Posted on 09/26/2003 10:20:23 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
Does integrity count anymore? It is a question worth asking. More importantly, it is a question worth answering.
On Wednesday, retired General and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Hugh Shelton made an astounding public remark. After having completed a spell-binding speech at Foothill College in Los Altos, Calif., as to the events of 9-11 and his 38 years serving in the United States military, Shelton was asked a question that brought a disquieting hush across the crowd. The Los Altos Town Crier newspaper put the events this way:
"What do you think of Gen. Wesley Clark, and would you support him as a presidential candidate," was the question put to him by moderator Dick Henning, assuming that all military men stood in support of each other. Gen. Shelton took a drink of water and Henning said, "I noticed you took a drink on that one!"
"That question makes me wish it were vodka," said Shelton. "I've known Wes for a long time. I will tell you the reason he came out of Europe early had to do with integrity and character issues, things that are very near and dear to my heart. I'm not going to say whether I'm a Republican or a Democrat. I'll just say Wes won't get my vote."
It no doubt was an answer the crowd attending the event was taken by surprise with. But it was more than that. Gen. Shelton betrayed no partisan bias in his answer, but, as a man who knew former Gen. Clark well, he did more than just "decline the chance" to endorse Clark. He offered an "anti-endorsement."
Few people in America are respected more than someone who serves as our highest ranking military person. Few men in the military in the history of our nation have been entrusted with the type of responsibility that Gen. Shelton had seen as the former chairman. Yet his woeful confession revealed something that has gone unnoticed, or yet unknown, in the voices that are rushing to make former Gen. Clark the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for president.
Last Saturday evening, I did something I do not normally do: I sat working on the computer with the television on in the background – watching the Miss America pageant no less. My new bride and I sat and observed the different categories of the competition. I was mainly hoping to catch a glimpse of my friend Erika Harold, the outgoing Miss America for 2003. When she finally came on to the broadcast, it was well worth the wait.
Miss Harold had served as Miss America with distinction and honor. Beyond that, she had been very proactive in trying to get her platform across to promote the things she has been championing for years. Miss America, as an organization, had pestered her and given her grief about being allowed to implement the full scope of her platform (anti-bullying and abstinence). But, eventually, they gave in and allowed her to follow the conviction of her heart.
On more than one occasion, she confided to me the difficulty the organization had made for her. Yet through it all, Erika served with distinction, dignity and honor. Evidently something about Erika had rubbed off within the Miss America ranks. Last year, she was viewed as "the smart one," as USA Today had penned her. She made headlines for making plans to attend Harvard Law School once her speaking engagements came to an end one year after her term.
This year, Miss America contestants numbered better than a dozen who wished to either attend law school in the near future or who were already attending. Two contestants this year were students at Harvard and one contestant – Miss Wisconsin, at the ripe old age of 22 – had already completed medical school.
The sad part of the evening, to me, occurred when Miss Florida, Miss Maryland and others were given the chance to express views about life in 2003 America. It was abundantly clear that while the "knowledge quotient" was up, the "wisdom quotient" was non-existent.
I was sad to see Erika pass her crown on to the eventual winner (Miss Florida) at the end of the evening. But it was a strikingly meaningful moment when Erika announced to the world that night that she someday hoped to be president of the United States.
Integrity seems to be in short supply and that's a sad notion. But what may be even worse is that we as a society are increasingly lessening our demand for it from those who serve us in public capacities.
I am sure it was painful for Gen. Shelton to have to reveal to the world his opinion of what it means to him to not see character in the life of a colleague. I am sure it pained him greatly to not be able to give some shining response – but he did the right thing in speaking the truth about Clark, because we as voters need to be informed.
My heart earnestly hurts at the realization that the General Sheltons and the Erika Harolds of this world may be dwindling in number, but I am thankful they are there because the paths they emblazen may someday be the light that leads us from the abyss into a better day.
At least, that's my silly old fashioned dream.
It is expected to be extended both up the chain of command and down as well.
As regards Clark's putative candidacy, the silence is deafening.
Klinton type word games.
Shelton doesn't have the guts
to directly say
Clark is or isn't
scum. Instead he tosses words
like integrity
and character out,
then talks some more, and lets us
shuffle all the words
as if we can make
real meaning where he just put
out innuendo.
(Yeah, sure, Clark came back
because of "character" things --
Euro-commanders
didn't want NATO
getting orders to do things
that might cause changes
in the Euro scheme
of world geopolitics.
That's why since that time
our politicians
now speak of the "old Europe"
and don't give a damn
what Germany and
France think. Shelton knows all this.
But in politics,
words are only used
to confuse, mis-lead and screw
everyone with ears.)
Oh yes. And perhaps
some day we will all find out
Monica entrapped
Bill, and the Clintons
were really wonderful folk...
Perhaps anything
is possible. But
in the mean time, common sense
is a helpful tool.
Common sense tells us
the Clintons were scum. The same
common sense tells us
that if Shelton talks
in bogus, non-speak phrases,
he's being a jerk.
He will see that none of the other nine candidates has more than about 10 percent of the Demoncrats behind them. Then, just prior to the Demoncrat convention, the truth about Clark will come out, probably from his FBI file, and all that will remain is nine weak candidates at the convention.
Hillary, as a Demoncrat Senator, will have a part in presiding over the convention. There will come a point during the first polling of the various state delegations when it becomes mathematically impossible for any of the candidates to win on the first ballot.
The delegation about to vote will ask for a twenty minute delay while they meet to discuss their support. Suprise! They decide to throw all of their votes to Hillary Clinton.
A cheer lasting five minutes sweeps the convention hall.
The delegation from Alabama asks to change their vote, giving their entire delegation's support to Hillary.
A motion is made to declare Hillary the candidate of the Demoncrat Party by acclamation. No objection is heard above the riotous cheering. The motion is accepted.
Teddy Kennedy grabs Hillary's hand and lifts her arm in the air. Hillary is astounded by the support and love she feels from the delegates. But she reminds the crowd of her promise to serve out her term that she made to the people of New York.
The spokesman for New York announces that the delegation from New York has voted unanimously to release Hillary from her promise. Another cheer goes up in the convention hall.
Hillary accepts the nomination "for the children".
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.