Guest Post by Morbo
The Carpetbagger has been all over “Rovegate” since it was called the Plame Game. I’ve refrained from writing about it, since the ‘Bagger’s commentary has been so thorough and insightful. (And I’m not just saying that to suck-up because he runs the blog. By the way, has anyone else noticed his rugged good looks and winning personality?)
Anyway, I can keep silent no longer. The right wing’s claim that Karl Rove is a hero who deserves a medal for outing a CIA agent to reporters got me to thinking of other unsung heroes of American history. These are people who, at first glance, might not look like heroes — until, as Paul Harvey says, you know “the rest of the story.”
I’d like to outline a few of these people and discuss why they, like Rove, are tragically overlooked American heroes. I can only hope that someday these folks will get the recognition they deserve for their contributions to this great nation.
Let’s get started:
Benedict Arnold: This gutsy Revolutionary War officer was astute enough to realize that West Point was not a secure military facility. Because no one would listen to him, Arnold took the drastic step of selling West Point’s plans to the British. Sure, it looked like treason at first, but something had to be done to get everyone’s attention. For his efforts, Arnold was forced out of the army and actually had to join the British side! After the war, he had to live in Canada.
Aaron Burr: Appalled by the sickening loss of life caused by silly duels, Aaron Burr decided to teach the nation a lesson by killing the much-loved Alexander Hamilton on the field of honor. Still not done trying to make America a better place, Burr a few years later selflessly set out to help the new nation understand that its borders were too porous by raising a private army and going downriver to seize New Orleans and establish a Mexican empire.
John Wilkes Booth: Booth was smart enough to know that the president’s security was lax. As an actor, he knew that one dramatic act could get everyone’s attention and highlight the dangers of this loose arrangement. Thus, Booth slipped into Abraham Lincoln’s box while he was at the theater and shot him in the head, killing him and proving beyond all doubt that presidents need more guards. Amazingly, the nation refused to recognize this heroic deed and actually had Booth hunted down like a dog!
John Dillinger: People thought their money was safe in banks. Brave John Dillinger knew better. Most banks just weren’t very secure. To demonstrate the dangers of trusting money to banks, Dillinger and his associates embarked on a nationwide educational campaign of going into banks with guns and stealing the money. Was Dillinger thanked for this public service campaign? No! He was killed by the police. But today, thanks to Dillinger’s vision, most banks are much more secure, and federal laws protect your money in case of theft. Yet, incredibly, there are no statues of John Dillinger anywhere in the country!
Robert Hanssen: This whistle-blowing FBI agent became concerned when he realized that Russian KGB double agents secretly working for America were not well concealed. To highlight the problem, Hanssen exposed the agents, leading to their deaths. Instead of being thanked for exposing a dangerous lapse in security, Hanssen was sent to prison!
I’d like to see information about Rove and these other unsung American hero whistle-blowers put into a new Smithsonian Museum right on the National Mall, so future generations will understand the full extent of their sacrifice for our nation. I need your help! Please share your ideas for other honorees in the comments section along with your reasons why they, like Rove, are true American heroes. Thank you, and God bless America.