(HOST) Commentator Bill Seamans has been thinking about the meaning and usage of words again. Everyday words like “patience” and “table”. And other words we haven’t used in a while – like “draft”.
(SEAMANS) The latest word of the week regarding Iraq is patience – yes, we’ve heard it before but both President Bush and Condi Rice have repeated that timeworn admonition in recent days – that we must have patience with Bush’s handling of the war and should not be driven by Democratic demands that our troops be brought home too soon. It’s one of those words in the Washington lexicon that is used to sound substantive but really says nothing. “Patience for what?” the public asks. “Give us some specific plans.”
And lately it sounds like our native New England custom of discussing problems around the kitchen table has migrated to Washington where the table has become burdened with some important options regarding critical decisions. I’ll borrow some examples from an article in the New York Times.
When asked what we’re going to do about Iran’s defiance of the United Nations, Dick Cheney said that (quote) “no options had been taken off the TABLE.” Then presidential candidate Hillary sounded like she thought that was a pretty handy answer so when asked about Iran she insisted that (quote) “no option can be taken off the TABLE.” Speaking to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee Barack Obama added a bellicose tone when he said that Iran was a threat to us all and (quote) “we should take no option, including military action, off the TABLE.” John Edwards said that Iran should not be allowed to have nuclear weapons and added those now familiar words (quote) “we need to keep all options on the TABLE.” It’s obvious, then, that the table in Washington is getting a real workout.
Coming home to my kitchen table I have asked presidential candidates passing through Keene whether they thought – what with our volunteer Army stretched to its limits and having difficulty meeting recruiting quotas – what they thought about the possibility of a draft? It is such a poison-pill question that the answers were expectable – “sorry, I’m not aware of any such proposal.” Then one day I was really surprised by a candidate who – while asking to remain nameless – told me with unexpected candor that – and I quote yet again – “talk of a draft is on the TABLE.”
That’s all he would say but we could ask if discussions about a draft are, indeed, on the table in Washington why haven’t we the people been told? Now that’s a question for your Congress persons!
The extreme stress that our Army is suffering is not a story concocted by an allegedly biased news media. These are facts endorsed by reporters and troops, presidential candidates and congress persons who have been to Iraq, and by retired generals now free to criticize President Bush’s handling of the war – all apparently discussing the problem around that virtual kitchen table in Washington.
Bill Seamans is a former correspondent and bureau chief for ABC News in the Middle East.