[Speed Gibson,
Friday June 17, 2005 at 11:09pm]
The exception - or the rule?
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin has backed off little and apologized not at all from his absurd and damaging characterization of our Guantanamo Bay prison to history's legendary death camps.
Now, if the world's greatest deliberative body were largely composed of the learned leaders and scholars the Framers intended, reaction would be swift and certain. He would be officially rebuked and removed from his leadership positions. But neither action is likely, for the Senate is no longer, if it ever was, composed of mostly learned people.
I looked up the roster. There are a few quality intellects among them such Mitch McConnell and Diane Feinsten. The list of what Hugh Hewitt would call "dummies" is much longer, including: Patrick Leahy, Lincoln Chafee, Barbara Boxer, Arlen Specter, John Kerry, James Jeffords, Mark Dayton, Charles Shumer, and Patty Murray. Oh and add Dick Durbin to that list. The rest are largely millionaires, mavericks, and moderates, many of whom are simply enamored with the title and ceremony.
So again in Hugh's phrasology, most of the Senate "doesn't get it." There are voices, but not enough to worry Senators like Durbin. As the Democratic Party continues to slide left-ward, such rhetoric is now expected. There will be more.
Now, if the world's greatest deliberative body were largely composed of the learned leaders and scholars the Framers intended, reaction would be swift and certain. He would be officially rebuked and removed from his leadership positions. But neither action is likely, for the Senate is no longer, if it ever was, composed of mostly learned people.
I looked up the roster. There are a few quality intellects among them such Mitch McConnell and Diane Feinsten. The list of what Hugh Hewitt would call "dummies" is much longer, including: Patrick Leahy, Lincoln Chafee, Barbara Boxer, Arlen Specter, John Kerry, James Jeffords, Mark Dayton, Charles Shumer, and Patty Murray. Oh and add Dick Durbin to that list. The rest are largely millionaires, mavericks, and moderates, many of whom are simply enamored with the title and ceremony.
So again in Hugh's phrasology, most of the Senate "doesn't get it." There are voices, but not enough to worry Senators like Durbin. As the Democratic Party continues to slide left-ward, such rhetoric is now expected. There will be more.