A "Time for Bart Simpson," vs. a "Time of the Soldier"

Virginia, more than most states, remembers its war dead. Perhaps Virginians, like Jim Webb, are born fighting.

Webb, who is running against George Allen for Senate, if he wins his primary election, has had a fascinating, productive and multifaceted life...

What I like about him is that his American journey is in one important way the characteristic American journey. When institutions he was born into or became part of would take a wrong turn as all public institutions invariably do, he would leave without hesitation and beat his own path. Eventually the vast majority would abandon the institution as well and follow his path. Like 80% of the voters in my old precinct in the hills of North Carolina, he was a Southerner who was born Democrat and switched parties as the country was ramping up to the Reagan period. George Will says in a column about Webb in Sunday+óGé¼Gäós Washington Post, Webb +óGé¼+ô says he was "pretty much" a Democrat until President Jimmy Carter "pardoned the draft evaders.+óGé¼-¥ As we approached the day when 49 states would vote for a Republican president, Ronald Reagan, Webb and the majority of Americans were on the same path. He told Will, "I wouldn't shake John Kerry's hand for 20 years" because of Kerry's anti-Vietnam activities, but +óGé¼+ôI voted for him in 2004.+óGé¼-¥

From his politcal writings, it seems clear that the Dungeon & Dragons Warriors, who engineered this misbegotten vision of hubris and fantasy play in Iraq, is what led him back to the Democratic Party. Which was kind of a homecoming...

Common sense then and now. But now it is too late.

Webb+óGé¼Gäós comments parallel those of Wesley Clark, alone among the Democrats to make these same points in the recent Presidential election. Few listened then when 75% of Americans backed the invasion to oust Saddam Hussein, but people are listening now. And Webb and his fellow soldiers are bringing these issues to regional elections in 2006.

And now the powerful closing paragraphs, which I believe is particularly appropriate as Jim Webb receives the endorsements of 4 prominent Marines today:

Today we are beginning to listen to soldiers. Six generals have spoken out in opposition to the conduct of warfare under the leadership of Secretary Rumsfeld. Last week we heard Lawrence Wilkerson, Colin Powell+óGé¼Gäós chief of staff, speak out to oppose the radical agenda of the neocons which has commandeered the sane sensibilities of honest Americans. This week we have heard from General Powell, probably the world+óGé¼Gäós most respected American. We will hear more.

There is a time for Bart Simpson and a time for Joshua Chamberlain, the soldier from New England who held fast at Cemetery Ridge. We enter again the time of the soldier. Jim Webb leads the way. Like his son, on duty today as a Marine in Iraq, he is a man who enters first into responsibility, without hesitation, and is willing to accept his share of whatever pain it will take to return to the peace, and willing to accept as well his share in its grace.

Powerful and moving.  Boy, I sure wish I could write like that.

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