My father, who lived through World War Two, always thought Hogan’s Heroes was disrespectful and frivolous. It didn’t take the war seriously. But I have always had a soft spot for literature and film that makes light of war. Whether it was M*A*S*H, Dr. Strangelove, or Catch-22, I like to see war portrayed as absurd. Even when it is justified, it is absurd. Many Vietnam movies tackle the issue, none more poignantly than Apocalypse Now. I think we have a real life example that speaks volumes in today’s Washington Post. This could be straight out of Joseph Heller. It relates an incident that occurred during a congressional delegation consisting of Reps. Ellen Tauscher of California, Jim Moran of Virginia, and Jon Porter of Nevada.

At one point, the three were trying to discuss the state of Iraqi security forces with Iraq’s national security adviser, Mowaffak al-Rubaie, but the large, flat-panel television set facing the official proved to be a distraction. Rubaie was watching children’s cartoons.

When Moran asked him to turn it off, Rubaie protested with a laugh and said, “But this is my favorite television show,” Moran recalled.

Porter confirmed the incident, although he tried to paint the scene in the best light, noting that at least they had electricity.

“I don’t disagree it was an odd moment, but I did take a deep breath and say, ‘Wait a minute, at least they are using the latest technology, and they are monitoring the world,’ ” Porter said. “But, yes, it was pretty annoying.”

Yesterday, I wrote about Porter’s assertion that a withdrawal from Iraq will cause $9/gallon gas. Rep. Porter seems intent on making a total fool out of himself. In fact, he’s quickly becoming as ridiculous as Major Major.

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