In today's
NY Times, William Kristol criticizes Barack Obama for giving a commencement address about service at "elite" Wesleyan University in which Obama failed to mention military service. In the process Kristol diminishes Obama's own service as a community organizer, questioning whether it was really much of a sacrifice:
And leave aside whether $14,000 in 1985 was really such a shockingly low salary for someone recently out of college — in inflation-adjusted dollars, it’s about what we pay entry-level editorial assistants today at The Weekly Standard.
The next few comments are admittedly ad hominem, so if you are offended, skip to #4.
1. The most obvious point here, is that Kristol (A.B. 1973, Harvard) did not serve in the military. He, like his other neocons have been more than willing use the service and sacrifice of others for political gain, but were busy doing something else (but not service, either military or civilian) when the call for troops was sounded.
2. Don't you love the rhetorical technique of saying "Leave aside" then not leaving it aside at all? Second only to "Not to mention...." and then mentioning.
3. I think there should be a rule that you cannot call a university "elite" if you went to one that was equally elite. Breaking this rule should garner especially harsh punishment when, as in Kristol's case, you went to a university that is arguably even more elite. Sort of like leaning out of the window of your Hummer to criticize the Ford Explorer driver next to you for polluting the atmosphere. But if it helps your argument.....
4. Doesn't Barack Obama honor John McCain's military service almost every time he mentions his opponent's name?
5. Isn't it about time other forms of public service get some mention? After more than five years of a misguided war, perhaps we should begin to use our precious resources more wisely and call our young people to a different kind of service.
