is my hope that the people who caused my wound will bare witness to the pain they have caused.
I climbed out of bed today, turned on my computer, and thought I woke up in some alternate reality ah-la Stargate SG-1 or something. Two of the men I revere most within the anti-Iraq War movement, Former Ambassador Joseph Wilson(full article) and Former Intelligence Officer Larry Johnson(full diary), have decided to author unfair, and unsupported by fact, hit-pieces on Senator Barack Obama. Beyond simple disagreement, they have chosen to personally attack a candidate that has shown keen, and timely judgment on the war in Iraq, and the actions the Bush administration has taken, in the name of our country.
It pains me to commit what I’m about to write, but I feel that I must; I have no other way to clear my conscience. Be all my sins remember’d.
I remember the call for investigations in the wake of the Downing Street Minutes fiasco. Congressman John Conyers, along with many who had questioned the rational for war in Iraq, waged a running battle with the GOP and Rep. Sensenbrenner to hold hearings in the House Judiciary Committee into the matter. For the first time in my adult life I felt obligated to do more than just act appalled from my computer desk. I wanted to stand with these "heroes" who stood for what I believed was the most quintessential catastrophe in modern American history.
What followed were my first steps toward true political activism, personified in three acts;
- My participation in the now infamous "Basement Hearings" on the DSM,
- Penning an open letter to the press, leading to the founding of SoapBox4Truth.org,
- And organizing an highly public rally in defense of Ambassador Joe Wilson and his wife Valarie Plame at Love Park in the shadow of Philadelphia’s City Hall.
But today I see Mr. Wilson striking down on Senator Obama’s integrity and judgment with attacks on everything from leadership abilities, to his ability as not only a public official, but an American citizen, to have the capacity to formulate and articulate an opposition to a war that he, himself, Mr. Wilson feared would be a disaster in the making.
What makes this work of political contrivancey even more painful for me to digest, is from what mezzanine of the political debate he chose to launch his attack. It was composed to assist a candidate that not only voted for the war, but, to this day, refuses to concede that her vote was a mistake. One from our own Democratic party.
Beyond the pale of decent dissent, he went even farther into the realm of the Rovian decorum by regurgitating the slanderous statements made by one of Senator Mc Cain’s subordinates "Obama wouldn't know the difference between an RPG and a bong."
At a time in which the Democratic party is on the verge of converting en-mass, huge swaths of disillusioned moderate Republicans and essentially deal a deathblow to the Neo-Conservative movement that orchestrated the outing of his own wife, how could he stoop to "hatchet man" tactics and not see that it could drive a stake into the heart of the Democratic Party that wants nothing more that to bring judgment to those who endangered his family, and this country.
I expected more from you sir. Aside from your right as a citizen to support whom you please, your tenor and tone was disrespectful to me, and many whom supported you, your wife and this movement from the door. For shame sir.
Absent the emergence of another such editorial from Mr. Wilson, I believe that this can be forgotten by November. But I’m not so sure about the vile ramblings of one Larry Johnson.
My neighbor, who is a prominent Republican lobbyist, was commenting the other day on the inspiring nature of the Obama campaign......When he heard the true story of Obama's past (including Obama's Kenyan ties and muslim relatives). He flipped
So your neighbor told you that he was impressed by an Obama speech, and you told him that he had "Muslim Relatives" and he flipped? As if your "prominent republican lobbyist neighbor friend" didn’t already know this? His name is Obama. What else did you "explain" to this gentleman that riled him so? I have some ideas.
The Obama cult is a phenomenom. A weird phenomenom. People are enthralled with the idea of Obama and know nothing about his past, his performance, and the scandals that will bring him down.
A lil perspective is in order here. The bulk of the rank and file Democratic electorate only heard of you in the aftermath of the Iraqi debacle. I hadn’t even heard of you till I heard Bob Fertik mentioned you: when most of America had never even heard of the DSM. I’ve had 5 years to make my choice of whether or not to support Senator Obama were he to run. So unless you are privy to some "intelligence" on the matter, keep your opinions in the realm of reality.
What we have, ladies and gents, is another Establishment Man. Easily manipulated by the father figures he desperately seeks and gratified by the adulation of the masses, he is buying into his "man of destiny" nonsense. Many in the public are seized with this religious, worshipful madness. Unfortunately, Obama, conquering hero is riding in the parade and soaked in the praise of frenetic crowds. He has received very little pushback so far. But it will come. And Obama would be wise to heed the following advice:
For over a thousand years Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of triumph, a tumultuous parade. The conqueror rode in a triumphal chariot, the dazed prisoners walking in chains before him. And a slave stood behind the conqueror holding a golden crown and whispering in his ear a warning: that all glory is fleeting."
It is my experience that those who seek personal glory tend not to empower the masses they plan to utilize for such a quest. To the contrary, it taints the victory and endangers their power over those they wish to rule. When Obama say’s "it is our chance to bring change" he’s inspiring people to take it apron themselves to act for change. The sign of a true Democratic leader is one who empowers the masses to work together for the betterment of the community.
As to you advice (or should I call it a threat), the greatness of Emperor Marcus Aurelius was his stoic values and even handedness in the application of political power. Glory for him was not this self glory of which you speak, but the glory of Rome. He didn’t use subterfuge to gain the support of his people; they respected him as a thinking man’s leader. Even his advisories respected him.
I can not get past the feeling that this last quote is a veiled threat with the dual purpose of instilling fear for the Senator’s physical safety, and to incite those who would oblige such fears. But this is, of course, my own personal opinion.
I have no respect to give to you Mr. Johnson at this time.
It is my hope that such unfortunate attacks can be forgotten after the primary season is over, but it will take a lot of water to swallow this pill for millions of Obama’s supporters if is he is the victim of intramural swift-boating or usurpation of the Democratic process. Think about this before either of you put pen to paper again in the service of you DLC/NEO-LIB candidate.