Friday, October 30, 2009

Who Will Rid Me of This Turbulent Priest?

This quote, ascribed to England’s Henry II, is said to have led to the murder of Thomas Becket, the Archbishop of Canterbury by knights loyal to Henry.

The quote comes to mind as I learned today that Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, an Independent who used to call the Democratic Party his home until they soundly threw him out on his ear in Connecticut’s 2006 primary, promises to campaign for Republicans against their Democratic opponents in the 2010 elections.

No, I don’t want some knight to whack Joe Lieberman for being his cantankerous self. I just simply don’t think Democrats need to pander to this man any longer, and that he should, by all rights, be stripped of his chairmanship of the Senate Homeland Security Committee.

What do Democrats owe this Quisling?

During the presidential election, Joe Lieberman found himself onstage with John McCain, Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber (if not literally, figuratively) campaigning for the Democratic nominee’s opponent.

During the presidential election, Joe Lieberman addressed the Republican Convention, giving aid and comfort to the enemy.

And after the election, Joe Lieberman threatened to defect to the Republican Party if the Democrats stripped him of his above-mentioned committee chairmanship.

And now, Joe Lieberman threatens to join Republicans in filibustering the healthcare reform bill if it contains a public option – essentially killing it unless the Senate leadership decides to bypass the process and go through the reconciliation process.

Face it, Joe Lieberman has already carried out his threat. He has bolted the Democratic Caucus. The only thing that he hasn’t done is openly joined the Caucus of the Dark Side.

But it is obvious to all that Lieberman now looks like a duck, quacks like a duck and acts like a duck. Just because he still claims to be an eagle doesn’t change the argument. A duck is a duck and a Republican is a Republican.

And Joe Lieberman is a Republican.

Either that, or Joe Lieberman is bluffing, and holding a hand that would be an ace high straight flush but lacks the jack.

The Democratic leadership needs to call Lieberman’s bluff.

We literally have nothing to lose in doing so.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Hal,

True that-----well stated.

Democrats need to call him on his actions. He has been flashing peek-a-boo peeks at his hand for awhile now. He has, now, shown his hand in full effect; and straight on; staring down the Democrats, boldly.

I agree with you Hal. Strip that Bold-AH of his post. It is no longer a gentlemanly game.

Lieberman has taken action which signals that he wants a duel. The Democrats need to quit pussy-footing around and respond to Lieberman’s request.
Give him wants he wants!!!

It is as if Lieberman is an unfaithful lover or spouse who has found a new love and wants to leave to be with the new love of his life, but first he has to pick a fight to feel justified in leaving the lover or spouse who is trying to bend over backward to hold on to him.

Democrats, let him go! Let the duel begin!