Last refuge of the scoundrel

"Bush supporters have been labeling war critics defeatists, appeasers and surrender monkeys ever since 9/11. Chickenhawk conservatives discovered they could attack even decorated war veterans with impunity, as the shameless smearing of triple amputee Vietnam War vet Max Cleland proved. Who could forget that glorious day when newly elected Rep. Jean Schmidt, R-Ohio, attacked Rep. John Murtha, a war hero, by saying, "Cowards cut and run, Marines never do"?

Congress and the media's gutless reaction to these attacks is one of the main reasons they rolled over during the run-up to the war in Iraq. But those who live by bogus patriotic fearmongering die by bogus patriotic fearmongering. Having cast its lot irrevocably with Bush, the GOP is now condemned to play out the dismal endgame in Iraq by his all-or-nothing rules. They have no choice but to pretend victory is at hand, attack those who say otherwise, and make up apocalyptic scenarios about what al-Qaida will do to us if we don't stay the course. The problem is, no one believes any of this anymore -- probably not even the people who are saying it..."

"Churchill called for blood and sweat, Bush called for more shopping."

Last refuge of the scoundrel | Salon.com