Nutjobs Ranting About Politics.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by bilmore
Then I missed it, or it changed.

No, a portion of my party has called into question, with evidentiary support, Kerry's honesty as he made application for an award in a system that depends, to a large part, on the honor of the applicants and detailers. To criticize this is in no way a criticism of other recipients, or of the system. West Point lives and dies by the honor system. Periodically, cheaters are discovered. Yet, we continue to hold the other students in esteem partly because of that system, and partly because they have adhered to it. The system works when it encounters honorable people - it is predicated on honorable people. The fact that it has survived . . well, forever . . . shows that it remains viable. The fact that Kerry is being called out for violating it simply means that some people think standards should be enforced. If Kerry did what he is accused of, and it is proven, then the honor to the others is even higher, because there has been a showing that cheaters can't easily game the system.

To blast valid criticism of Kerry in this situation because it "might cheapen what others have done" in an honor system is quintessential misdirection. Kerry should not get slack because other, more honorable people might somehow be tarred. Kerry's alleged dishonesty is what supplies any dishonor to the system that is present. If Kerry did what is claimed, and he is outed for it, other medal holders' honor is only enhanced.

Ah, but your system would rely on the people of 2034 accurately to discern which Gulf War II vets (a.) had lied 30 years before and (b.) were now registered Democrats.

Once again, the GOP is foisting responsibilities properly belonging to today's licentious freeloaders off on the next generations, in the false hope that they will somehow be better equipped to find and clean up our messes than we. Whether it be deficits, tax shifts, environmental controls, or Purple Heart grade inflation, the GOP is the party of the short-sighted libertine. You're living on a moral credit card, friend, and your kids are going to get a nasty call from that great Providian accounts receivable department in the sky.