Serviced

Just the other day Nettertainment endorsed Rudy Giuliani for the Republican Presidential nomination, which came several weeks after endorsing Mitt Romney for the same. While we look forward to endorsing more of these brilliant GOP candidates for the same nomination, events from today continue to reinforce the first of our endorsements. Mitt really is "the bomb!"

Today at a forum in Iowa when asked by Rachel Griffiths (read her dailykos diary about the event HERE) whether any of his 5 sons is serving in the military and if not, how they intend to, Mitt said the following:

"The good news is that we have a volunteer Army and that's the way we're going to keep it," Romney told some 200 people gathered in an abbey near the Mississippi River that had been converted into a hotel. "My sons are all adults and they've made decisions about their careers and they've chosen not to serve in the military and active duty and I respect their decision in that regard."

He added: "One of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping me get elected because they think I'd be a great president."

Good comparison, Mitt! Your next generation of chickenhawks compared to men and women serving in uniform in Iraq right now. You know, soldiers like these.

Romney's sons sure look healthy enough, and the right age. They even have their own blog for him (service!). But, let's face it, Mitt as Chief Executive would be such a gift to the nation, we should thank him for having others serve in their place, whether fathers or mothers, too. It's kinda like back in the U.S. Civil War, when rich folks could buy their way out of serving:

The Union established a draft with the 1863 Enrolment Act. Section 13 allowed draftees to avoid service by paying a $300 commutation fee or by hiring a substitute. The commutation rule was abandoned the following year, but substitutions continued for the duration of the war.

Mitty's campaign claimed that the quote was taken out of context. Judge for yourself. But was it really smart for them to ask that the whole transcript be considered?

"It’s remarkable how we can show our support for our nation and one of the ways my sons are showing support for our nation is helping to get me elected, because they think I’d be a great president. My son, Josh, bought the family Winnebago and has visited 99 counties, most of them with his three kids and his wife. And I respect that and respect all of those in the way they serve this great country."

He's right about the out-of-context thing. The context, as with his fellow service-dodging Republican George W. Bush, is wealth.

A vote for Mitt is a vote for privilege. And narcissism, on the personal level and, per his own words, as a family trait.

I'm sure the Romneys know all about servants.

I mean, service.