Hi CB,
Memory is a funny thing. It can change over time and it can become fuzzy. I vaguely recalled the words of Joseph Welch, the attorney for the Army in the Army-McCarthy hearings, so I had to look them up. Unless they've been modified for effect here on the Internet, as is so very often the case with the likes of the Drudge Report, the Washington Times and Las Vegas Sun, among other propaganda founts, this is what was said:
historictrials.freeservers.com
The salient line is not, as you recalled, "Have you no shame, sir? Have you NO shame?" Rather, it is "have you no decency?" And I would say that in the case of Mr. Gore, that he does not in any way seem to me to be any worse an actor than his opponent. Mr. Gore has requested hand recounts in Florida. Mr. Bush has requested hand recounts in New Mexico. Mr. Gore did not fight Mr. Bush in New Mexico, whereas Mr. Bush is fighting tooth and nail in Florida. Who is it that is the decent man as regards to our most important right as a citizens of the United States? I.e. the franchise. Mr. Gore, who wants votes to be counted and doesn't prevent them from being counted, or Mr. Bush who is doing his level best to make sure that a standard, plain vanilla procedure isn't carried out in a close election? If Mr. Bush can take away the votes of 10,000 Floridians in this election, what are other men bent on taking away the right of American citizens to vote going to do in the future? This is my fear. I think we need to step back from all the fancy maneuvering in the courts for a moment and ask what is important here. To my mind, it is the (hopefully) inalienable right to vote for those who would govern me.
But I agree with Ray, Gore would not do a good job of bringing the country back together. And I think it is because he has shown himself not fit to govern.
I don't think I see a logical connection. I stated that I thought Mr. Bush would do a better job of healing the wounds that this country feels. I also feel he is unfit for the job of Presidency of the United States and I'm gratified to see that he has stepped aside in order to let Mr. Cheney run things. However, of the two candidates we've been permitted to choose between, Mr. Gore is vastly more capable and qualified to run a Federal administration. I simply could not allow your assertion on this matter to go unchallenged. I realize you dislike Mr. Gore intensely. That doesn't make him unfit, however, just not to your liking.
Best, Ray :) |
