I always wonder what the Patriot Act (god how I despise that name) and issues like warrantless wiretaps will seem like to us in 20 years' time. They seem hideous now--I think so many of these Cheney / Rove / Rumsfeld tactics are utterly un-American--but will we wonder 20 years on how we let it all happen? Or is there no going back once we're there? And will we blame it on the changed world?
Hitler made his inroads in little steps, each of which did not necessarily seem unconscionable in itself (well, some did), but together they added up to something that is a blight on humanity itself.
I've quoted about five times before a line from Paul Krugman, saying that he believed the current regime would stop at absolutely nothing to stay in power. When asked for clarification he said: just what I said--ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
I had a post written about Bush's Continuation of Government plan but didn't put it up. He basically gets to bypass all the usual checks and balances and branches of government and declare himself the Law of the Land--and he gets to do this if he simply deems it necessary in his own mind. He's not the first to have such a plan, but in light of the administration's history, it seems alarming.
I certainly don't know if he could outstay his term, but I think the common wisdom is that HE'S not the brains of the outfit anyway. He's just the bimbo spokesperson put in to do the bidding of the real powers. THEY'RE the ones who want to keep the reins in hand. I think most people think of Cheney as being the actual power, and I wonder at whether this situation has happened before, where the VP may actually wield more power than the Pres.
The administration has ratcheted up the terror level every time they've been in trouble, and it seems prudent to wonder what they'll do before they cede the halls of power to Democrats.
Poster Time.
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I always wonder what the Patriot Act (god how I despise that name) and issues like warrantless wiretaps will seem like to us in 20 years' time. They seem hideous now--I think so many of these Cheney / Rove / Rumsfeld tactics are utterly un-American--but will we wonder 20 years on how we let it all happen? Or is there no going back once we're there? And will we blame it on the changed world?
Hitler made his inroads in little steps, each of which did not necessarily seem unconscionable in itself (well, some did), but together they added up to something that is a blight on humanity itself.
Bad analogy. Or is it?
wunelle asked: Bad analogy. Or is it?
Not really. Once Hitler gained power I think he moved pretty quickly to consolidate his position. Bush is taking longer about it.
It will be interesting to see what happens in 2008 - especially if the Democrats win.
I've quoted about five times before a line from Paul Krugman, saying that he believed the current regime would stop at absolutely nothing to stay in power. When asked for clarification he said: just what I said--ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.
I had a post written about Bush's Continuation of Government plan but didn't put it up. He basically gets to bypass all the usual checks and balances and branches of government and declare himself the Law of the Land--and he gets to do this if he simply deems it necessary in his own mind. He's not the first to have such a plan, but in light of the administration's history, it seems alarming.
Further info can be found here:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_and_Homeland_Security_Presidential_Directive
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuity_of_Operations_Plan
Could Bush *really* stay in power beyond his 2nd Term? I know that there are rules in place for such an eventuality - but would he DARE?
I certainly don't know if he could outstay his term, but I think the common wisdom is that HE'S not the brains of the outfit anyway. He's just the bimbo spokesperson put in to do the bidding of the real powers. THEY'RE the ones who want to keep the reins in hand. I think most people think of Cheney as being the actual power, and I wonder at whether this situation has happened before, where the VP may actually wield more power than the Pres.
The administration has ratcheted up the terror level every time they've been in trouble, and it seems prudent to wonder what they'll do before they cede the halls of power to Democrats.
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