Dick Cavett, Mr. Droll himself, has decided to jump on the snark bandwagon with regard to General Petraeus’ appearance, both physically and uniformally, before Congresss this past week.
I can’t look at Petraeus — his uniform ornamented like a Christmas tree with honors, medals and ribbons — without thinking of the great Mort Sahl at the peak of his brilliance. He talked about meeting General Westmoreland in the Vietnam days. Mort, in a virtuoso display of his uncanny detailed knowledge — and memory — of such things, recited the lengthy list (”Distinguished Service Medal, Croix de Guerre with Chevron, Bronze Star, Pacific Campaign” and on and on), naming each of the half-acre of decorations, medals, ornaments, campaign ribbons and other fripperies festooning the general’s sternum in gaudy display. Finishing the detailed list, Mort observed, “Very impressive!” Adding, “If you’re twelve.”
Link: http://cavett.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/11/memo-to-petraeus-crocker-more-laughs-please/?em&ex=1208145600&en=3fed363acbeb311a&ei=5087%0Ahttp://
For some pathetic reason, all these leftwingnutbags have an anal fixation with the General’s rack of ribbons. For one thing, it’s Army regulation to wear the decorations and awards you’ve earned, on Dress Greens, regardless of where you are.
Prissies like Cavett hate Soldiers, especially those who’ve spent a lifetime at the service of their nation, and in harm’s way. Feeling inadequate and resentful must be an awful thing for those who didn’t have what it took to enlist in the military.
Cavett was one of those kids who got beat up on the playground and stuffed into lockers in highschool. Insulting people far better than he, makes him feel better about himself.
Hey Dick, leave the heavy lifting to Steven Colbert.