On the Swift-Boat Lollipop

Was anyone else reminded of a saucily eager-to-please Shirley Temple when John Kerry raised his hand to his brow and said "My name is John Kerry, and I'm . . ." (coy pause) "reporting for duty"?

I mean no disservice to the legacy of the brilliant former child star, nor to Shirley Temple Black's subsequent estimable contributions as a public servant. But the aw-shucks earnestness of Kerry's valorous-lieutenant routine and the pluck of The Little Colonel seemed more than passing apposite during the let's-play-soldier theatrics of Kerry's final convention night.