The F Word and More Hypocrisy

All day long, I've heard pundits and reporters on TV bring up the use of the F word and VP Dick Cheney's use of it to Sen Pat Leahy.

However, the funniest observation is available. When Kerry used the word in a magazine article for a magazine that does not shy away from the use of that word, the right wing jumped all over him. Do we want a man who uses such language (Oh, Millie, get the smelling salts!") as the leader of the world? What will God think? How can a man who can't control his words become president?"

Here we have a case, which the WH has characterized as a "fair exchange of views" in reference to Cheney's F-up, when we know the story is that after Leahy said hello (wow, them's fighting words) to Cheney, Cheney lights into him about a perfectly acceptable concern about Cheney's continued involvement in Halliburton. Leahy, still not losing his temper, said something like, "Well, I didn't appreciate you characterizing me as a bad Catholic because I opposed one of your judicial nominees."

That's when Cheney says the F word.

Lessee, Cheney makes an attack on Leahy based on Leahy properly doing his job, Leahy says he didn't appreciate a personal assault on his private faith, Cheney lets go with the F word and stalks off, but it's a fair exchange of views? Leahy just didn't understand that the emperor and his clothiers do not brook criticism. You're not supposed to have it and you certainly aren't to say it if you do. Cheney made a personal attack in a professional situation, one which is usually verboten on the floor of the Senate. In fact, Cheney's the president of the senate.

Where is the outrage about a leader using the F word? Mind you, that debate is just patently ridiculous. The F word is only the tip of the point. (And the F word, btw, is Fuck. I can say it here. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Wow, that's probably almost as many times typed as I've ever done it in one night... Cough) But if the right was upset about F in print, I want to hear their care about it on the Senate floor.

More the issue is the fact that the Bushies hold everyone else - including ranking senior members of Capitol Hill, old Europe, and certainly everyone of us not donating 200K or more to his campaign - in complete and uttter contempt. Anyone who doesn't see that by now - because the phenomenon ain't exactly fresh and news folks - is blind or intentionally stupid.