Updating “Profiles in Courage”
JFK wrote (or had a ghostwriter write for him) a book titled “Profiles In Courage” that described travails of courageous US senators who defied popular opinion to do “the right thing” at the risk of their political career. Thomas Hart Benton, Senator from slavery-supporting Missouri opposed extension of it into the new territories acquired after the Mexican War and lost his seat. Robert Taft of Ohio had the 1948 GOP presidential nomination in the bag until he (correctly) claimed that the Nuremberg Trials were invalid due to the “ex post facto” legal principle dating back to the Magna Carta. 21st century updates to “Profiles” might include John McCain’s “thumbs down” rejection of Trump’s plan to eliminate Obamacare. 20 million now-insured Americans thank you for that, John.
21st century updates would not include Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, MD. Dr Cassidy cast the deciding vote that advanced RFK, Jr’s nomination as HHS Secretary to the Senate floor where it will surely be approved. Apparently, Dr Cassidy was absent that day in Medical School where it was explained that vaccines have saved millions of lives and if they did, in fact, cause autism every schoolchild since the 1950s would be “Rain Man”.
Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar showed more courage than the 53 spineless GOP senators currently in the chamber at last night’s Congressional Press Club Dinner. She quipped, “”What is the difference between Greenland and President Trump?”
“Greenland is not for sale.”
This naturally drew a chorus of boos from a portion of the crowd. The good Senator was prepared with a comeback. “For any Trump administration people out there, you can’t throw eggs at me because of that joke. You can’t because now they are too expensive.”
The 21st century update to “Profiles in Courage” might include Amy’s quips. As Trump’s Crusade to Eliminate DEI moves to place “competent white men” in charge of everything, it takes a woman to publicly stand against the madness. Good for you, Senator Klobuchar. Boo on you, Senator Cassidy.
By Ed Dufton
