'Weakling-in-Chief': Boston Globe Mocks Bush 41 for Not Taking Out Saddam in '91

Those burly hawks of the Boston Globe are at it again. With a Landis-like testosterone rush, the Globe's editorial this morning, Tarring the majority, rips George H.W. Bush for failing to have taken out Saddam at the conclusion of Operation Desert Storm. Or as the Globe so sneeringly put it:

"The weakling-in-chief who failed to oust Saddam Hussein in 1991 was not a Democrat but the first President George Bush."

Yes, we all remember those rousing Globe editorials urging the first war against Iraq. And who can forget the glorious martial strains of its editorial opus "On to Baghdad!" at war's end? Or not.

The Globe's bout of Sudden-Onset Machismo Syndrome reflects its high dudgeon at VP Cheney's suggestion, reacting to Joe Lieberman's defeat, that "from the standpoint of our adversaries, if you will, in this conflict, and the Al Qaeda types, they clearly are betting on the proposition that ultimately they can break the will of the American people."

The Globe was likewise outraged by Tony Snow's comment that

``One of the approaches [of Lamont supporters ] is to ignore the difficulties and walk away," Snow said. ``Now, when the United States walked away in the opinion of Osama bin Laden in 1991, bin Laden drew from that the conclusion that American s were weak and wouldn't stay the course, and that led to Sept. 11 ."

The Globe somehow casts Lieberman's decision to run as an independent as an affront to democracy:

• "Lieberman . . . is refusing to accept the verdict of the majority."
• "Statements that demean the choice of 52 percent of the Democratic electorate -- along with Lieberman's insistence on a do-over -- only serve to discourage voters, reducing turnout in elections and further polarizing results."
• And how's this for invidious comparison?: "Democracy is messy. But it's still the best system yet devised. If it is good enough for Iraq, it's good enough for Connecticut."

Lieberman can be accused of a lack of party loyalty; perhaps even of confusing personal ambition with the national interest. But contrary to the Globe's fulminations, Lieberman's decision to run as an independent reflects no affront to democracy. If Lieberman wins in November - or loses for that matter - it will reflect the democratic will of the people in Connecticut, turning out in numbers that will dwarf the 15% of the total electorate that went to the polls this past Tuesday.

The boys of the Globe should breathe deeply into a paper bag: democracy is not about to fall in Connecticut. And for mercy sake's guys, lay off those 'special' sports drinks. They say it's bad for your complexion.

Aside: Cue the tongue clucks.  With Mass. guv Mitt Romney still smarting from the licks he took for his 'tar baby' comment, the Globe uses a 'tarring' metaphor in its editorial headline?

Mark Finkelstein lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts the award-winning public-access TV show 'Right Angle.' Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net