The Character of a Nation

Hotpotatomash reminds me that it is, once again, George Bush's declared National Character Counts week. With all the current scandals embroiling his Republican Party, one wonders whether Bush finds his own declaration of this week a bit embarrassing:

I call upon public officials, educators, librarians, parents, students, and all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs.

After the inauspicious debut of national character week last year, he might have exempted "public officials" from this laundry list.

Indeed, it seems like only yesterday that, during last year's "national character counts" week, Tom DeLay was busy getting himself indicted for election fraud, conspiracy and money laundering in connection with his TRMPAC activities. And now here we are again, with a number of Republicans facing investigation for influence peddling or otherwise pleading guilty to or being convicted of a variety of charges. And all the while, the Repulican leadership continues to deny their cover-up of the Foley scandal and claim that it was everyone else's fault but theirs.

After DeLay was flown to his court hearing by R.J. Reynolds on their private jet, that erstwhile "public official" was not imparting the national character with any noble characteristics. One year later, that party's highest ranking officials only continue to besmirch the character of this country's government.

National character, hang your head in shame.