Just breaking across the wires and the cable TV and the intertubes, Senator Jim Webb of the Old Dominion has secured the release of an American being held in Myanmar. John Yettaw of Missouri is a 53 year old former member of the service who swam 2 miles to meet with democratic icon Suu Kyi. His clandestine visit lasted over a day and when uncovered was used by the Myanmar junta as an excuse to charge Suu Kyi for breaking the terms of her house-arrest.
While the fate of Suu Kyi has yet to be determined, an American life has been saved from 7 years of hard labor. Thank you, Senator Webb.
At a time when Congress is increasingly unpopular, both on the House side and the Senate side, there are fewer and fewer who gain admiration. Senator Jim Webb is one of the few. Having run the ultimate underdog campaign in Virginia to unseat a once-popular incumbent, the former Marine with a son in the Corps immediately began working on a post-9/11 GI Bill that gained a huge consensus on the hill. The senior Senator of Virginia has since begun working on reforming the U.S. penal system which is in desperate need of reform, but which is a thorny issue to touch. Let this hard-charging Marine lead the charge.
The self-proclaimed "Jeffersonian Democrat" has racked up another major victory for his career and for his country. Again, thank you Senator Webb, and good luck with your trip over there. As for Mr. Yettaw, while I am glad you will be coming home, you need some help. God sent you to Myanmar? Really?