Sensitivity
I’m stealing this table from Kevin Drum, because this issue is particularly important (and just in case there’s anyone out there who reads my blog, but not Kevin’s.) Spearheaded by Cheney, Kerry’s “More sensitive war on terror” is on the verge of becoming this election’s “Invented the internet.”(*) So here is Kevin’s compare and contrast:
| Kerry | Bush |
| I believe I can fight a more effective, more thoughtful, more strategic, more proactive, more sensitive war on terror that reaches out to other nations and brings them to our side and lives up to American values in history. | We help fulfill that promise not by lecturing the world, but by leading it. Precisely because America is powerful, we must be sensitive about expressing our power and influence. |
What did Bush and Kerry mean when they invoked sensitivity? I assume they meant things like this:
Wary of igniting more anger, the US military said the [current] assault [in Najaf] would exclude the Imam Ali Mosque. Government officials said only Iraqi forces would disarm militia inside.
That oh so sensitive US military! I suppose Cheney thinks they’re a bunch of pussies, too. In fact, the military may be chock-full of sensitive soldiers. Here’s one, Maj. Bob Pizzitola, quoted in The Army Times:
“Hopefully, the talks will go well and everything will be resolved peacefully.”
Sheesh, Pizzitola. Go hug a tree or something.
Here’s another dose of sensitivity from a member of that legendary gang of sensitives, the United States Marine Corps (first in, last out, but sensitively!). Via Marine Corps News:
“The price of this fight [with the Muqtada Militia around Najaf] was high,” said Col. Anthony M. Haslam, commanding officer of the 11th MEU (SOC). “Every Marine fought bravely in the field of battle and represents what’s best in America and in the United States Marine Corps.
That Colonel Haslam is one sensitive guy, waxing about his lost comrades rather than revelling in victory. Cheney should put him in a dress. Heck, over here, we don’t even correctly count the dead anymore. How’s that for not being sensitive? Marine Col. Haslam could learn something about manliness from The New York Times.
And what did those wusses from that infamously sensitive institution, the US Department of Defense, title their 8/12 Press Release on the offensive against Muqtada al-Sadr’s forces?
Offensive Begins But Holy Sites Not Targeted, Officials Say
That’s one sensitive offensive! Put a real man in charge of the DOD.
AB
(*) One glaring difference being, of course, that Gore never said he invented the internet.
UPDATE: For more on Bush Administration sensitivity, see Liberal Oasis. As it turns out, even Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Richard Myers is sensitive. It looks like getting rid of Bush and his sensitive gang is really our only hope of a manly War on Terror.