Hannity KO'd into Silence

It would've been great, perfect for the approaching summer festivities. Think of a more publicized version of dropping the town blowhard into the dunking tank with a softball. I suppose Sean Hannity's excuse for not allowing himself to be waterboarded will be, "But, but... I'm not a terrorist!"

Well, the same would apply to in all likelihood most of the poor bastards whom we've waterboarded countless hundreds of times.

In case some of you don't already know, MSNBC political pundit/sportscaster Keith Olbermann got wind of Sean Hannity boasting to actor Charles Grodin on Fox last month that he'd gladly allow himself to be waterboarded and that he'd even do it for the troops' families.

Olbermann then went on Countdown and offered to donate to the troops' families $1000 for every second Hannity survived waterboarding, doubling the ante if Hannity would admit that he "feared for his life."

This would be a golden opportunity for Hannity to show that he's every bit the manly, strapping conservative badass that he portrays himself from the safe confines of his Fox "News" sound stage. But I think we all know that Olbermann will never even have to reach for his wallet or checkbook. Because, to date, Hannity is ignoring KO's challenge. Olbermann put the pressure on him, saying recently, "I don't think he has the courage to even respond to this — let alone do it."

This isn't as much of a challenge as it would appear, although Hannity's being forced by Olbermann to put his money where his big mouth is. Because if Hannity does the unexpected and submits himself to this torture, he'll be able to tap out and walk away from it all whenever he feels like it.

There will be none of the terror that was faced by the people whom we have waterboarded over the decades except for whatever terror that Hannity will impose upon himself as he'd approach the board and jug of water. Those other poor bastards, guilty or no, never had the opportunity to tap out. Their waterboarding didn't even afford them the satisfaction that their torture benefited military families.

In fact, this would be one of the first cases in recorded history of waterboarding actually benefiting someone in a tangible way. Because it sure hasn't given us back our Constitutional protections and civil liberties ripped off from us by the USA PATRIOT Act. It sure hasn't made our nation safer and it damned sure hasn't make our troops any safer should they get grabbed by al Qaeda terrorists in the future.

Sean Hannity could singlehandedly make waterboarding something that could actually help people. But it's moot. Hannity will not take up Olbermann on his offer. He will ignore it and pretend it's not worth his time to even respond to it.

Hannity is your old neighborhood schoolyard bully only better dressed and with no need to steal your lunch money. He has toadies in the form of producers and security details because he's too much of a moral and physical coward to impose his will personally.