A Tale of Two Leaders

This article describes the views of two very different leaders. One will probably go on to be a rabid supporter of the next American war while the other will be labelled a liberal pussy.

On Dec. 1, Alex Cornell du Houx, a 21-year-old Bowdoin College senior from Solon will head to Iraq for approximately 10 months as part of the Alpha 1st Company Battalion of the Marines.

Instead of staying up late to finish off college papers and cram for finals, Cornell du Houx will use his training and experience as a 0351 Assault Man to shoot rockets, deal with demolitions and work the Javelin Missile System.

"I am not nervous whatsoever. We are well trained and we're ready to go," Cornell du Houx said about the news of his unit's impending deployment to Iraq.

Now you'd think those 'pussy' liberals would be telling this guy he's doing the wrong thing and those 'patriotic' conservatives would be praising him, right? Guess again...

Turns out the fellow heading off to war is a liberal leader, who's parents are against the war.

The senior is most well known on the Bowdoin College campus in his role as development director for the College Democrats of America and as co-president of the Maine College Democrats. Under his leadership, the organization in Maine has grown from two chapters to 23.

And how does this 'pussy' liberal feel about going to war?

"Regardless of my opinions regarding the war in Iraq, it is my duty as a U.S. Marine to serve and I am ready and willing to do my job to its fullest extent," he said.

But what does his counterpart at his college have to say about this? I'm sure those 'patriotic' conservatives wouldn't put partisanship above patriotism...would they?

Others on campus, particularly his political opponents in the Bowdoin College Republicans, feel differently about his service. Daniel Schuberth, a leader of the Bowdoin College Republicans and College Republican national secretary, said, "I applaud Mr. Houx for his service, just as I applaud any other soldier who is brave enough to take up arms in defense of his country.

Sort of lukewarm praise there. Mr. Houx is being heaped upon a pile of 'any other soldier' and not even any other American soldier, just 'any other soldier'. Kinda begrudging praise isn't it? This guy's probably going to be a Senator someday. But there is a but. You can just feel it coming...

I find it troubling, however, that one of the most vocal opponents of our president, our country and our mission in Iraq has chosen to fight for a cause he claims is wrong. Mr. Houx's rhetoric against the war on terror places him in agreement with the most radical fringes of the Democratic Party, and I am left to question his logic and motivation."

Damn us "most radical fringes"!!! See how the right wing bullshit works? Anyone who disagrees with them is part of the "fringe". Sorry, wingnuts, but you guys are definately FUCKING FRINGE FRUITCAKES!!! And you wouldn't know the first damn thing about "logic" (still believe Saddam was the cause of 9-11?) and "motivation" (still don't think cronyism had anything to do with Halliburton getting a no-bid contract?).

Maybe he's never heard of Duty, Honor, Country. I mean really heard of them beyond their use as right wing buzzwords for "Support whatever the Leader does."

Duty, honor, country
Paul Franco, one of Cornell du Houx's government and legal studies professors, disagrees.

"He exemplifies democratic citizenship at its best," Franco said of Cornell du Houx. "Though he opposes Bush's war policies, he still feels obligated to fulfill his duty. ... This is the exact opposite of what is done by those supporters of the war who would never dream of fighting in it themselves or sending their own children to fight in it."

Here's to hoping that the politically motivated leadership over in Iraq doesn't intentionally get him killed. And no, I'm not kidding.