Who Said It and When?

Today's quiz: Which prominent politician said the following, and when did he say it?

As a matter of general principle, I believe there can be no doubt that criticism in time of war is essential to the maintenance of any kind of democratic government ... too many people desire to suppress criticism simply because they think that it will give some comfort to the enemy to know that there is such criticism. If that comfort makes the enemy feel better for a few moments, they are welcome to it as far as I am concerned, because the maintenance of the right of criticism in the long run will do the country maintaining it a great deal more good than it will do the enemy, and will prevent mistakes which might otherwise occur.

Okay, any guesses? How about Ted Kennedy talking about Bush's failed Iraq war? No. How about William Fulbright talking about Nixon and the Vietnam War? No.

Give up? Well it was Mister Republican himself, Robert Taft, conservative senator from Ohio, and the date was December 19, 1941.

Yes, 1941. Just a little over two weeks after Pearl Harbor.

Now fast forward to 2005 and Baby Doc proclaiming constantly that those who criticize him (and his failed policies) are giving aid and comfort to the enemy. Aid and comfort to the enemy. Think about that phrase -- it's the constitutional definition of treason.

So my fellow traitors, someone ought to throw that quote up to Sean Hannity, ask him if he agrees with it, and then ambush him with the source. That's something that he loves to do to nearly every liberal that shows up on his show (and amazingly, seems to catch them more often than not). It's about time we fight fire with fire. Will one of you talking heads from the left ambush the fucker already?