It all started with Nixon.
Alright, consider it a concession it didn’t actually start with Richard Milhous Nixon, but upon 30+ years reflection, it is clear he deserves the ‘medal of embodiment,’ if you will.
His eyes were lifeless.
Must have been the guilt, because he was a heavy contributor.
Lying and open betrayal of the American people, and a sword in the back of democracy will do that every time.
Sure as hell.
Those eyes were scary, dark and evasive. And his thin, dried-lipped assurances that he was ‘not a crook.’ Pretty convincing stuff.
Yes, Dick, you were a crook. And a bad one at that.
At the time, many people wondered if the entire incident (including Ellsberg's office) would qualify for the 'world's stupidest crime' category in Guiness.
But, times have changed since Nixon.
The crimes are entirely more serious, and the underwriting process has improved its methodology incrementally.
Especially the marionette part----hell, you can hardly even see the strings now. Great stuff.
Yes, Dick, it all came true.
He would still worry about the Jews, however.
Those pesky Jews.
His scenario includes rubbing insincere little hands gleefully together. And then, to Haldeman:
‘You see, Bob, I told you we could whip these people into shape. Now they’ll tell us everything about their neighbors……just what we need---fear, Bob--fuck the people. That prick Thompson was right---they’re doomed. Next, we need to get those guns, Bob. Need to figure something out………get rid of that Hollywood guy---what’s his name-----Hooper or Lester? Something like that. We got people that can do it---no mess.’
Well, a lot of folks have come and gone since then. A lot of mysterious circumstances. A lot of timely dying.
Truly, a bi-partisan effort.
And today’s lullaby is a simpler song. And way more effective. Nixon’s……errrrrr…….Bush’s dance card is filled by willing partners wearing white gowns, effusing official policy through entire communications networks worldwide.
If only Dick had it that easy. He had to deal with those ‘commies’ physically protesting in the streets across the country.
He actually had to do something about the ‘war.’
He didn't have Fox News to protect him.
But what of the inevitable anti-war protests? Time has a way of making things more serious. And time is wearing on for the 'shock and awe' crowd.
But when the time comes:
No bad form allowed.
In a matter of moments, the 'terrorist' brand will be upon you, and you will be shot in the streets.
Simple as that.
Many demand: (as a conscience salve)
'Support the troops, even if you oppose the war.’
Well, no.
How about we support the ‘war,’ but oppose the troops, and bring them home out of moral outrage?
How about stepping away from centuries old endemic fights? If they can’t sort if out amongst themselves, then natural selection prevails.
The oil will just have to spill whatever direction it spills.
Simple as that.
But, that won’t work, will it?
According to political dictates, we are obligated to ‘spread’ Democracy.
Like peanut butter.
Seems like there was a ‘spread’ of the Red Menace only a few years back----then it miraculously disappeared.
Maybe they ran out of bread.
Apparently, many things have disappeared, including any desire to hold accountable our lawmakers, as they spin completely out of control, senses akimbo.
The average United States citizen has absolutely no idea about laws which are being passed directly influencing their lives.
They don't even care.
Some of the time, laws aimed at restricting the ways in which citizens may be a part of any decision making process.
Democracy at work.
Here’s a corker:
In February, one of the few politicians who stood firm against the implementation of the 'REAl ID' card (HR 418)--- Congressman Ron Paul----was recently forced to watch the inevitable.
The Senate passage of this horrific, troubling law.
Dr. Paul must be a lonely kind of guy.
After all, he believes in the goodness which frames the Constitution, in the notions of free and fair trade, and the limitations imposed on the power the Federal government could wield.
Is he the only politician willing to look truth in the face?
And, our citizens!
They simply obligingly gaze on. They listen to Bill O'Reilly chortle that he couldn't tell the difference between 'a Wookie and a Libertarian.'
They agree with Sean Hannity that the 'world is better off' rid of Mr. Hussein, thus justifying acts of war.
Whew.
The stare from people's eyes now is reminiscent of the barren, trance-like reflection from a steer's eyes as it munches grass relentlessly.
No thinking.
Almost Nixon like.
Munch, munch, munch.
Have we become so entrenched in the psychology of the moment, the daily grind of fear spewed from television boxes? Can we not see? Are we numb?
Evidently so, because through a simple stroke of the pen, we have allowed our lawmakers to set in motion a plan to create a National ID card.
(The Real ID Act originally passed the House in February as a standalone bill (H.R. 418) by a vote of 261-to-161. House leaders, realizing national ID would have been problematic in the Senate, then added it to a military appropriations bill in a cynical ploy to make it almost impossible to fight national ID.)
It should have been put to a National vote. This business of combining laws has got to stop.
What kind of democracy tolerates this?
On the local level, this 'combining' process would be like voting to continue the 4th of July parade and fireworks display, but allowing an unpopular businessperson to become a city council member because the fireworks measure passes.
What kind of sense does that make?
Just wait until your REAL ID card requires you to identify whether you own guns.
Or what publications you read.
Yes, yes, state government already requires you to register gun purchases. But that is not the point.
A federal database is being built to collate personal information. Collated information will be used, and not with citizenry best interests at heart.
Why does the Federal government need all our personal information? What are they planning to do with this information?
Common sense dictates that is in direct violation of our Constitutional right to privacy.
What of our future?
You can expect increasing 'inconveniences' through collusion with insurance companies, banks, and other businesses and agencies necessary to our existence.
You know, like the DMV. But that's another story.
Then, there will be regulations to follow in the interests of 'national security.' Many people will ultimately (and willingly) surrender their personal firearms.
It will be the patriotic thing to do.
Neighbors will inform the 'authorities' if anything 'suspicious' is happening at your house. Don't set off too many fireworks.
And you better get your passport while the getting is good.
'Your papers, please.'
If you have ever heard that uttered by a swarthy man carrying a machine gun, you know the horror behind those words.
But wait. Enough of the negativity.
Won't things get better? Surely we will have some change.
Overheard just the other day:
'Well, it's just for a few more years, and that moron will be out of office, and then them "demmy-crats" will get us out of the war, and vote us a bunch more money........just hold on, things will get better........right?'
Well, no, we won't be out of the war, no matter who occupies the seat of government. You can count on it. If it's not Iraq, it will be somewhere else.
And, if you are an average citizen, your life won't get any better, either.
That giant deficit is not going to go away without some serious economic hardships ahead. Guess who is going to bear the preponderance of that weight?
Again, simple as that.
Someday, folks will take notice that the 'changing of the guard' between Republicans and Democrats amounts to no more than the famous British ritual. (no offense to the British nation--there, the people know that the ritual is a ritual.)
But, mind control being what it is, this otherwise life changing notion simply doesn't matter. None of it does.
So, are the Founders 'turning over' in their graves?
No point in that, they're still dead. Evidently, so are their ideas.
James Madison, the principle architect of the U.S. Constitution, noted in 1795:
“Of all the enemies of public liberty, war is perhaps the most to be dreaded, because it comprises and develops the germ of every other. War is the parent of armies. From these proceed debts and taxes. And armies, debts and taxes are the known instruments for bringing the many under the dominion of the few.... No nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.”
QUITE A SUMMATION OF OUR TIMES.
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