Unity, But Only For A Moment!, September 21, 2006

SPEECHLESS DAYS FOR CHASE DON'T COME ALONG VERY OFTEN. So when they do, you gotta know that something really unusual and unexpected has happened and probably something that isn't likely to happen again anytime soon.

Over the past six years the political landscape in general has been a very contentious one littered with verbal jabs and barbs that would even make Hulk Hogan blush with shame. Today though, we saw something occur that hasn't since the days immediately following 9/11. What we saw today, if only for a brief moment, was UNITY. Unity between the Democratic leadership of this country, President Bush, and the American people. All it took was two days of ugly, saber rattling rhetoric from a third world tinpot dictator named Hugo Chavez.

While Chavez may have received enthusiastic applause during his vile speech at the United Nations, President Bush's most ardent and vocal opponents in Washington were not amused. Nancy Pelosi and Bill Clinton as well as others in the House and Senate were quick to condem Chavez's remarks.

However, some of the most pointed reaction came from Charles Rangel (D) NY who said the following:

"You don't come into my country, you don't come into my congressional district, and you don't condemn my president. If there's any criticism of President Bush, it should be restricted to Americans - whether we voted for him or not." He also said, "I just want to make it abundantly clear to Hugo Chavez or any other president - don't come to the United States and think because we have problems with our president that any foreigner can come to our country and not think that Americans do not feel offended when you offend our Chief of State. Any demeaning public attack against him is viewed by Republicans and Democrats, and all Americans, as an attack on all of us."

A jaw dropping quote to say the least from one of President Bush's most vocal opponents. It is even more dramatic when you see the video and it's a reason for hope too. Even though we may have extremely heated and vocal disagreements about issues we face as a nation, today we learned that even the most diverse among us can still come together and stand as one when the need arises.

More reaction the Chavez remarks: http://www.topix.net/content/cbs/2091527590412076825024386039723427840723 http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060921/pl_nm/venezuela_usa_spat_dc_1 http://newsmax.com/archives/ic/2006/9/21/135053.shtml?s=ic http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,215042,00.html http://www.crosswalk.com/news/1427352.html

Tomorrow things will most likely go back to politics as usual. Today though, for the briefest of moments, we got to once again experience some semblence of national pride and unity without having to endure a terrorist attack or natural disaster. Considering the past six years, it was almost enough leave one speechless, don't you think?