It's the war, Joel

Joel Connelly, in his latest Seattle Post-Intelligencer column, chastised the "loony left" for giving Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell such a hard time in her hour of need: election year.

Connelly thinks that if the American people give the Senate to the yellow-bellied plutocrats with D’s beside their name, Congress would cease being a “rubber stamp” for the Bush agenda. He also says that the “loony left” gives a pass to right wingers.

(He doesn't mention that these centrist Democrats often use the "loony left" and then stab them in the back once in office.)

He also says that Cantwell should be questioned on the war ... I’m not sure what he means by this.

However, he gives no indication that opposition to Cantwell’s stated support for Bush’s war could be a valid justification for opposing her.

He also says that Cantwell’s GOP opponent, Mike McGavick should be questioned on his support of the war.

... Wow, Joel. You’re brilliant.

(By the way, if you think the state Republicans would anoint a dove, you’re the lunatic. It would be a smart move, but come on, this is the party that brought us Ellen Crasswell)

His last line really brings home the complexity of Connelly’s take on current affairs:

“Above all, with checks and balances restored, the Bush administration would not feel so uninhibited in going to war abroad and spying on Americans at home.”

Connelly neglects to mention that CANTWELL VOTED FOR THE WAR.

Joel, she helped sign the bloody check.

What is it the “loony left” find so disagreeable about Cantwell? Is it her millionaire smirk? Her less-than-fervid defense of abortion rights? Her commitment to trade pacts that hand the shitty end of the stick to undeveloped countries?

It’s the war, Connelly!

I’m sorry, but grandstanding in front of the untamed , pristine wilderness doesn’t change the fact that she is accomplice to unspeakable crimes.

My God, am I taking crazy pills? Or is Connelly taking bribes from Cantwell’s campaign?

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Howlin’ Leroy Eenk sent intern Julio Cumberbun down to Earl’s Bait and Tackle for a little brow furling from the man carrying the Cantwell torch.

HLE: So, you think lefties are being persnickety for criticizing Cantwell?

CONNELLY: Why, she loves polar bears, see? And she floods reporters with worthless press releases. She’s kind to dogs, and recycles. Who are you to criticize her? She’s just trying to make the world a better place for kittens, see? What you got against kittens?

HLE: She declined to filibuster President Bush’s latest attempt to stack the Supreme Court.

C: So you’re a radical, are you?

HLE: Most of her constituents would have supported her.

C: That’s not a fact. What else you got?

HLE: For the one thing, the war ...

C: Oh, the war. Well that’s a big word for you, isn’t it? You ever fought in a war? Well Maria Cantwell has, got her nuts blown off at Anzio, see? And, why, she loves the troops. Who are you to criticize her for supporting Bush’s war in Iraq? You want the terrorists to win?

HLE: Most of her constituents oppose the war.

C: That’s not a fact.

HLE: Most Americans oppose the war

C: Well if you want to be a one-issue voter, go ahead, screw up the chances for the Dems to take the Senate.

HLE: It’s a pretty big issue. And the Senate Democrats have consistently failed to take any meaningful stand (exhibit D26: Feingold’s censure resolution), because most of them are complicit in advancing Bush’s agenda. Who’s to say they will do any different if they have the majority?

C: You need to see past the bloodshed.

HLE: There’s a lot of blood

C: You’ll never do it unless you try.