But they did, and the rest is history. Now think what would have happened if Jefferson and Adams weighed the pros and cons of declaring independence, and settled for known comforts as opposed to the uncertainty of what rebellion might bring. And what if George Washington, serene on his farm in Virginia, refused to put on the uniform once more in the service of a noble dream?
These were heroes, despite their human flaws and the relentless criticism they've attracted in our oh-so-more-
"enlightened" age. That's the essence of patriotism, dedication to a principle larger than yourself and without regard for personal risk. No wonder that it's a rare commodity in modern political warfare.
Obama is to be commended for reminding us that no one's patriotism should be questioned in the run-up to November.
But he might want to communicate that message to his surrogates, people like Gen. Wesley Clark, who apparently believe that it's OK to make light of John McCain's military experience. On "Face the Nation" on Sunday, Clark said, apropos of nothing: "I don't think getting in a fighter plane and getting shot down is a qualification to become president."
No one has argued that McCain should win in November because he spent 5 1/2 years in the Hanoi Hilton. (That would be as silly as saying that someone's race or gender should be the reason.)
Still, McCain's Vietnam experience is a critical part of who he is, and at the very least it deserves respectful acknowledgment, not sound-bite sarcasm.
