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A Very Dangerous Democrat
An Encounter with Senator Charles Schumer
By ALAN SINGER
Referred By: http://www.counterpunch.com/singer12222004.html
Published: December 24, 2004
On Sunday, December 19, 2004, I had a startling exchange with New York
Senator Charles Schumer at the Hofstra University graduation. Schumer
has a habit of appearing at graduation at the last minute uninvited,
speaking to the audience about his experience as a recent college
graduate, and then immediately escaping from the podium. I hoped to speak with
him on a number of occasions but have never had the opportunity. This
year he arrived while faculty were lining up to enter the arena. I
approached him and asked, "Are you reconsidering your position on the war in
Iraq now that the justifications presented by the Bush administration
have all proved to be false?" He immediately became agitated and
starting shouting aggressively. I will paraphrase the exchange as best as I
can.
At first, Senator Schumer demanded to know what I would do. I replied,
"The Bush administration policies have destabilized that entire region
of the world. I would work with European allies to find a way to leave
immediately."
He accused me of being a "fool," and stated that if the United States
withdrew from Iraq it would be subject to a terrorist attack worse than
9/11 during the next three years.
I responded that I thought the country was at even greater risk because
of the occupation and wanted to know if he would resign his Senate seat
if the United States was attacked anyway.
Now Schumer shouted "I know people like you." He accused me of being
responsible for the destruction of the Democrat Party and said "with your
ideas you should not be allowed to be a teacher" (He really said
this!).
When I replied that he didn't know who I was or what I thought , he
kept on shouting, "I know your type."
At this point security guards started to come between us, but Schumer
signaled them to back away. Now he kept on repeating, "I was in the
anti-war movement during Vietnam."
I said, "That was because you didn't want to be drafted. Is your
daughter going to join the National Guard so she can serve in Iraq?" At that
point he turned and walked away.
I confess, I did not anticipate Schumer's aggressiveness, arrogance,
level of nastiness, impulsiveness and closed mindedness. This is a man
considered a liberal and he has Presidential ambitions. Anti-war groups
have tried to meet with him hoping to sway his views. There is nothing
to sway here. He is a dangerous man.
Alan Singer teaches at Hofstra University. He can be reached at:
CATAJS@Hofstra.edu
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