John, Kwame and Monica, Meet Ted

Ted Sorensen's new book, Counselor: A Life at the Edge of History, is as delightful as the man himself. (See entry for January 7, 2007.) Yes, it is possible that Sorensen gave too much of his life to one politician. However, his 11 years with Jack Kennedy serve as testament to decency and thoughtfulness in what in his case truly was public service. Sorensen's approach to public life stands in sharp contrast to the now-disgraced former Senator John Edwards, indicted Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, and former Justice Department political operative Monica Goodling. We are all human beings and we all make mistakes that warrant forgiveness. Yet it is the arrogance, narcissism and duplicity of these three individuals that set them apart from natural human frailty.

Sorensen is a pacifist and was once a conscientious objector. This is a difficult and even courageous position that repeatedly haunted him throughout his career. I am sure Sorensen would support those of us who believe that two-year national service should be mandatory for all young men and women with non-military options such as the Peace Corps and City Year. Just as he registered with the military medical service - and those guys are on the front lines without weapons - Sorensen would likely have readily enlisted in one of the civilian service options had they existed at the time.

Still, he makes a powerful point that is too often missed by folks who only think of the military in one, stereotypical way - war. No organization has done more to create economic opportunity, train and educate, develop leadership skills, and send young men and women into the mainstream than the U.S. military. Besides, the last people who want to wage war are those who actually risk losing their lives or limbs. Sorensen's stated regard for Generals Eisenhower, Maxwell Taylor and Wes Clark as well as Admiral Elmo Zumwalt was that they knew the folly of war and sought first to exercise all options short of outright war to achieve peaceful resolution. It is arguably true that we would not be here today had Jack Kennedy listened to General Curtis "Bombs Away" LeMay's advice to bomb Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Yes, LeMay was a Dr. Strangelove character who was the exception rather than the rule, having observed countless flag and general officers for many years.

p.s. Mississippi Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Ronnie Musgrave bellowed the other day that he is "Pro Life and Pro Gun" without a hint of intended humor or irony at such an absurd statement.