Benedict Arlen Learns That Traitors Never Prosper

While contemplating his move from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, Sen. Arlen Specter was promised not only that he would be allowed to keep his committee assignments, but that he would keep the same level of seniority as though he had been first elected as a Democrat back in 1980.

Complaints by rank-and-file Democrats prompted Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to go back on his word and Specter is now the most junior Democratic member of the five committees on which he serves: Appropriations, Judiciary, Veterans Affairs, Environment and Public Works, and Special Aging. Apparently the seniority question will be revisited after the 2010 election.

Specter is far from being the first side-switcher to be treated thusly by his new teammates. Benedict Arnold, a brilliant officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, became bitter because he felt he was not promoted quickly enough and for being court-martialed and found guilty of using the army for his own personal reasons...

Benedict Arnold, a brilliant officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, became bitter because he felt he was not promoted quickly enough and for being court-martialed and found guilty of using the army for his own personal reasons...

For the record, Benedict Arnold was a leader of men, whereas many of his otherwise superior “American” officers were not. Arnold was not an aristocrat or politician, and most such "men" didn't like him. General George Washington, however, did.

Early in the Revolution, Arnold's assault on Quebec was a masterpiece that came close to turning all of Canada into territorial property of the United States. The assault on the city was -- almost -- a complete success. That compelling story can be found in a book titled "Arundel" by Kenneth Roberts.

Arnold later won a US Naval victory on Lake Champlain. Arnold's small fleet of tiny gunboats -- all of which where sunk at the battle of Valcour Bay -- delayed a British invasion of upstate New York for a year. During that battle, all of Arnold's expense records went down with his boat and Congress later refused to reimburse Arnold because those records were lost.

. Arnold was also present at the battle of Saratoga and under orders to remain in headquarter's area atop a hill overlooking the battle. Arnold, consequently, was on a horse, watching the battle unfold below him … and he rode that horse into the battle after seeing that American forces were losing due to poor leadership. The men rallied to Arnold’s leadership and he led a battle charge into the British headquarters area and captured an entire British Army. During that charge, Arnold was badly wounded, but refused to allow doctors to cut his leg off.

The Battle of Saratoga was the turning point of the war and France, soon thereafter, joined the war on Americs's side. After Saratoga, Arnold went into rehab in the Philadelphia area and back into running his small business in merchant shipping … where he used Army wagons (payback for Congress’ refusal to reimburse his Lake Champlain expenses) to move cargo between ships and warehouses … for which he was court-martialed and convicted.

General Washington, with respect to the court martial, advised patience and later made Arnold the Commandant at West Point.

Arnold’s fury over Congress and the court martial, however, led to his eventual betrayal; and - in my mind - today’s Congress is worse than that day's Congress.

Footnote ... Arnold’s story, after Quebec, is well told in the book “Rabble in Arms,” by Kenneth Roberts.

I wish the comparison would stop. Benedict Arnold was more of a patriot than Specter ever could be, and did more for this country than Specter ever did. While his treason can’t be excused, still the Continental Congress royally screwed him over in ways the article doesn’t get across. He did the brilliant work in the field while other, less capable, officers got the credit and promotions. He spent a huge amount of his own money on the war, yet Congress decided he owed money. It would take a man of great moral courage not to be mad at that and keep fighting, keep helping the very people who are screwing you. Arnold just didn’t have that high a level of moral courage.

Specter never got screwed by the Republicans despite any extraordinary ability such as Arnold’s, he just switched in order to keep his current power.

This is what we dont know. I cant see the Postal Service actually removing anything from the mail. Every year you read about someone who was fired for opening mail which makes me think they dont have the legal authority to do it.

What we have been wondering around here is whether Congress has hired a private security firm to look at the Capitol Hill mail after it is irradiated. I am thinking they might randomly sample it, as well as look for “suspicious” items. We just dont know the answer to this question.

I think you are right that in such a situation the wrapper might be forwarded. That was my feeling during the tea bag protests...that if the bags were being removed the tags were being forwarded.

He could have ended his career with a bang. I am a realist. I know that most politicians are by nature at least capable of duplicity. Many are like teenagers they will try to tell the truth but when it comes to it they are willing to shade it just so.

Kid wants the car to go out and knows there are only so many places his folks will allow him to drive at night. He suddenly becomes very religious. He starts attending youth group on tuesdays. He goes in - says hello to everyone finds out what they are going to be doing and then makes his excuses about having a big test and leaves.
He and his buddies then go have a couple of hours of fun. A couple of beers and some pool at a friends. He is home by 11:00 PM his curfew. Mom asks him how youth group was and he proceeds to tell his mother who was there and what they did.

Did he lie? - No - Was he truthful? No-he was able to shade the truth enough to placate everyone.
That is how honest politicians are. the dishonest one’s which there are many, would not have gone at all and lied about it.

I have no illusions about politicians the best we can hope for is to keep them so scared that they know if they vote for bigger government or against states rights or even mention a new program they will be defeated in the next election. I would take a scared liberal that votes conservative over a rhino any day.

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