Erroneously attributed to Thomas Jefferson, these intrepid words were written in Andrew Jackson's personal diary; the night before the most famous battle of the War of 1812: the Battle of New Orleans; where "Old Hickory's" rousing bravery set the tone for a makeshift 4,000-man "ragtag" army- enabling them to decisively defeat 10,000 British regulars (redcoats)  - winning one of the most one-sided victories ever recorded.

In essence, the quote describes one of the rare foibles of human nature: courage is contagious. It stirs the "fires within." And conversely, cowardice is perhaps one of the most repugnant, reviled traits any human being can demonstate.

After all, who wants to be called a chicken? How many Civil War casualties stood firm in the face of devastating, rifled-musket fire? - not wanting to embarrass the folks back home as "cowards."

And by the same token; why is John F. Kennedy the most beloved, sorely-missed president of the last century? The man had COURAGE - being America's only President to have won the Congressional Medal of Honor. (Teddy Roosevelt was awarded one in 2001 posthumously)

But what if there existed a "Congressional Medal of DISHONOR?

Would not every Republican in Washington DC be eminently qualified? Is there any ONE of them in the entire lot that has backbone enough to stand up to the non-stop attacks aimed at them from the democratic Left; and from Maxine Waters in particular?

In fact, was it not the beloved Ms. Waters, only a few months ago, who brashly called out the GOP - saying..."The Tea party can go to hell!" Despite this embarrassing quote being played endlessly on every major news outlet, not ONE conservative had courage enough to answer back!

NOT ONE!

And now, here she goes again...calling Eric Cantor and John Boehner..."demons."

Predictably, their reply: stone silence! But does not silence imply consent? Are these not Washington's two leading Republicans?

And given this; what does it say about the rest of the party? Are they not cowards all? - having taken the attitude..."the hell with the country...cover thyself first. I'm not risking my cushy job (and pension), just because some lunatic democrat can't shut up."

"Just let it blow away."

But sorry, all you chicken-hearted, Washington RINOs. Inflammatory rhetoric like this doesn't just "go away." Silence is a form of appeasement - implying consent. And appeasement is provocative. It invites further attack.

Be that as it may, when the Democrats realized early-on that indeed, the Republicans were afraid to call out Obama, after he fired Richard Waggoner as CEO of GM, it was like a political dam had burst at its foundation.

Obama began running roughshod over the Constutition. He brazenly appointed OPENLY leftist judges, czars, bureaucrats, and advisors, without nary a peep from any one from the Right; except for an occasional murmur from Jim DeMint (and now, Allen West).

Then, in perhaps one of the most openly-brazen challenges to the honor and integrity of Republicans everywhere, Florida democrat Congressman Allen Grayson stood up impudently on the House floor - shouting brashly..."The Republican plan for healthcare reform? DIE QUICKLY. The republicans want you all to die quickly, America!"

Again, the Republican reply? NOTHING!

Make no mistake fellow Americans. After the GOP bigwigs were too chicken to stand up to Grayson, or call him out for the boldface lie he was promulagating, did that not encourage Pelosi, Reid, Schumer, Weiner et al., to step on the gas? - realizing that Obama's health reform travesty could indeed stand a "better than even-money" chance of passing, given the GOP's aversion of a knock-down, drag-out, political dogfight?

Indeed, like a coward on the front lines who stays hidden in a foxhole, did the Republicans ALL not cop the attitude.."I'll just keep my head down until the shooting subsides." Better to come out alive than die (politically) for the country."

Incredibly, when Joe Wilson (the one man with courage) actually called out Obama for lying about aliens not being covered under Obamacare (they are), he was immediately attacked by members of his OWN PARTY - forcing him to apologize.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

Unfearing of any REAL opposition, Obama daily dictates what he will do without Congress, and then he does it: brash enough to the point where he DIRECTLY humiliated Paul Ryan of Wisconsin - ridiculing him viciously (and publicly) for attempting to propose a sensible budget.

Again; how did Ryan react in front of a national media audience? He sat there! The silence of the lambs. He did nothing. He said little afterwards, other than accusing Obama of playing "partisan politics."

So is it any wonder that Obama makes unconstitutional recess appointments? How about his radical issuance of executive orders? Or Obama acting above the Law; plus all the inane, insane democratic spending proposals. The Illegal, under-the-table loans to green energy companies. Obama, living in his own, self-created Washington fiefdom; all the while, tweaking the noses of the likes of McConnell, Boehner, Cantor, and McCarthy - tacitly daring them to stop him.

Which is why we are fast-approaching anarchy; as chicken-hearted Republicans timidly ignore the one, "Sword-of-Damocles" remedy that the Founders had so cleverly and intuitively written into our Constitution...the Articles of Impeachment.

But afraid of being called "racists", House Republicans cower like slinky little mice in dark corners - bleating helplessly..."We only control one-half of one-third of the government, oh woe is us."

Yeah, they're fighters, these Washington Republicans - fighting to get out of the way of the line of fire; from the likes of Obama, Schumer, Durban, Reid, Pelosi; and all the rest - including the obligatory, bi-monthly, anti-Republican rant from Maxine Waters - unfearing of any reprisal.

Meanwhile, the Washington Republicans are content to just, "Let it all pass. Let it all blow over. It's too close to election time to start any trouble."

 www.keenobserver.blogtownhall.com