“Traitors,” he began at the end of his New Rules segment, “don’t get to question my patriotism.” Over his left shoulder, images of the President and Vice President. On his face, an expression both determined and pissed off.
Beloved and behated by people across the political spectrum, Maher is never unwilling to speak his controversial peace. And that’s what I like about him. It’s almost the only thing I like about him. I think he’s an extreme left-wing tree-hugger who espouses basically that mankind return to the Stone Age or the earth will die. His comedy is often cheap and opportunist.
But I had a sort of Al Gore moment, watching Maher’s closing segment. Gore won my admiration with this speech, which I called at the time one of the greatest speeches in history. Maher won it last night with this (my own transcription)…
Traitors don’t get to question my patriotism. What could be less patriotic than constantly screwing things up for America? Not to generalize, but the twenty-nine percent of people who still support President Bush are the ones who love to pronounce themselves more patriotic than the rest of us.
[…snip…]
Indeed, the party that flatters itself that they protect America better is the party that has exhausted the military, left the ports wide open, and purposefully outed a CIA agent, Valerie Plame.
That’s not treason anymore? Outing a spy? Did I mention it was one of our spies? And how despicable that Bush’s lackies attempted to diminish this crime by belittling her service, like she was just some chick who hung around the CIA.
[…snip…]
No. Big lie. Valerie Plame was the CIA’s operational officer in charge of counter-proliferation. Which means she tracked loose nukes. So when Bush said … that his absolute number one priority was preventing terrorists from getting loose nukes, okay, that’s what she worked on. That’s what she devoted her life to. Staying undercover for twenty years. Maintaining two identities every goddamn day. This is *extraordinary * service to your country.
[…snip…]
George Bush likes to claim that he doesn’t question his critics’ patriotism, just their judgment. Well, let me be the first of your critics, Mr. President, to question your judgment and your patriotism. Because let’s not forget why they did it to her. Because Valerie Plame was married to this guy, Joe Wilson, who the Bush people hated. Because he busted them on one of their bullshit reasons for invading Iraq.
He was sent to the African country of Niger to see if Niger was selling nuclear fuel to Iraq. They weren’t. It was bullshit, and he said so… Valerie Plame’s husband told the truth about their lie, so they were willing to jeopardize an entire network of spies to ruin her life. Wow. Even the mob doesn’t go after your family.
Mark Twain said, “Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it.” And I say Valerie Plame is a patriot, because she spent her life serving her country. Scooter Libby is not, because he spent his life serving Dick Chaney. Valerie Plame kept her secrets. The Bush administration leaked like the plumbing at Walter Reed.Well. When you’re right, you’re right, even when you’re Bill Maher.