Update [2005-6-24 13:31:39 by socratic]: Before we jump into this, I want to say that I do think the Rove issue (and, by connection, the subject of this diary) is a diversion, quite probably from whatever announcement is coming on Tuesday (and possibly something Friday evening). Or maybe Rove just screwed up in a big way. However, I do think it's important to confront vile comments like these, publicly marginalize the speakers, and gradually discredit the Radical Republicans as blowhard, dangerous thugs.
Update [2005-6-23 20:42:42 by socratic]: Go here too for a broader discussion.
Congressman Joe Wilson (who is not the same person as Amb. Joseph Wilson), a Republican representing the conservative area "across the river" from Columbia, SC, said (via Salon.com) something yesterday that, if you believe this is possible, makes Rove's comment seem almost humorously partisan.
Here goes:
[It is] just inconceivable and truly incorrigible that, in the midst of the war, the Democratic leaders would be conducting guerrilla warfare on American troops.
Yes, kids, Rove said we're latte-drinking wussies. Wilson says we're angry soldier-killers. The politically interested part of me recognizes the difference in message as a significant sign that, perhaps, the wheels are falling off and that Rove-lites are trying to emulate Rove's style in an amateur fashion and causing a confused message to come out of the Republican Party.
The patriotic part of me, on the other hand, is simply appalled. For a United States Congressman to say this vomit is simply unconscionable. I wrote him a letter:
Congressman Wilson,
Your comments about "liberals" and "guerilla warfare" today were shameful. I am ashamed that you represent my home state. I am ashamed that you serve in Congress. I am ashamed that such rhetoric is considered acceptable today.
You have equated "liberals" to the criminals who are detonating roadside bombs that kill our soldiers in Iraq. SHAME ON YOU, SIR. You impute a murderous intent to "liberals," which apparently means any person who questions our country's Iraq policy. If "liberals" are killers, then so are conservatives: it was conservatives who sent our soldiers to war in Iraq without proper body armor and who failed to provide an adequate plan for ending the Iraqi insurgency.
Sir, your rhetoric goes too far, and far exceeds the proper boundaries of vigorous partisan debate. You should apologize, publicly disavow your hateful comments, and restore some dignity to the United States Congress.
Shame on you for even thinking that your comments were within the bounds of decency, patriotism, and proper political discourse.
Update [2005-6-23 20:24:17 by socratic]: Additionally, I wrote the following letter to The State newspaper, in Columbia:
To the editors:
Rep. Joe Wilson has shamed my home state and shamed me personally as an American. He recently said that it was "just inconceivable and truly incorrigible that, in the midst of the war, the Democratic leaders would be conducting guerrilla warfare on American troops." Rep. Wilson had compared "liberals," which apparently means anyone who questions any aspect of our country's conduct in Iraq, to the criminal terrorists who are detonating improvised explosive devices that are killing our soldiers.
This is beyond reprehensible and Rep. Wilson should apologize to his colleagues and to the American people. Discussion of our foreign policy by "liberals" has no more killed American soldiers than has the Republican Congress' failure to provide our soldiers with adequate manpower, veterans benefits, and personal and vehicle armor. Rep. Wilson's lowbrow attack is beneath the dignity of Congress and reflects poorly on the Republican Party and South Carolina.
Iraq is a difficult situation that does not lend itself well to sound-bite policymaking, and Joe Wilson would better serve his district, his state, his country, and all the Americans serving in Iraq by offering solutions instead of calling people who disagree with him cold-blooded murderers. If he cannot offer solutions, he should step aside and let someone with real ideas take his place.
God, I feel sick. Absolutely shameful. He should, by all rights, resign from Congress for his words. He clearly doesn't understand America.
If this has been discussed, I apologize for the dupe, but I wanted to share my letter.
