Straitjacket Hunter

In a recent Los Angeles Times piece, Rosa Brooks writes that it is time to Straitjacket Bush:

The president's warmongering remarks on the Iranian threat suggest he is psychotic. Really.

Forget impeachment.

Liberals, put it behind you. George W. Bush and Dick Cheney shouldn't be treated like criminals who deserve punishment. They should be treated like psychotics who need treatment.

Because they've clearly gone mad.

Well, it is time to straitjacket Duncan Hunter. In his quest to out do others in The Continuing GOP Presidential Competition To Be Worse Than Bush, Congressman Hunter has come up with a cunning plan, which was released in this press statement (from his House website):

GO TO WALTER REED AND BETHESDA FOR NEW STATE DEPT PERSONNEL

U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA), ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee, will be meeting with President Bush today regarding his Wounded Warrior proposal to Congress. During today’s meeting, Congressman Hunter intends to also suggest that State Department personnel who refuse deployment to Baghdad be replaced with wounded veterans at Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals.

“When the State Department appears to be filled with reluctant personnel, let’s turn to those who have bravely followed the American flag in the most dangerous of assignments,” said Congressman Hunter. “The U.S. Marines, soldiers, airmen and Navy personnel presently recovering at our national military hospitals have all the character required by the Department of State. They are brave, loyal, intelligent and fiercely determined to win the War on Terror.

“They are veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters and you can be sure that when called on for difficult assignments, they won’t convene a town meeting to protest. Especially for those whose mobility has been impaired by wounds, State Department positions, not only in Baghdad but around the world, will provide excellent jobs as well as availing our nation of their enormous talent.”

Hunter will recommend a team of State Department recruiters be immediately sent to Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals, as well as posting application forms on relevant employment websites.

“Let’s replace these reluctant Nellies with America’s finest citizens,” concluded Hunter. “Our wounded warriors will serve our country efficiently, effectively and with undying patriotism.”

Sure, demented Duncan, let's place Iraq and Afghan war veterans suffering from PTSD and "whose mobility has been impaired by wounds" back into a war zone as part of the diplomatic service in which they have no background. Perhaps, you should demonstrate your leadership by immediately assuming the DCM of the US embassy in Baghdad and promise to maintain a minimum 5-year tenure.