“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, it is morally treasonable to the American Public.”
–Teddy Roosevelt
Lots of thoughtful commentators and analysts have heeded TR’s pronouncement, particularly since mid-2002. Those commentators and analysts have been far from servile — have, according to TR’s lights, been patriotic and far removed from committing moral treason, have not stood by the president when he’s been wrong.
With George W. Bush as president, it’s been easy for anyone who can objectively and pragmatically put two and two together not to be servile — easy to be patriotic and far removed from committing moral treason — easy to properly criticize Bush as president and to point out and oppose the wrongs that he and the members of his administration have committed.
Isn’t it a shame that the land of Washington and Jefferson and Madison and Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt and Truman and Eisenhower has had a president whom it shamefully and inexplicably re-elected, whose legacy is as disastrous as George W. Bush’s?
The record is one that should sadden all Americans because it has sullied our country’s legacy and history.
6 comments ↓
First off, remember that Bush was never elected. He was appointed by one member of the Supreme Court, which disenfranchised every voter, regardless of party, in the United States. In 2004, the Republican caging and hacking group stole at least two states through voter fraud.
The big fault lies with us in that we allowed it to happen, we didn’t react to those courageous few who exposed the election, nor did We the People rise up and demand a verifiable recount, or just threw out the election and insisted that our alleged representatives impeach the miscreants and then hold another election, UN overseen if necessary.
We the People have got to hold the current administration’s feet to the fire until we are sure that our Constitutional government is restored with the Constitution and Bill of Rights intact and functioning in the Halls of Government. That means repealing the misnamed PATRIOT Act and its successive incarnations, the MCA, the torture orders, “revised” FISA, etc. Habeas corpus must no longer be a corpse in United States law. Posse comitatus must be restored so we are no longer threatened by our own troops.
In addition to our national treasury having been robbed by our “government” and given away to their friends, the various regulatory agencies turned into protective organizations for big business, and environmental agencies becoming giveaways of our resources at bargain prices to big business, we have been brainwashed to think that eternal surveillance of every American is a patriotic necessity.
We have a nation that functioned quite well under our Constitution and Bill of Rights. We the People are strong and resilient. A terrorist attack can be absorbed and we can respond with law to catch the offenders. We do not need to destroy a million people and lay waste to poor nations, while threatening to lock up our own.
Remember, the entire world, even our adversaries, took us into their arms after 9/11. They would have worked to find and arrest the perps, turning them over for trial, had we not had that vengeful gang in charge who had been praying for another “Pearl Harbor” to start the neo-con ball of conquest rolling.
The rest, as they say, is history. If the CheneyBush gang is not tried and punished, then assuredly, history will repeat itself. Nixon got away with it, Reagan got away with it. If Cheney/Bush gets away with it, too, then the message is clear. Any two-bit crook, thief and murderer, if he or she once becomes President, has no limits. Everything and everyone is fair game and there are no consequences.
Personally, I think the Constitution is already a dead letter if the Bush Cheney gang isn’t prosecuted. As you’ve written previously Steve, if they’re not punished for their deeds, it has the same effect of making their actions acceptable for future presidents. While I expect little from the Obama administration, I must admit there’s an amazing opportunity for him to be one of the greatest presidents in history – by showing the great fortitude it takes to end war, reject all the power that’s been handed to him, and prosecute those who ruled before him. I’m not holding my breath
Yeah, Michael. don’t hold your breath. None of us looks good in cyanotic purple.
I was thinking this might be a good riddance to the new president, or maybe that was just wishful thinking. Yeah, Bush is a criminal, and now Obama is his accomplice. Just send a bunch of pork around to people to buy their loyalty and how quickly they’ll forget, right?
I look at the many ways that even a person of good intentions can be turned and realize the power of the forces that control our nation and I have less hope than ever. People pin a lot of faith on Obama, but look at the hostages he has. Like the mafioso’s say in the movies, “You’ve got a beautiful wife and daughters. It would be a shame if they should have an accident.” I’ve long felt that, when a reform candidate is installed, he/she probably gets taken into a back room and told something like this. “You’ve got a good job here. You do what you are told and you’ve got a career. We’ll give you some peanuts to throw to your constituents so they’ll think you are working for them. If you buck us, you are a one termer. Buck us really hard and does the name King or Kennedy mean anything to you?” And another reformer bites the dust.
I hope I am just getting cynical in my old age, but I’ve seen too much of this stuff over a long life. My Dad said to me many years ago, “Steve, do you know the definition of an honest politician? One who stays bought.”
Steve. I recall there is a book I read sometime back where this guy has exactly that job dealing with Foreign leaders of third world countries. Supposedly not fiction.
Does it ring a bell with you?
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