Oh, beloved martyrs. Leaders of the rabble. Fearless masters of decency.
Save us from ourselves.
On CNN's State of the Union last weekend, host John King presented Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), with a yes-or-no question: "If you get to the final point and you are a critical vote for health care reform and every piece of evidence tells you ... you will lose your job, would you cast the vote and lose your job?"
Like Joan of Arc facing the burning pillar—"may Obama so keep me"—a valiant Bennet, undeterred by the gruesome prospect of returning to a life of undeserved appointments and a real job, answered plainly, "Yes."
One might have let his reply to a no-win question slide, but no sooner had word of the senator's heroism trickled down to the masses than his campaign staff sent out a blast of self-love, claiming that Bennet's answer proved he fearlessly would "stand up for what is right. He is willing to take on the special interests who will stop at nothing to protect the status quo."
Ironically, Bennet—appointed by Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter, who overlooked more dynamic and experienced Democrats—was only given his spot as designated Obama yes man through a special interest of one. So goes the real life of our gutsy protagonist.
The most powerful special interest in this nation, of course, is the federal government. It's an organization that Bennet will empower with unprecedented coercive powers to control the common citizen's health care decisions—his vote, guaranteed even before reading the final bill. To vote any other way could mean a primary loss and little support from an administration that landed him his job—perhaps the only job it created.
But Bennet certainly isn't alone. These days, the idea of courage—especially in Washington—flows freely.
Recently, Newt Gingrich called Obama "a liberal Democratic president who has the courage to take on the establishment on education," as if the tepid education reforms of the administration were akin to a power move against the Gambino crime syndicate (though, admittedly, the National Education Association comes close).
Actress Angie Harmon this week declared that Sarah Palin is a "woman who has her own set of values and morals and ethics and has the courage to live her life accordingly." How many of you have the steely courage to sell 700,000 books in a week?
President Barack Obama, never shy about applauding his own transcendent valor, also announced the traditional pardon of the White House turkey—and a big chicken, if you ask me—erroneously named (you guessed it) Courage.
Courage is off to Disneyland.
And a few weeks ago, after the Senate Finance Committee moved the health care takeover bill through, the president singled out Sen. Olympia Snowe from Maine for her "courage."
Courage? I suppose that in Washington, moving a bill out of committee constitutes bravery. Those wild mobs of radical wing nuts in Maine, after all, only can be contained for so long, you know.
But out of 100 senators pretending to understand the health care bill, perhaps a half-dozen have a chance of realizing bravery in even the most liberated sense of the word. Most of those, Democrats and Republicans, however, diligently will investigate every poll and political consideration before they vote.
Editor's Note: We invite comments and request that they be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of Reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment for any reason at any time.
Chris|11.25.09 @ 2:11PM|#
Well, good for you Senator, giving up your job for the sake of what is right. Now if we can get the rest of the statist fools in congress to voluntarily give up their seats too.
(of course that would leave us without a congress)
|11.25.09 @ 4:30PM|#
that would leave us without a congress
You say that like it's a bad thing.
Chris|11.25.09 @ 4:49PM|#
Meh.
Patrick|11.28.09 @ 2:01PM|#
Translation of what the Senator said:
"Even though nobody wants it, I know what's best for them. I'm proud of how brave that makes me. Liberty is only for the enlightened political class!"
|11.25.09 @ 2:34PM|#
42% Say People Randomly Selected from Phone Book Better Than Current Congress
http://www.rasmussenreports.co.....t_congress
Let's make it a lottery, like Jury Duty, that you can only get out of in very specific situations/problems.
|11.25.09 @ 2:36PM|#
I forgot to point out this factoid from the story:
|11.25.09 @ 3:05PM|#
If you poll a randomly selected group of people, of course they'll say a randomly selected group can do a better job. I bet if you asked members of Congress, they would say members of Congress do a better job.
IceTtrey|11.26.09 @ 12:41AM|#
No, let them refuse if they want and then just pick another name. What really needs to be done is hold an Article 5 constitutional convention and repeal the 16th and 17th amendments. That would solve a lot of problems.
|11.25.09 @ 3:07PM|#
Definitely liking the "Rep. Altmire voted against Health Care Reform and betrayed Democrats" ad in this article. Ads by Google is even dumber than the Beano family.
But|11.25.09 @ 3:24PM|#
The most powerful special interest in this nation, of course, is the federal government. It's an organization that Bennet will empower with unprecedented coercive powers.
Uh oh.
David Harsanyi|11.25.09 @ 5:55PM|#
Crap. I did it.
But|11.25.09 @ 7:43PM|#
You so did it.
David Harsanyi|11.25.09 @ 9:19PM|#
What I meant to say was: "unparalleled."
|11.25.09 @ 4:59PM|#
Barack Obama is a closeted homosexual.
Chris|11.26.09 @ 2:15AM|#
With an affinity for garters belts.
When making slanderous remarks it is important to include as many made up details as possible.
Pingback| 11.25.09 @ 6:07PM
Twitter Trackbacks for Phony Are the Brave - Reason Magazine [reason.com] on Topsy.c links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.25.09 @ 6:16PM
How Can A Vegan Diet Help You To Lose Weight? | Fat Loss | Diet Health Wisdom links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
|11.25.09 @ 6:42PM|#
I guess the ultimate Obama quote would be for him to proclaim himself "unprecedentedly brave in the history of U.S. Presidents". This would satisfy his compulsion to use the word 'unprecedented' at least once a day while congratulating himself in the same sentence.
Silentz|11.25.09 @ 7:30PM|#
At least Bennet took a stance on this. Usually he mumbles a bit and then says, "Look! A pony!" He's a tool. Literally. Both he and Udall missed the cut on who could vote 'no' for the health bill baloney. So hopefully enough Coloradoan wake up and give him a chance to go back to the private sector...or a cabinet appointment...whatever.
Dan Rather|11.25.09 @ 10:42PM|#
Courage!
The Cowardly Lion says|11.26.09 @ 1:11AM|#
Screw you and your little dog too, Mr. Wizard!
I'll just take that harlot's ruby slippers and you can keep your so called courage.
And you're scarecrow stuffed with bullsh*t...er...I meant change.
And you're yellow brick road paved with even more bullsh*t...er...hope? Is that what we call it now?
And keep your Congress too...oh, so sorry, The Emerald City as you seem to insist on calling it but, whatever dude, as it seems to be MADE of bullsh*t!
I think I need a shower now...
|11.25.09 @ 10:45PM|#
In addition to courage and bravery, another over-used phrase to describe what politicians do is "public service."
As if a career of entitlement, power, and privilege is some type of sacrifice they make for us peons.
anonnymess|11.25.09 @ 10:50PM|#
+1000 for the Edward Abbey headline reference. Best movie evar (so sayeth Kirk Douglas).
Pingback| 11.26.09 @ 1:40AM
Phony Are the Brave - Reason Magazine PV online links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Bill Walker|11.26.09 @ 12:43PM|#
The comment above regarding an Article V Convention as the means to resolve this issue of Congress should receive more consideration and comment than it is getting. Public record shows all 50 states have submitted 750 applications for an Article V Convention, some 20 times the number required by the Constitution to compel Congress to call a convention. The texts of the applications can be read at www.foavc.org.
Christian Louboutin|11.28.09 @ 4:38AM|#
Thank you for your sharing. Supposed to attack these head-on and you will find a deep sense of gratification that will fuel your happiness.
Christian Louboutin|11.28.09 @ 4:39AM|#
Thank you for your sharing. Supposed to attack these head-on and you will find a deep sense of gratification that will fuel your happiness.
Trackback| 11.29.09 @ 3:20AM
credit repair company, on credit repair company, links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.29.09 @ 11:51PM
Liberals are Business Killing Hypocrates | Taxes and Liberal Values links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
Pingback| 11.30.09 @ 12:28AM
Not All Liberals are Hypocrites links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
|12.1.09 @ 9:41AM|#
Actress Angie Harmon this week declared that Sarah Palin is a "woman who has her own set of values and morals and ethics and has the courage to live her life accordingly." How many of you have the steely courage to sell 700,000 books in a week?
I'm not sure why this was gratuitously thrown into the conversation.....but a more reasonable response to Ms. Harmon's remark would be "is having the steely courage of you faith to have the baby you know will be severely handicapped?" David, do you have that kind of courage?
Trackback| 1.15.10 @ 11:04AM
conquer the crash book, on conquer the crash book, links to this page. Here’s an excerpt:
|5.4.10 @ 10:05PM|#
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Pink Fur Hoodie
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Gray Fur Hoodie
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Beige Fur Hoodie
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Dark Blue Fur Hoodie
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Green Fur Hoodie
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Dark Red Fur Hoodie
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Pink Fur Hoodie
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Gray Fur Hoodie
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Beige Fur Hoodie
Abercrombie & Fitch Women's Pink Fur Hoodie
abercrombie milano|5.27.10 @ 5:02AM|#
My only point is that if you take the Bible straight, as I'm sure many of Reasons readers do, you will see a lot of the Old Testament stuff as absolutely insane
nike shox|8.11.11 @ 3:32AM|#
is good