Feller Proud to Serve in ‘Time of Need’

I grew up in the generation after Bob Feller; I knew about his exploits because the strikeout king of the 70’s (and beyond), Nolan Ryan, was often compared to him. So I didn’t full appreciate his impact in baseball and beyond. But there’s this:

A lot of folks say that had I not missed those almost four seasons to World War II — during what was probably my physical prime — I might have had 370 or even 400 wins. But I have no regrets. None at all. I did what any American could and should do: serve his country in its time of need. The world’s time of need.

A lot of professional baseball players served in WWII, making the same kind of personal sacrifice Feller mentions here (including Joe D, to whom I mean no disrespect by lining out his name), but his passing and the circumstances of his enlistment (exempt from service via the draft) is in stark relief to what I’m seeing around me lately. Personal sacrifice to serve your country in a time of need? I don’t think holding the political process hostage in order to extend tax cuts to the richest 2% of the population qualifies.

My attitude isn’t helped by the fact that the “we all must tighten our belts” rhetoric has already hit me; there will be no cost-of-living adjustment for federal employees. I’ll manage, though, and the sentiment is right — everyone needs to do their part. But that actually means everyone. What bothered me was the process, and the president giving this concession before any negotiations had taken place. And then we see the right’s blustering about cutting the deficit being tossed aside faster than a dress on prom night. As Al Franken noted, it feels like the president punted on first down.