Well, that didn't take long. The Republicans already are insisting that thanks for Sunday's bin Laden bagging are due to the Worst Person Who's Ever Lived* and his Administration's shameful policies of torture.
Never mind the fact that this absurd claim has been effectively put to rest by reputable journalists such as Andrew Sullivan, and Mark Mazzetti of The New York Times (who ought to know). The Republicans keep trumpeting it. Is it because of their intense dislike of Barack Obama? Their childish disappointment that they have to give the guy some credit now? Their fury that the upcoming 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks will help remind the nation that it was Obama who got Osama?
Whatever. Let us just take a moment to imagine what would have happened if it had been George W. Bush who'd taken bin Laden out. Goodness gracious, the thought of the Republicans' reaction just makes our furry little heads spin. Their gushing and trumpeting and touting and taunting would make the GOP's Reagan-naming frenzy look pale by comparison.
We kid you not. Every tunnel, freeway and airport in America would be named Bush. His birthday would be declared a national holiday. The silly "ranch" in Crawford, Texas would replace Mount Vernon and Monticello as a national shrine. We'd all have to buy Worst Person tchotchkes from the Franklin Mint. (If we didn't, our patriotism would be questioned.) Our kids would have to go to Worst Person schools and read Worst Person biographies, and — oh, good heavens, the Republican conventions. We can't even bear to think about that.
But — guess what? That didn't happen. You know why? Because the Republicans have always been more interested in surface appearances and propaganda than in really getting the job done. So, go ahead, GOP — keep pandering to the crazy. You're just dooming yourselves to the kiddies' table.
*In the wake of the death of a truly horrible person like Osama bin Laden, we cats would like to clarify once more that our nickname for George W. Bush is based on the our higher expectations for Americans, and how they conduct themselves as leaders, role models and human beings. Thank you.
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