Now I understand what a leader is.

[Qutzupalotl]

I used to think a leader was someone who ordered people around. That the world was simply made up of people who gave orders, and people who followed them. How wrong I was.

A leader is someone who sets an example, who strives to do the right thing in every situation, and so inspires each of us to do our best. A leader sets the tone not with mere words, but with actions, by holding himself to a higher standard. That's the kind of leadership that we need in Washington.

By now you've all heard the story of Wesley Clark rappelling down a cliff in Kosovo to rescue a diplomat whose jeep had fallen. He called for a fire extinguisher; there was none; and it was too late to save him. In his book, Clark devotes an entire paragraph to the episode. A Republican would have written several chapters, and starred in the re-enactment for the History Channel.

But it's what Wes left out of the story that is the most telling. In the midst of all the turmoil, he was thoughtful enough to take Joe's wedding ring home to his wife. At the funeral, without a lot of fanfare, he pulled Joe's wife aside, and said, "I have something to give you." Of course, it meant everything to her to have something of Joe's to hold on to. Those are the actions of a compassionate man. A Republican would have held a press conference to present the ring, if he had thought to get it at all.

Actions speak louder than words. We've heard Bush talk the talk. What do you think he'll be able to do against someone who walks the walk?

God bless Wes.

[Jack_Dawson]

1. The Wes Wing

He's the real deal. Got the right stuff. And FoxNews is trying so hard to bury him it's comical.

[Leilani]

6. And CNN

& Wall St Journal

& on & on

[Qutzupalotl]

12. Bill Snyder made the mistake of almost praising Clark.

He said Edwards is a southerner, Kerry is a war hero, Dean's an outsider...Clark has been trying to tell people he's all that and more.

Fortunately, Jeff Greenfield was there to interrupt him and set the record crooked.

[BootinUp]

13. Yea Jeffie was like ..um can I speak to that

After he smeared Clark, he looked so pleased with himself too, (well that'll save my job for another year!)

[Qutzupalotl]

14. Then they cut to Candy Crowley

and she was giggling with glee. She had to hurry to put on her serious face.

It was so obvious. Even Aaron Brown was like...o-kayyy...:shrug:

[Jack_Dawson]

16. LOL - set the record crooked

[adamrsilva]

2. That's awesome

I hope Clark does well.

[Bush loves Jiang]

3. Dare to compare?

* won't even attend a fucking funeral.

[Jerseycoa]

4. Bless Wes

Oh, yes.

[Qutzupalotl]

17. Wes is the Best!

[unblock]

5. nonsense. a leader is

a little more than a kwort.

just my $0.25.

[creativelcro]

7. A leader is a person surrounded by an awesome team of humbler people

[Qutzupalotl]

11. I am humbled to hear his story.

There is so much more I could have done. He makes me want to do better.

[Justice]

8. Wonderful Post

Thank you for posting it today.

[Democrats unite]

9. If you notice the attacks on Clark have been...

much to do about nothing. When all is said and done Wesley Clark is a good, decent, honorable man that they can't find any skeleton's on & it's really beginning to piss them off!

[yankeeinlouisiana]

10. I just finished watching

Gen. Clark's campaign rally and Joe's widow spoke. I never heard that story before. It was very moving. And a very brave and compassionate thing to do.

* would never ever think of something like that.

Wes is great! And so is Gert!

[maddezmom]

15. it was a touching event

His widow was brave just to tell the story. :)

[LandOLincoln]

18. Great post! Just a couple of factual errors or omissions...

Joe Kruzel was a diplomat, and there were two other diplomats (Nelson Drew, Ambassador Robert Frasure) killed in the crash.

Which isn't to say the General wouldn't have rappelled down that cliff if it had been ordinary soldiers in the armored personnel carrier--I'm sure he would have done the same no matter who was in it.

Also, I think it's important to point out that in the paragraph he wrote about the crash, he says absolutely nothing about himself or his heroism. Not one word.

It's former Ambassador Richard Holbrooke in his book To End a War who talks about the tragedy and Clark's response to it. You can read the entire chapter here:

http://63.147.65.175/books/chap134.htm

[Qutzupalotl]

19. Thank you, Linc

I didn't have all the details right. I've corrected what I could before the time limit for editing expired.

The General has a quiet dignity that the Right just doesn't know how to deal with. He's running a positive campaign. He's killing them with kindness. They want to paint him as an egomaniac. Oh yeah, that'll stick. :eyes: The facts tell a very different story.

[Qutzupalotl]

20. Linc...favor please?

You know all the details of the story. Would you mind correcting the text and forwarding to the Clark campaign somehow? Maybe a blog post? I'm afraid I can't do the story justice. Change it all around, however you see fit. I sure as hell don't want any credit for what I wrote.

My God, everything I do pales in comparison to this man.

[LandOLincoln]

21. No credit!?

You silly (& wonderful) person, of course you'll get all the credit.

I suspect we both support the General because, among many other things, he's a man of honor who would never take credit for someone else's achievements. We simply try to live up to that high standard.

And attempting to live up to his standards is what your post was all about. I feel it, but you put it into eloquent words and posted it. There's no earthly way I'd try to pass your words off as my own. :loveya:

[Qutzupalotl]

22. Ahem. I stand corrected.

:yourock:
Thank you for helping with this.

And I like Clark's echo of your sig line:
All Patriot. No Act.

[Qutzupalotl]

23. Kick for the evening crowd

:kick: