Let's also take a moment to give thanks to Laurel Eby. We ran across Eby's name on the San Francisco Chronicle's Web site; she comes from San Jose and is a participant in Two Cents, "a pool of Bay Area residents we tap for comments and anecdotes." In this case, the Chronicle posed the odd question: "Is it wrong to root for the Iraqis?" Another participant, David Cutting of Truckee, unpacks the question and gives an answer that is spot on:
If you mean the barbarians that are murdering coalition soldiers, aid workers, and Iraqi police officers and government officials, then the question is too despicable to even deserve a reasoned answer. If you mean the majority of Iraq's population, then by all means, root for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Iraq. What could be more American?
Now, here is Laurel Eby's answer:
I'm definitely torn, because I obviously don't want any more of our soldiers getting killed, but I also wouldn't mind the quagmire going on just long enough to ruin Bush's re-election chances.
OK, we know what you're thinking: Why in the world would anyone be thankful for this creep? Well, think about it. First of all, she unwittingly exemplifies the glory of American freedom. Since Sept. 11 we've heard a lot of carping from the anti-American left on the supposed "crushing of dissent." If that were true, Laurel Eby would be spending her days in a dungeon somewhere. In reality, she walks free and even gets her comments published in the newspaper. The Chronicle's editorial judgment is certainly open to question, but not the greatness of a country that is so boundlessly tolerant.
Second, she reminds us that our country isn't perfect. We're proud to be American, but we're ashamed to share our nationality with someone so callous and self-absorbed. So thank you, Laurel Eby, for keeping us humble.
(from the WSJ website) |
