George W. Bush is a public relations illusion. Illusions do not get to define who we are. A growing majority of Americans understand that something is very wrong in our nation and the problems begin at the top. We're better than Bush's fear mongering and petty grabs for power. I hope Americans send a clear message of courage this November and start holding Bush accountable.
Posted by Craig at September 29, 2006 12:02 AMAnd what excuse will we use when, again, the American voters turn away the Democratic Party.d
Posted by common sense at September 29, 2006 03:19 AMSen. Joe Lieberman and Rep. Harold Ford are pro-torture.
Tell a friend. Spread the word.
Posted by Christopher at September 29, 2006 04:47 AMgiven the El Foldo by Dem Senators and House members to whatever King George tells them he "needs" in these last few days of the Congress (before the election, or forever?) I have now concluded that taking back either house of Congress by the Dems won't make much difference. They'll still be scared to death of Bush/Cheney/Rove and will do whatever they are told, just as they are doing now. They are rudderless, swirling like a roach in a flushed toilet.
Posted by T2 at September 29, 2006 06:20 AMSince it worked so well on frogs, will shoving firecrackers up peoples butts be on the torture menu?
Posted by TIKI AL at September 29, 2006 11:19 AMT2, since it's highly unlikely that Democrats will win enough seats to be veto proof, Bush will still throw his weight around. But he can be limited. Does anyone doubt that the moment Democrats start opening investigations that the atmosphere in Washington will change? Investigating where all the money went for money that was supposed to go to Iraq reconstruction will alone be a powerful move.
I'm disgusted with the Democrats who sided with Bush on torture but the other Democrats will still dominate Congress. Even in the 80s, conservative Democrats could be brought along on most issues, though not all.
In the end, this is a generational fight; it's going to take more than three or four elections to turn the country around. Parts of the media still treat elections as some kind of unimportant turf battle that scored for style points. But Bush and his fellow Repubicans are so caught up in their ideology that they can't see problems already beginning to have some serious bite to them. And those problems are going to get worse. The coming elections matter, even when Democrats lose. And the idea that some third party can bring about a sea change is not likely given the huge amount of money that still needs to be raised for campaigns (I wouldn't totally rule out third parties yet, particularly at the local and state level; and Democrats need to reallize that voters could leave in droves if they don't get their act together though I don't think it's time for that).
It's only been four years of this craziness (yes, I know, six if you want to include the 2000 election itself, twelve if you want to include Gingrich's 'revolution', twenty-five if you want to include the clear rise of the conservative movement with the election of Reagan, 200 years if you want to include the fact that this is, after all, a conservative country), four years since a significant number of Americans realized what a reckless presidency this is, even for Republicans, and maybe two or three years since many of us realize we've got big problems coming that can't be ignored anymore that even Republicans need to start taking on, though I prefer Democrats to do so since Republicans refuse to divest themselves of the very people slowing our country down.
Posted by Craig at September 29, 2006 01:32 PMIt's not just CACI and Titan that torture is outsourced to. Lockheed Martin is currently seeking to fill an intel position at Gitmo that includes designing interrogation programs. I examined this in greater detail yesterday on my blog: www.TheSpyWhoBilledMe.com .
Posted by R J Hillhouse at September 29, 2006 03:50 PMIn the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals so that security and liberty may prosper together.
Dwight D. Eisenhower 1/17/1961
When people say things, it is human nature to evaluate the speaker, test whether we believe that he speaks as an authority. In 1961 this patriot, in a farewell address to the American people, warned us of the dangers that he saw. As a decorated five star general, a career soldier, he knew of what he spoke. This has been a long time coming. The sleaze and criminal nature of our leaders is real. It is up to every patriotic American to take back our nation.