A decoding of Walsh’s statements

I can’t figure out if Joe Walsh is just not very smart or if he suffers from “foot-in-mouth” disease. Or does he think we’re so dumb that we don’t understand that he’s talking to his base in code?

Some recent examples: In June, he said the president was too stupid to know what a tyrant is (code: who does this uppity Kenyan think he is anyway?); in July, he criticized Tammy Duckworth for openly discussing her injuries received in Iraq (code: she’s not playing fair, and if she keeps this up, I’m going to take my ball and go home); earlier this month he said he’d give Mr. Obama advice by patting him on the head and saying, “son, son, son ...” (code: “boy, boy, boy” ...); also this month, he pretty much slandered every God-fearing Muslim in Illinois (yes, Joe, they pray to the same god you do) by using Michele Bachmann/Joseph McCarthy tactics to paint the whole Muslim community as a breeding ground for terrorists (code: get your guns, boys, and meet me down at the mosque!).

I hear these things and I keep thinking, “Anyone want to trade congressmen?” but then I remind myself that for the first five years of his adult life he studied acting under Lee Strasberg, and that he’s just practicing his lines. I really, really wish he’d made it on Broadway! On second thought, he’d fit in better in Hollywood. They’re all on a different planet there.

Tom Dillivan

Schaumburg