In Defense of Michelle Bachmann

Representative Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) has come under fire for saying on MSNoBamaC that Barack Obama could be considered to be "anti-American" for his associations and potentially his policies. The blowhard host of Hardball, Chris Matthews, pressed the point and, at least in the context of the program, got Representative Bachmann to extend her sentiment to other liberals in the Congress. (See Power Line for details)

She's now backed off the statement a bit. No surprise there, since the party line is "we don't question patriotism, we question judgement."

So, are our Liberal opponents anti-American or just judgementally challenged? Let's let them speak for themselves:

[Our military is] air raiding villages and killing civilians...
-- Senator Barack Obama (D-IL)

I believe ... that this war is lost, and this surge is not accomplishing anything, as is shown by the extreme violence in Iraq this week.
-- Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)

Our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them, and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood.
-- Representative John Murtha (D-PA), May 17, 2006; the US Marines he accused of murder in the Iraqi town of Haditha were later completely exonerated; Rep. Murtha has yet to apologize.

[In reference to the Iraq surge] The gains have not produced the desired effect, which is the reconciliation of Iraq. This is a failure. This is a failure.
-- Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)

This war has been a grotesque mistake that has diminished our reputation in the world and has not made America safer.
-- Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) (this from over 4 years ago BTW, still no attacks on US soil since 9/11)

I believe the president has no strategy for success in Iraq. His plan is to muddle through, and hand the problem off to his successor.
-- Senator Joe Biden (D-DE), April 2008

And I could go on, and on, and on. So, do these and other statements rise to the level of "anti-Americanism"? To quote:

Whoever, owing allegiance to the United States, levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere, is guilty of treason and shall suffer death, or shall be imprisoned not less than five years and fined under this title but not less than $10,000; and shall be incapable of holding any office under the United States.

In case you don't know, that is the text of 18 USC 2381. All of the Left's anti-American, anti-Military statements rise to the level of "aid and comfort" to our enemies - especially when our enemies quote the Democratic Party and its members when they spout off with their own anti-American scree. When you combine that with their willingness to associate and sit on boards with known domestic terrorist murderers like Bill Ayers - self-confessed purveyors and supporters of insurrection and sedition - then this is not a judgement issue.

It is an issue of patriotism, and the seeming way these individuals trample on their oaths to the Constitution of the United States.

There is a very good reason why, when the oath to the Constitution is administered, that it says: "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic."