Tonight watching all hell break loose as more hand wringing begins a new chapter of examination regarding the incompetence that underpins this WH over the post Katrina inaction I could not help thinking about poor Michael Dukakis riding in that tank. Yeah, that's right, THAT tank. All evening I haven't been able to get that vision out of my mind. There's something else I can't get out of my mind as well. Thinking back to that night watching then Gov. Michael Dukakis deliver his nomination speech before the 1988 Democartic National Convention he said what I think must be one of the most profound rhetorical flourishes a Presidential candidate could ever utter:
"I don't think I have to tell any of you how much we Americans expect of ourselves. Or how much we have a right to expect from those we elect to public office. Because this election isn't about ideology. It's about competence.
It's not about overthrowing governments in Central America; it's about creating good jobs in middle America. That's what this election is all about.
It's not about insider trading on Wall Street; it's about creating opportunity on Main Street.
And it's not about meaningless labels. It's about American values. Old-fashioned values like accountability and responsibility and respect for the truth."
Just replace 'Central America' with the Middle East and these remarks could not be more ominous if they were spoken today.
There is a huge difference between rank and file Democrats and the mainstream GOP voter. Right now I can bet the house the former Governor of Massachusetts and 1988 Democratic Party nominee isn't gloating to friends or pumping his fist in the air over a moment of vindication or sneeringly laughing at the foibles our nation has been hoisted on courtesy of that buffoon playing a pretend President on T.V. No I don't see those things at all. This is what I DO envision: somewhere Michael Dukakis is weeping. Those tears are not for himself or the eventual fate of his political career. They are tears for his country.
So are mine.
Cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
Now, cryin' won't help you, prayin' won't do you no good,
When the levee breaks, mama, you got to move.
All last night sat on the levee and moaned,
All last night sat on the levee and moaned,
Thinkin' 'bout my baby and my happy home.
Going, go'n' to Chicago,
Go'n' to Chicago,
Sorry but I can't take you.
Going down, going down now, going down.
~Robert Plant/Jimmy Page (1971: When The Levee Breaks)
DuvalDem/TrumanDem
http://trumansconscience.blogspot.com
"Conservatism makes no poetry, breathes no prayer, has no invention; it is all memory."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson