Politicians Poach Credit for the Bravery of Other Men

by Will Grigg
Jul. 14, 2013

Just as the government doesn’t produce any of the wealth it plunders, politicians do not display any of the valor they celebrate. This fact is illustrated by today’s memorial service in Prescott, Arizona to honor the 19 firefighters who were killed on June 30 while battling a hugely destructive wildfire.

Among the thousands of people to attend the service are Senators John McCain and Jeff Flake, Governor Jan Brewer, and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, all of whom are natives of Arizona and thus have a reason to be there. Unfortunately, the clownish figure known as Vice President Biden was offered a chance to speak at the event as well, which means that the event, and most of the town of Prescott, were encased in an iron dome of security that disrupted the daily affairs of the productive people who live nearby.

Just as infuriating is the fact that the security procedures meant that many people who knew the fallen firefighters -- who had grown up with them, gone to school with them, worshipped alongside them – weren’t able to attend the service. Their desire to pay respect to people they loved was sacrificed on the altar of a foolish politician’s desire to bathe himself in the reflected glory of brave men.