The Politics of Hypocrisy

Last night I was going to blog about Hayworth's press release urging Harry Mitchell to condemn the now-pulled DCCC ad featuring flag-draped coffins come home from Iraq. A classic pot-calling-the-kettle-black story, Mr. Foghorn Leghorn has no business condemning those images. Recall the Bush campaign ads featuring the attacks of 9.11.2001? Or the disgusting display of politics that ended Max Cleland's Senate career? Or how about the 2004 Republican Convention. It was the months of September, October, and November of 2001 condensed in a week. America will never forget, therefore we don't need to re-live it, especially when it is meant to scare us and oppress us into submission.

Personally, I don't like the use of the images of coffins or of the events of 9.11 in political campaign ads, especially fundraising ones. But such times where politics can be played in an ideal way are over. The Republicans have started this, with their Rovian tactics and smear campaigns. And the media eats it and spits it out at the Democratic Party and liberals. They frame the debate so that images of 9.11 are okay to use when you're fighting evil and bringing democracy to the Middle East! But images of flag-draped coffins, or dead brothers and sisters, our dead veterans, is wrong when you're fighting for a change! A change from their mind-numbingly dumb and disasterously dangerous policies.

So today the state GOP dove in after the, as J.D. put it, "deafening silence" from the Mitchell camp. Good for Harry. And shame on the three Democrats mentioned in the GOP press release that demanded the ad be taken down. We are now playing the Republican's game. All the strategy and the tactics that the Beltway has used to take down this game have failed. We can take power if we play by the GOP rules for awhile. Re-take Congress. Restore civilty and cooperation in our national bodies. Work to re-shape our mainstream media. Those are long-term goals and change can only come when we're on top.

If Harry says anything, then it should not be an apology or a condemnation. Harry should remind J.D. why those soldiers are coming home in flag-draped coffins. They are gone because of President Bush and the Republican Congress that blindly and loyally followed. That's you, J.D. You advocate for a policy that preserves the status quo. One where at least one soldier dies a day in Iraq. Civil war in Baghdad. Refugees streaming out of the country. That's what you want and that is not acceptable.

Fight 'em, Harry. Don't give in to this shit.