The "E" Word

I suppose it is gratifying to know that Dick Cheney is meeting some blowback in Utah—Utah!—and at Brigham Young University—BYU!—and I certainly accept just about everything Carpetbagger had to say on the topic (link). But catch this bit (which CP did quote, although he did not dwell on it):

Several students said, for example, that they were appalled at Mr. Cheney’s use of an expletive on the Senate floor in a June 2004 exchange with Senator Patrick J. Leahy, Democrat of Vermont.

Holy ^&%#ing &*$#! Repeal habeas corpus, check. Pillage the national energy inventory, check. Incinerate the Middle East, check, but tell Pat Leahy to “%$# &*$” (or maybe it was “&^ *&^% $%@&!%$&”!)—ooh, Mr. Vice President, this time you’ve gone too far!

They say that Republicans pull their curtains down, and Democrats don’t, but should. “I thought commencement would be a spiritual, uplifting exercise,” one student said. Speaking as one who skipped all his own commencements, I have to admit that there are real differences in style here. These kids are entitled to a “spiritual, uplifting exercise,” if they want one, and I shouldn’t stand in their way. But, “expletive?” Sheesh.

Afterthought; CP ends by declaring that “Cheney is a mendacious clown with a mean streak and a record of incompetence.” Yes, that too.