Joe Biden Does Something Heroic

Contributor Lloyd Garver Looks at Public Figures And Personal Responsibility

(CBS)  Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.) was in the news recently for saying some things that he wished he hadn't said. Presumably intending to compliment Barack Obama, Biden made some remarks that were patronizing, at best. I salute him.

Why? Do I approve of making thoughtless remarks about African-Americans? Of course not. Do I think he should have thought before he spoke? You bet. But I admire him for what he didn't do. After saying something stupid and embarrassing and potentially harmful to his career, he didn't run off to a rehab center.

Biden took responsibility for his actions, didn't blame them on anything that happened in his childhood, and apologized. That kind of heroic behavior is very rare today.

When Gavin Newsom, the mayor of San Francisco, admitted to and apologized for having an affair with his best friend's wife, he didn't mention therapy or rehab either. So, two politicians in the same week didn't hide behind the counseling card. It seemed too good to be true.

It was. Newsom held out for only five days before he announced that he would be seeking treatment for "alcohol use." His office also said that this "treatment" will not take him away from any time as mayor or as a candidate for re-election. Sounds like pretty serious therapy to me.

I have great respect for alcoholics and other addicts, people with eating disorders, and those with depression and other medical problems who go into rehab or counseling and try to get help. I'm sure it takes great courage to confront these problems. However, in recent years, the "rehab center" has provided a sanctuary for famous people who have messed up. We hear too much about rehab and not enough about responsibility.

Today, people go into rehab or therapy to supposedly help them after they have spewed vile anti-Semitic, racist, or anti-gay remarks. And they go for flirting with minors over the Internet. Then after their 30 days of rehab is up, I guess we're all supposed to forgive them or forget about whatever they did.

This "quick fix" approach is particularly annoying. I'm sure that some of these people could really use psychiatric help. But let them apologize first, take responsibility for what they've done, and then recognize that they may need to be in therapy for a lot longer than a month. When they go into counseling for less time than most of their TV series last, I tend to doubt their sincerity.

Often these stays in rehab or on a psychiatrist's couch are combined with claims of alcoholism or of being mistreated as a child. Again, these are serious things for a person to deal with, but I don't see how, for example, Mel Gibson's being treated for alcoholism could help get rid of his anti-Semitism. The booze didn't put those thoughts in his head. I'm sure we all know people who've gotten drunk who don't suddenly start blaming Jews for all the wars in the world.

In this age of specialization, soon there will probably be separate rehab centers for different "conditions." There will be The Rehab Center for People Who Say Hateful Things, The Rehab Center for People Who Say They Are Addicted To Performing Sexual Acts They Wish They Didn't Do, and, of course, The Rehab Center for Celebrities Who Haven't Had Their Names in the Papers Lately.

As these places proliferate, there will be centers for "regular people," not just celebrities. So, look for people to say things like, "I know I should rinse off my own dishes, but I have a real problem. So, I'm going into rehab for 30 days." Similarly, we may be asked to forgive people who check themselves into places such as, The Rehab Center for People Who Promise to Call Back But Don't, and The Rehab Center for People Who Never Pick Up The Check.

In other words, I have the feeling that running off to rehab is just going to get worse.

I won't be surprised if President Bush and his buddies end up going the rehab route. It just might be his way out of the Iraq mess. In fact, it's perfect for him. Like so many other people these days, he won't really have to apologize or admit he's been wrong. All he and his colleagues will have to do is say they have a problem. Then they'll check into The Rehab Center for Public Officials Who Are Addicted To Exaggerating Dangers to Convince Us To Go to War.

After 30 days, he'll come out, people will forgive him, and he can start in on Iran.

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Lloyd Garver has written for many television shows, ranging from "Sesame Street" to "Family Ties" to "Frasier." He has also read many books, and makes no apologies that some of them were in hardcover.

[dallison7]

Examples? Compare this to what Sen. Trent Lott said at Strom Thurmond's Birhtday party & that Senator Lott stepped down from his position. Congressman (R) Mark Foley & his flirtatious emails to a 17 year old male page vs. Congressman (D) Gerry Eastman Studds who actually had *** with a 17 year old male page.
Posted by Dontbasucka


You're comparing a verbal gaffe to child molesters. Typical of you neocon morons.

[dontbasucka]

Heroic?? Only in this world of BS from communist media players CBS, CNN, ABC, NBC do "all" democrats get a pass and all Republican get the shaft & rug pulled out from under the feet.

Examples? Compare this to what Sen. Trent Lott said at Strom Thurmond's Birhtday party & that Senator Lott stepped down from his position. Congressman (R) Mark Foley & his flirtatious emails to a 17 year old male page vs. Congressman (D) Gerry Eastman Studds who actually had *** with a 17 year old male page. Only one actually stepped down. The Democrat continued on, proud to have slept with a boy, someone's son. Studds was elected 6 more times.

Republicans are scandalous but Democraps are heroic. Rep. William Jefferson, (D)La is under investigation for bribery was caught on videotape accepting $100,000 in $100 bills from an F.B.I. informant whose conversations with the lawmaker also were recorded. He hid the money in his freezer. That's where they found it. Don't we all put that kind of money in our freezer? He was the same one who had the National Guard take him to his residence in a boat after flooding from Katrina. What about the thousands and thousands who had no boats?? Who couldn't check on their property?

It's the OJ Simpson phenomenon. No matter what your ilk does we will continue to support it. That is why most blacks cheered after the not guilty verdict in the murder trial and most whites felt OJ Simpson got away with murder. Only one side is right. Both can't be.

4. Why did you think that the invasion itself would automatically lead to disarmament?

Noone in the US government claimed that they actually knew where those weapons were. The maximum you could get was a vague statement from Rumsfeld: "they are in the Tikrit area". Well, that's a pretty big place for a few hundred mustard gas shells.

Given that noone in the US government explained how exactly they want to find those weapons before a cornered Saddam could either use them or share them with terrorists why did you think that by invading Iraq you could prevent terrorists from getting those weapons either from Saddam himself or by simply stealing them in a country where the central authority would be gone or where lower level officals would now act on their own believing that Saddam would be gone soon?
Remember the looting? 150,000 troops or not you couldn't do anything against it. You didn't know what was happening at most fascilities in Iraq, you didn't know what was looted, who was looting and where the looted stuff ended up.

Imagine if Iraq had not been disarmed in the 90s. What do you think would have happened with those weapons after the invasion started, while major combat operations were still going on and in the days and weeks after Baghdad fell?

You cannot disarm Iraq without knowing where the weapons are. And knowing where the weapons are is not the same as invading Iraq.

NavyChief8,

1. How did any intel you saw prove or at least suggest that Iraq still have deployable chemical weapons?

2. Other than chemical weapons did you see any evidence showing the presence of biological weapons and/or and active nuclear program?
Those two were main pillars of Bush's argument as to why we had to invade Iraq. He didn't just talk about chemical weapons.

3. Why did you think that the mere presence of chemical weapons made a full scale land invasion of Iraq in 2003 necessary?
Iraq was believed to have those weapons for years before 2002. Still, there were very few people (mostly neocons) who wanted Clinton to invade Iraq.
What exactly made Iraq in 2002 such an imminent threat that a decision had to be made about an invasion in early 2003?

[adian1-2009]

I fail to see the heroism in Mr. Biden's words after he said what he said. I would also like to know what's the author's basis to state that Mr. Biden whihsed he did not say what he said. And I would like to know what's the author's basis for his statement that Mr. Biden PRESUMABLY was trying to compliment Obama. Presumptions should have a basis, at least in experience. Experience regarding Mr. Biden tells us different. Maybe the author is young enough not to know about why Mr. Biden had to drop off his ambitions in his first try decades ago. PRESUMABLY he was then trying to compliment the author of the words he wanted to pass as his words? Come on, what in fact happened was that Mr. Biden, for all his poses and center-stage permanent eagerness, revealed himself. Freud has been left behind by modern psychologists and psichiatrists, but what took place is still called a Freudian slip. Heroic or brave is something that a man will never regret having done according to the Nobel Laureate Borges. I fail to see heroism in what Biden said first, nor in what he said afterwards.

[fascistusa]

Man, the Government PROPOGANDA really wants a hero.

You want a HERO???

STAND UP FOR TRUTH, JUSTICE, AND THE _____ WAY!!!

[fredgrad2000]

Boy, Garver just couldn't help himself - just HAD to close out the article with a bash on President Bush; predictable, but sad...

I love how the left and "newly converted left" (see Hillary Clinton and John Edwards - both exceptionally moderate and hawkish when it suits their political needs)have to assert they were lied to or exaggerated to, rather than just stating the truth; that if we were home as winners now, none of them would be commenting on how we got there or whether it was right to go in - they'd just be enjoying the victory as most Americans would (if we had won; Bush's approval rating would be in the 60s and 70's would be saying they agreed with the war and our decision to go in) Wise up lefties - Americans don't agree with your pacifist ways or passive approach to fighting terrorists or rogue states; they just don't like losing - Americans aren't all the sudden morally against the war they supported by 75%+, they're against the fact that we're losing. I find it exceptionally interesting in Hillary's case since it was her husband's administration and his CIA director (George Tenet, who said WMD were a "slam dunk" was a Clinton appointee by the way) that collected the majority of the intel we relied upon to presume Saddam was still harboring WMD...just further proof she will say ANYTHING, hold ANY position, mold to ANY audience to get the Lincoln bedroom back.

[getcentered]

dallison7:

"I'm voting for a Democrat, any Democrat!"

I never thought I would say that, but now I am.

The parties might not have had much difference in the past but right now they most certainly do.

Democrats all the way!

[getcentered]

"How about the rest of you, what are you doing to break our dependency on foreign oil?"

So we have a war in Iraq so Americans can have oil?

Important "neo-con" note:
The United States Industrial complex can compete better with the world if we continue to have cheap oil for our citizens. Forget trying to figure out new methods of creating and storing energy, because it will not be as profitable because the most likely substitutes for oil would be a RENEWABLE energy source.

Anybody checked the price of gas in England or Europe lately? We got way cheaper prices here in the US. Of course in Europe they have universal medical care almost everywhere, but then again why would Corporations want that for Americans?

[sharncedar]

Also thanks to Biden for allowing offshoring to flourish, for creating special visa categories for foregin to come to America while our citizens train them in their own jobs (isnt that industrial espionage, I guess not to PATRIOTIC republicans and Biden). Thansk, Joe biden. A real hero. i will have your face tatooed on my A*S*S

[dallison7]

How about the rest of you, what are you doing to break our dependency on foreign oil?
Posted by NavyChief8

I'm voting for a Democrat, any Democrat!

[sharncedar]

"How about the rest of you, what are you doing to break our dependency on foreign oil? "

I'm giving up my job to foreign offshore workers. That will mean I use less gas, as I WONT HAVE A JOB TO COMMUTE TO. Thanks, America. thansk for the vote of confidence, than you for being patriots, than you for acting with values. Thanks. What a stand-up country, we really stand up for each other. we are really patriotic in this country. Thanks. Thank yuo so much, thanks for caring about our nation and being patriots, I will appreciate it so much EATING GARBAGE OR DYING WITHOUT HEAT.

[getcentered]

My suggestions for ending US involvement in Iraq:

1. Split the country on secretarial lines, split the natural resources evenly.

or:

2. Restate the mission in Iraq to allow the US military to control Iraqi borders and airspace ONLY. Make it so the Iraqis can't say we are the cause for the civil war there, because we would no longer be on the streets killing people.
Then set a timetable for redeployment.

and:
COME TO AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IRAQI'S ARE NOT AMERICANS. They don't have a sense of allegiance to a country and borders. We should not hope to change the lives of everyday Iraq's except to bring peace to a country that we brought war.

Iraqi's are not children they can take care of themselves.
If we leave they will pick up the pieces and try to create NORMAL out of it.

[navychief8]

No, I do not like "the eternal option" as you stated. I was being somewhat sarcastic. I want us out of there as well, but in a way that will not bring chaos to the region, As to the responder who told me to be careful about using "NEOCON" philosophy, until we break our dependence on oil, we will always have to look to the Middle East with a stratigic vision. I want nothing more that for us to have nothing to do with the place. but for now, that is not an option. I ride my bike to and from work to use less gas. How about the rest of you, what are you doing to break our dependency on foreign oil?

[dallison7]

I never said anything about Iraq being a Democracy, I could care less what form of Gvernment they choose. I just want it to be a stable place so that when this is done in two years, four, six, or whatever, we don't have to go back and finish the job. Again and again. And last time I checked, Men and Women were serving in Iraq, not kids. At least give us that respect!
Posted by NavyChief8

It is your leaders who care about the type of government, what exactly do you think we are doing over there? We're trying to prop up a 'Democratic' government. "Two years, four, six, or whatever." So you like the 'eternal' occupation' idea? For your information, I have a 'kid' in the Navy right now.

[navychief8]

getcentered,

to answer you, I have had to bare arms for my country. Fortunately, I have never had to kill anyone. To assume that I blindly follow orders, Sir or ma'am, that is an insult. I am no Bully. Have you ever had to put yourself in a dangerous, possibly lethal situation? I have. It scares the *** out of me every time. And I think about it to this day. But I am proud to serve, and will go back again if and when I am called to do so. Not because I follow blindly, but because I want this to be finished in a manner that my son does not have to go back and finish what my generation started. We are taught to qestion and not follow blindly. And I do know what this war is about. I will say it again, yes, great mistakes have been made in the execution of this conflict, but just leaving is not the answer. What is your suggestion to fix the situation?

[getcentered]

Ah, now I see:

"Vietnam was not sitting on most of the oil in the world"

Be careful when addressing concepts that are "neo-con" in nature.

[dallison7]

Vietnam was not sitting on most of the oil in the world, so leaving that country was not desabalizing to a reqion. Leving Iraq in a state of chaos and vulnerable to Iranian influance, is destabalizing in a huge way.

Posted by NavyChief8

Regardless of how many more of our kids we let die for this obscene quest, when we eventually leave (whether it be today or ten years from now) the results will be the same. Those are tribal people, there is no national idenity! As soon as they feel safe to come outside, they will step out and kill someone from the other tribe. They care nothing about borders and governments. The chaos is in full swing, it has George Bush's name on it, but it is real. Things will never settle down until another strong arm leader like Saddamm gets them under control. So, what is your solution? Should we stay there for eternity, or just until our last brave soldier is killed?

[navychief8]

dallison7 ,

I never said anything about Iraq being a Democracy, I could care less what form of Gvernment they choose. I just want it to be a stable place so that when this is done in two years, four, six, or whatever, we don't have to go back and finish the job. Again and again. And last time I checked, Men and Women were serving in Iraq, not kids. At least give us that respect!

[getcentered]

Ok,

For all who don't understand what part the UN WAS ASKED TO PLAY in the run-up to the Iraq war.

THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS when authorizing Bush to start military operations in Iraq ASKED the UN's help and our CONGRESS ASKED that the UN create a resolution for the use of military force.

DO you get it now?

We asked the UN for a resolution, they didn't give it to us, so there for the President started his war in Iraq anyways, and regardless of the fact CONGRESS was not given what they asked for from the president.

OUR CONGRESS ASKED THE UN TO BE INVOLVED, the UN did not FORCE our hand.