One of the Big Lies of this campaign, and an enduring fable of the previous election, is that Republicans are questioning the patriotism of Democrats. I have yet to see any public figure on the Republican side say "Candidate X is unpatriotic."
This is a naked attempt by Dems to insulate themselves from any charge that they're weak on defense. But in what alternative universe is the phrase "weak on defense" equivalent to "unpatriotic"?
Maybe we can start using the same verbal prestidigitation. When Dems attack us on Social Security, we can express shrill indigination at this accusation of being unsociable. Or when we're criticized for our support of Israel, we can denounce the Dems for calling us unleavened. There's no limit to the fictious "mean-spirited" attacks we can be indignant about. Especially once we stop letting reality get in the way.
Like I said, I've never heard any Rs calling Kerry unpatriotic. My own position is this -- Kerry espouses a poisonous political philosophy that's inimical to the founding ideals of this country. How that relates to his patriotism is a question for deeper minds than my own.
Two things:
1. I would, however, question the patriotism of Joseph Biden and Ted Kennedy if their idea of patriotism is evoking images of Vietnam to bolster their depiction of Iraq as a similar quagmire. Don't you think terrorists smile with glee at the sound bites some on the Left are providing them for their own cause?
2. On a lighter note, I was momentarily stumped by your use of "prestidigitation." Thanks to my handy-dandy online dictionary, I soon regained contextual understanding. For any other readers like myself who needed to look up the word, I'll save them the time.
Main Entry: pres·ti·dig·i·ta·tion
Pronunciation: "pres-t&-"di-j&-'tA-sh&n
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from prestidigitateur prestidigitator, from preste nimble, quick (from Italian presto) + Latin digitus finger -- more at DIGIT
: SLEIGHT OF HAND, LEGERDEMAIN
- pres·ti·dig·i·ta·tor /-'di-j&-"tA-t&r/ noun