John B. Judis writes a moving, intense account of the remarkable evolution of Chuck Hagel. Whether one agrees with Hagel or not, he does appear to me to be committed to a wrenching, if sometimes incoherent, process of conscience and judgment. What drives him is not just patriotism, it seems to me, but a long-delayed desire to make sense of his own life and his country's past. He has gotten his fair share of obloquy. But we need more politicians like Hagel.
This article available online at:
http://www.theatlantic.com/daily-dish/archive/2007/06/the-price-for-honesty/227973/
