We shouldn't over-revere the Founding Fathers. Still, they built well, according to their lights. The US Senate, for example, was meant to be a bulwark against the dire peril of democracy, and it has served that purpose admirably. To that extent, the old boys in the wigs, wherever they may have gone, can be justifiably proud of their achievement.
But wouldn't they be a little embarrassed by the abject, cringing, servile boot-licking, and the gibbering, depraved, self-imposed and self-embraced imbecility that characterizes the Upper House in our day.?
Today's Senate resolution cheering on Israel's barbarities in Gaza(*) gives us a fine exemplum of Auden's lines --
Intellectual disgraceConnoisseurs of Doublespeak will find much to enjoy in this document. I'm not quite sure what my own favorite bit is, but this passage is a strong contender:
Stares from every human face;
And the seas of pity lie
Locked and frozen in each eye.
[The Senate encourages] the President to work actively to support a durable, enforceable, and sustainable cease-fire in Gaza, as soon as possible, that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding the capability to launch rockets and mortars....In other words: "cease-fire" just got redefined as "Israeli victory."
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(*) Passed unanimously; Democrats and Republicans alike scrambled like Filene's shoppers for the privilege of fellating the Israel Lobby.
Comments (6)
How the hell did this find its way in there?
"Whereas the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including shortages of food, water, electricity, and adequate medical care, is becoming more acute;"
Posted by peter | January 9, 2009 1:35 AM
Posted on January 9, 2009 01:35
for tonites performance of while rome burned
AIPAC
will play the role of emp nero
and as st peter
-- in a rare return to prime time tv--
ralph nader
Posted by op | January 9, 2009 6:55 AM
Posted on January 9, 2009 06:55
of course as usual the senate will play themselves
Posted by op | January 9, 2009 6:56 AM
Posted on January 9, 2009 06:56
Peter, I think the Senate is trying to voice its concern over the direness of the situation created by Hamas holding Gaza hostage (see a few "whereases" above...), which makes Israel's humanitarian intervention all the more imperative.
Posted by ktm | January 9, 2009 8:46 AM
Posted on January 9, 2009 08:46
Golly, can't you just wait to hear the "plenty" Nero-bama will have to say once he takes the throne?
Posted by Michael Dawson | January 9, 2009 1:37 PM
Posted on January 9, 2009 13:37
Anybody notice any MSM coverage of this at all? It's absent at CNN and NYT...
Wonder why...not.
Posted by Michael Dawson | January 9, 2009 2:08 PM
Posted on January 9, 2009 14:08