The Political Chase

Adam Roberts on Murtha

Adam Roberts, a young blogger at The Metropolis Times on Murtha.

I usually shy away from the angry rant post, but this week’s events have pushed me too far. I just don’t understand far-right Republicans sometimes. Decent human morality aside, do you honestly believe that smear attacks work? Take your head out of the sand and look at the polls.

Do you think character assassination is funny? Do you think making up cute nicknames for ‘defeatists’ or ‘feminazis’ contributes anything to public discourse? Do you think the voting public is just too stupid to see through your ad hominem attacks if you can just make enough of them? Do you think that the more vitriolic an argument is, the more convincing it is?

Or maybe its the nature of modern media. Maybe you look at Michael Moore and Ann Coulter and figure that the best way to get publicity is to be as controversial as possible. In a busy world where cable TV, satellite radio and the crowded blogosphere compete for attention, being offensive is the best way to get noticed.

None of that excuses your despicable treatment of Rep. John Murtha. Murtha is a centrist, a respected member of Congress and an American war hero. Now that he spoke out against the Iraq War, he is being blasted as an un-American coward on the floors of our nation’s capital, across the airwaves and internet. You feel free to insult and belittle true patriots while you hide behind the troops and even the flag.