Heeding Otter and Boon

Some Democrats listened to my advice yesterday, I'm happy to see.  Regarding Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez' undiplomatic diatribe against President Bush I wrote:

I would hope that those on the left would follow at a minimum the advice of Boon and Otter in National Lampoon's Animal House.

Boon: A vicious mother, isn't he?                
Otter: He can't do that to our pledges President.                
Boon: Only we can do that to our pledges President.

Charlie Rangel, D-NY, come on down: (hat tip, Karol)

WASHINGTON - I want to express my extreme displeasure with statements by the President of Venezuela attacking U.S. President George Bush in such a personal and disparaging way during his remarks at the United Nations General Assembly.

It  should be clear to all heads of government that criticism of Bush Administration policies, either domestic or foreign, does not entitle them to attack the President personally.

George Bush is the President of the United States and represents the entire country. Any demeaning public attack against him is viewed by Republicans and Democrats, and all Americans, as an attack on all of us.

Exactly right, sir.  And Nancy Pelosi, D-CA, belly up to the bar:

"Hugo Chavez fancies himself a modern day Simon Bolivar but all he is an everyday thug," House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said at a news conference, referring to Chavez' comments in a U.N. General Assembly speech on Wednesday.

"Hugo Chavez abused the privilege that he had, speaking at the United Nations," said Pelosi, a frequent Bush critic. "He demeaned himself and he demeaned Venezuela."

I disagree with these individuals frequently on policy, but, like Otter and Boon point out, Chavez can't do that to our president.  Only we can do that to our president.

9/22/06 0900: Jay Tea at Wizbang discusses the Boston Globe's treatment of Chavez this morning, wondering why they haven't objected to the overtly Christian religious backdrop to his comments.