News - Should patriotism be an issue in the U.S. Senate race?

Yes. Patriotism might not have been a major issue in Georgia’s Senate race had it not been for Saxby Chambliss’ remarks questioning the loyalty of a triple-amputee war hero.



Poor Saxby Chambliss. He has a bad knee.

In fact, his knee is so bad he told his draft board on two occasions in the 1960s that he was unable to serve in the military during the Vietnam War. This was after he’d already sought a student deferment so he could attend law school.

But fortunately, time is a healer, and these days, the Republican Senate candidate’s knee seems to be a-OK. In his campaign appearances — including several with George W. Bush — Saxby looked vigorous and strong, striding to the podium without the slightest indication of a limp.

On the other hand, Chambliss’ Democratic opponent, Sen. Max Cleland, doesn’t have any knees. They were blown off, along with his right arm, in a grenade explosion during the siege of Khe Sanh after he volunteered to serve his country as an Army officer. Max received the Bronze and Silver stars for his service in Vietnam.

But these facts haven’t stopped Chambliss from viciously attacking Cleland’s patriotism.

In a recent press release, Chambliss accused his opponent of “breaking his oath to protect and defend the Constitution” because Cleland had voted “yes” on a routine Chemical Weapons Treaty amendment allowing inspectors from neighboring nations like Syria and Iran to serve on U.N. inspection teams in Iraq. What makes Chambliss’ bizarre attack all the more frustrating is that the bipartisan ratification of the amendment was unremarkable in its impact on national security, a mere footnote in the grand scheme of the war on terrorism.

Former U.S. Sen. Bob Kerrey, who himself lost a leg in Vietnam, called Chambliss’ remarks “a shocking slap in the face not just to Max, but to all veterans.” And he was right. I feel compelled to defend Cleland, not because of any shared ideology, but because we share a common bond. I may never have faced the horrors of combat, but I am a veteran of the United States Army, one who gladly volunteered to serve his country. Chambliss would do well to learn that if you attack one of us — especially one of our wounded — you have attacked us all.

Patriotism might not have been a major issue in Georgia’s Senate race had it not been for Chambliss’ pathetic remarks questioning the loyalty of a triple-amputee war hero.

Or perhaps I’m being too harsh. Saxby has a bad knee, after all, and who am I to make light of the suffering he has endured? Maybe his legs and right arm were bothering him that day.

Jeff Berry doesn’t like it when draft dodgers question the patriotism of veterans.??






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