I missed this, but I’ve had my head down for a bit exploring some ideas for work over the last few days, but some of you should have heard about Bush’s veto of the SCHIP bill. This program provides health insurance for children when their families cannot afford it. As a decently designed federal program, it is supported by members of Congress from both major parties. To wit, it stands as one of the few pieces of legislation that Republicans haven’t blocked through dishonorable procedural maneuvers or filibusters.

Well, what I didn’t know was that the Democrats had responded to Bush’s public statements with a radio address given by a 12-year old boy who was receiving health care through the state of Maryland through the SCHIP program. The right wing noise machine, from The National Review and Weekly Standard to blogs like Powerline and Michelle Malkin have decided to attack the child by “investigating” him. We can debate the theatrics of having the child give the address, but hurling unfounded accusations at him and his family seems completely over the line. This is a child whose story is worth learning more about, but not without actually doing some reporting. Hurling insults from the comfort of your couch or desk chair is the worst of blogging and participatory media in politics.

Follow the link, be amazed.

And then, call your Congressmen and Senators and make sure they commit to overriding any veto on this bill. The override vote is on October 18th. I know where my reps stand, makes sure you know where your’s do. This is good policy, with the right balance of state and federal involvement, and a program that actually is successful. Only an person ruled by ideology over good government, like George W Bush, could veto this bill.