Deja Vu
In 1954 Sen. Joe McCarthy imploded on live television during his witch hunt for communists. His specialty was exaggerated and reckless accusations against a person’s character. Fast forward to 2006 and the implosion of Ted Kennedy while he attempts to impugn the character of Sam Alito at the Senate Judiciary Hearings.
In no way am I comparing Ted Kennedy to the father of “McCarthyism”. After all, McCarthy grew up on a farm and attended a one room schoolhouse. He later earned a law degree working part time and was elected a circuit court judge at age 30. He enlisted in the Marines in 1942 and participated in bombing missions as an intelligence officer. In 1946, he was elected to the Senate without the aid of his father’s money or brother’s accomplishments.
Instead of listing the plethora of Kennedy’s past accusations and lack of character, the following should suffice.
Ted Kennedy lecturing Sam Alito is comparable to the following:
1. Hugh Hefner lecturing Billy Graham on morality
2. Ernest T Bass (Andy Griffith show) lecturing Grace Kelly on manners
3. Jethro (Beverly Hillbillies) lecturing Thomas Edison on thinking
4. Barney Fife lecturing Colombo on detective work
It’s important to put the nominee hearings in perspective. Clinton’s two choices, Ginsberg and Breyer were confirmed 96-3 and 87-9. Republicans understand it’s the President’s right to select nominees of their choice and that a circus atmosphere is not required. Unfortunately the opposite is not true. Ever since Bork in 1987, if a Supreme Court nominee believes the Constitution is not a living document subject to the current trendy winds, that nominee will become subject to character assassination by the Democratic Leadership.
Fortunately, that’s the good news. Because nothing and I mean nothing clarifies the difference between the pontificating Kennedy and a man of professional and personal character like Sam Alito than the Senator's own words. Thank you Senator Kennedy.
Dooley
1/15/06
In 1954 Sen. Joe McCarthy imploded on live television during his witch hunt for communists. His specialty was exaggerated and reckless accusations against a person’s character. Fast forward to 2006 and the implosion of Ted Kennedy while he attempts to impugn the character of Sam Alito at the Senate Judiciary Hearings.
In no way am I comparing Ted Kennedy to the father of “McCarthyism”. After all, McCarthy grew up on a farm and attended a one room schoolhouse. He later earned a law degree working part time and was elected a circuit court judge at age 30. He enlisted in the Marines in 1942 and participated in bombing missions as an intelligence officer. In 1946, he was elected to the Senate without the aid of his father’s money or brother’s accomplishments.
Instead of listing the plethora of Kennedy’s past accusations and lack of character, the following should suffice.
Ted Kennedy lecturing Sam Alito is comparable to the following:
1. Hugh Hefner lecturing Billy Graham on morality
2. Ernest T Bass (Andy Griffith show) lecturing Grace Kelly on manners
3. Jethro (Beverly Hillbillies) lecturing Thomas Edison on thinking
4. Barney Fife lecturing Colombo on detective work
It’s important to put the nominee hearings in perspective. Clinton’s two choices, Ginsberg and Breyer were confirmed 96-3 and 87-9. Republicans understand it’s the President’s right to select nominees of their choice and that a circus atmosphere is not required. Unfortunately the opposite is not true. Ever since Bork in 1987, if a Supreme Court nominee believes the Constitution is not a living document subject to the current trendy winds, that nominee will become subject to character assassination by the Democratic Leadership.
Fortunately, that’s the good news. Because nothing and I mean nothing clarifies the difference between the pontificating Kennedy and a man of professional and personal character like Sam Alito than the Senator's own words. Thank you Senator Kennedy.
Dooley
1/15/06
posted by Dooley at 12:59 PM
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