Larry, Moe, and Harry Reid

The week of April 16, 2007 began with a shocking news report in the early morning, which grew more shocking in each ensuing hour, and concluded in abject horror with the revelation of a massacre of over 30 of our brightest people at Virginia Tech University. In the days that followed we prayed -- and continue to pray -- for their souls, for the recovery of the survivors, and for their families, friends, and fellow students.

The poke in the eye was dealt by the senator from Nevada, on Thursday, April 19, 2007: He plain out ignored the mourning processes over what evil had done what evil had wanted. With the poise of a snake oil salesman he positioned himself before a gaggle of reporters and delivered a revolting testimonial:

“I believe this war is lost.”

If he had ended this statement with “…nyuk, nyuk, nyuk,” then the question in every conservative’s mind would have been finally answered: Stooges are alive and well on Capitol Hill -- and they’re driving our red, white & blue integrity and morale into the ground. (Note: Flying above the senator, which he showed no interest in noticing, was our Stars & Stripes at half-staff in respect, honor and memory of the students and faculty who were killed four days earlier.)

Reid has lashed back against Republicans’ criticism of his statement, and with ambiguity:

“No one wants us to succeed in Iraq more than Democrats.”

String both his messages together and they make about as much sense as NBC’s irreverent decision to broadcast the disturbing personal video and audiotapes of the Virginia Tech shooter only 48 hours after the unspeakable tragedy (the day before the Nevada senator decided he was overdue for his moment in the limelight). (On a personal note, I will never forgive NBC for their avarice by airing that video so soon, nor will I ever pardon them for flip-flopping and ultimately canceling the screwball comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun, a critical and ratings success at the time: proof that liberal television networks (much like the sitting Congress) are nowhere near in touch with practicality.)

Back to ‘Stoogeville:’

Pack in with Reid the rest of his irresponsible sidekicks, like Nancy ‘Give Me an Inch So I Can Be the Ruler’ Pelosi (whose unauthorized trots throughout the Middle East was a blatant act of insubordination as well as a violation of deference for both President Bush and Secretary of State Rice, not to mention jeopardizing national security), and the prodigious vessel we call Congress will be in danger of taking on water. Or, more simply put: Loose lips sink ships.

Senate Majority Leader Reid proved by his loose-lip statement that he, and others of the self-styled ‘new’ Congress, is not a visionary. Neither is he a leader, because a genuine leader who is fully committed to battling the darkest forces of iniquity never lays down his sword to that enemy -- an enemy that is consumed with blind hatred and bloodlust, who gives no quarter to his victims, whether they be men, women, or children.

Reid and his colleagues cannot -- or will not -- accept the true meaning of victory on the scale necessary to once and for all stamp out radical Islamic terrorism. Success does not materialize ‘abracadabra’ like a fuzzy rabbit from inside an illusionist’s top hat. The House and Senate steadfastly refuse to recognize that society allows only one great change at a time, and every great change takes time.

Terrorists are trying to use that time to gain traction and the only way to beat them, and those that sponsor terrorism, is to slash their malignant ideology to zero. Reid and the others who think and speak like defeatists will never grasp this fact, because their reach falls miserably short due to their short-sightedness.

For Reid to state to the world -- to the sworn enemies of peace -- that the war in Iraq is lost (and on the basis of intelligence reports for just one week) is not a sign of strength. It is fearful, ignorant, and unmanly.

Senators represent the people, but Reid’s statement -- and statements and actions by others like him -- is disloyal and a slap in the people’s face. And the people include each devoted member of our armed forces -- Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines -- serving not just in Iraq but in every outpost in the world. The value of their mottos, particularly Semper Fi, is plainly and dishonorably alien to Reid.

Slap me, and I’ll turn the other cheek. But slap our men and women in uniform and you have stepped way over the line.

Senator Reid said this war is lost. There is only one response that that comes to mind which is succinctly appropriate. As 3rd Rock’s high commander, Dick Solomon, retorted often and with sustained relish:

“No, Harry. You’re WRONG.”