Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan

It is odd how the political times have brought together two entirely different people, a "Joe the Plumber" and Specialist Kareem R. Khan, of Manahawkin, New Jersey. Each of them has a life story that is now being retold in highly symbolic ways this political season. If you live in a political vacuum here the story.

“Joe the Plumber" is a man who John McCain brought up during the last Presidential debate. McCain apparently vetted "Joe" as much as he did Sarah Palin because his "everyman," it turns out, is not a licensed plumber, does make over a quarter million dollars or have the money to buy a business and would indeed save money under the Obama tax plan as apposed to the McCain plan.

Despite the inconsistencies the two Republican candidates drawn applause from their faithful at the mention of his name while back home Joe complains about the "work" his agent has him doing and how tiring life is now.

Now today we are introduced to Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, 20, a high school graduate who, after the 9/11 attachs enlisted in the army because he wanted to show that not all Muslims were fanatics and that many, like him, were willing to lay their lives down for their country. He enlisted immediately after graduation and was sent to Iraq in July 2006. Specialist Khan was killed a year later when a blast destroyed a house he and members of his division were clearing in Baqouba, Iraq. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

Spf. Khan became front page news today when General Colin Powell remembered his sense of duty and sacrifice when Powell endorsed Senator Obama for President. In repudiating his own party he said, "I have heard senior members of my own (Republican) party drop the suggestion, "He (Obama) is a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists ... we have got to stop polarizing ourselves in this way ... I'm troubled about the fact that, within the party, we have these kinds of expressions."

It can not be denied that both “Joe,” whose real name is Sam, and Kareem are Americans Why do some celebrate Joe, while others see great goodness in Kareem; I know that I am drawn to Sfc Khan’s story … in so many ways his life represents the best of our country . We would do well to remember he lived up to the meaning of his name, "Most excellent!."