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Topic: Science > Prophecies-Of-Nostradamus
User: "Perseid"
Date: 29 May 2007 10:54:38 PM
Object: The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-henry-clippinger/the-cheneybush-legacy-
_b_49913.html
The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society
John Henry Clippinger
Posted May 29, 2007 | 10:11 PM (EST)
As tragic as it is, the Iraq War is a distraction. Like the gnawing
pain of an open wound, it commands our attention. But there is a far
graver threat to the security, integrity and eventual viability of
this country.
Throughout its tenure, the Cheney-Bush administration has been
systematically dismantling every governmental agency -- Environmental
Protection Agency, Occupational Safety Health Administration, National
Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of State, United
States Agency for International Development, Department of Energy,
National Institute of Health, Department of Justice, Federal Drug
Administration, Department of Education, Smithsonian Institute, Federal
Emergency Management Administration, Forest Service, Department of
Homeland Security. All have been staffed with political appointees whose
primary qualifications and sole mandate has been to undermine the very
charters of the organization they are supposed to lead. Even the core
principles of democratic governance have been consistently, systematically
and deliberately weakened: rule by law -- transparency and accountability
-- checks and balances -- the public good. This administration's contempt
for international law is only exceeded by its dismissal of habeas corps
and its aspiration for an imperial presidency as evidenced in Bush's
"signing statements" that he claims gives him the right to disobey over
750 laws.
This is a clear and present danger. It is the most radical, systematic,
and regressive attack on our government by any elected party in this
country's history.
Sounds like hyperbole. But think about it. Look at the evidence.
The 2008 election must not be just about the Iraq War, emigration, or the
assorted red herring issues of gay marriage, abortion, the economy. Rather
it must be an open public dialogue about how we can recover our soul as a
people, and honestly confront our failings and make the sacrifices and
depth of changes required to reverse the ruinous years of Cheney-Bush.
It is far from certain -- that even with a wholly new administration --
that we can recover what we have lost, and eradicate the cancer of
arrogance and ignorance that has become our face to the world. For neither
the hope of Barack Obama, nor the popularism of John Edwards, nor the
gravitas of Hilary Clinton will be sufficient. (Not to mention the manic
expediencies of John McCain and Rudolph Guliani or even the panderings of
Bishop Romney.) Personality will not solve our problem. Not even a
resurrected Bill Clinton.
The fact that Cheney-Bush fundamentalist agenda has achieved such primacy,
and to this day, defies fact, logic, public opinion, and the law, is
indicative of how weak our democratic institutions and values have become.
Normally, our democratic immune system would have repudiated the incipient
Cheney-Bush virus. But our immune system has become severely compromised
over the years, beginning with the Nixon Administration when partisanship
first mutated into imperial ambition and ideological dogma. Now in an even
more virulent form, it has successfully infected our entire body politic.
Adjustments on the margin will not suffice. Big bold acts in all aspects
of government will be needed. Not calculated appeasements and compromised
principles. Watered down vaccines will not suppress this highly resistant
pathogen.
A level of activism and restructuring not seen since FDR will be needed.
Not to say that we have to return to big government, but rather to smart
governance. There need not be a battle between the private sector and the
public sector. There really is an opportunity to get beyond left-right
divisions to forge a new synthesis and consensus A fundamental rethinking
of our security policy is essential -- not just for the Middle East -- but
globally. The "war of terrorism" is a jingoistic and misleading
characterization of complex issues that will require not only new
policies, but institutional restructuring -- in the Department of Defense,
Department of State, Department of Justice, Homeland Security and National
Intelligence. All issues of any import cut across agency and institutional
boundaries and threaten entrenched institutional special interests: energy
policy intersects with environmental policy, economic policy and national
security policy.
New technologies for surveillance threaten our civil liberties requiring
new thinking about civil liberties and national security. The stranglehold
of special interests upon the legislative, budgeting and procurement
process has to be confronted and addressed. Congressional doubletalk and
posturing simply cannot be tolerated. Competence, commitment and effective
execution will be required of the next administration. Even the media will
be called to act responsibly, thoughtfully, and in the public interest and
somehow look at issues substantively and hold public officials
accountable. The efforts of the Sunlight Foundation are a good example of
efforts by citizens to make government more open and accountable. Other
similar "open source" efforts where the expertise and efforts of citizens
are organized not around partisan grounds or narrow special interests, but
for the common good, in energy, education, and healthcare, will be a
necessary component for the rejuvenation of American Democracy. Given the
enormity of the challenges confronting the next President, he or she would
be well advised to involve these new forms of public minded democratic
activism.
.

User: "=?utf-8?B?V2FsbHkgTG9ybmXihKI=?="

Title: Re: The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society 29 May 2007 11:56:06 PM
I do sincerely hope U lot have success in impeaching Dumbo & Cheney.
The consequences of an attack on Iran & Syria would not just be
catastrophic
for the Middle East, but the entire world.
The Russians, as U r well aware, have vital strategic interests in
Syria & Iran, not to mention billions of Rubles invested & nuclear
technicians working at Iranian nuclear installations including the one
at Natanz.
Should there ever be an military attack on Iran & Syria, then the
Russians would then have no choice but to turn the jewish parasitic
state into
the world's biggest parking lot.
http://www.vialls.com/myahudi/sunburn.html
Hopefully the following will amount to something, Randolph ?!??!?
Massachusetts Dems Pass LYM Call To Impeach Cheney
http://www.larouchepub.com/lym/2007/3422mass_dem_convntn.html
HOOROO =E2=98=BB
UNCLE WALLY =E2=98=BB
On May 30, 1:54=C2=A0pm, Perseid <eidp...@anti-spam.comcast.net> wrote:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-henry-clippinger/the-cheneybush-le...
_b_49913.html

The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society
John Henry Clippinger
Posted May 29, 2007 | 10:11 PM (EST)

As tragic as it is, the Iraq War is a distraction. Like the gnawing
pain of an open wound, it commands our attention. But there is a far
graver threat to the security, integrity and eventual viability of
this country.

Throughout its tenure, the Cheney-Bush administration has been
systematically dismantling every governmental agency -- Environmental
Protection Agency, Occupational Safety Health Administration, National
Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of State, United
States Agency for International Development, Department of Energy,
National Institute of Health, Department of Justice, Federal Drug
Administration, Department of Education, Smithsonian Institute, Federal
Emergency Management Administration, Forest Service, Department of
Homeland Security. All have been staffed with political appointees whose
primary qualifications and sole mandate has been to undermine the very
charters of the organization they are supposed to lead. Even the core
principles of democratic governance have been consistently, systematically
and deliberately weakened: rule by law -- transparency and accountability
-- checks and balances -- the public good. This administration's contempt
for international law is only exceeded by its dismissal of habeas corps
and its aspiration for an imperial presidency as evidenced in Bush's
"signing statements" that he claims gives him the right to disobey over
750 laws.

This is a clear and present danger. It is the most radical, systematic,
and regressive attack on our government by any elected party in this
country's history.

Sounds like hyperbole. But think about it. Look at the evidence.

The 2008 election must not be just about the Iraq War, emigration, or the
assorted red herring issues of gay marriage, abortion, the economy. Rather
it must be an open public dialogue about how we can recover our soul as a
people, and honestly confront our failings and make the sacrifices and
depth of changes required to reverse the ruinous years of Cheney-Bush.

It is far from certain -- that even with a wholly new administration --
that we can recover what we have lost, and eradicate the cancer of
arrogance and ignorance that has become our face to the world. For neither
the hope of Barack Obama, nor the popularism of John Edwards, nor the
gravitas of Hilary Clinton will be sufficient. (Not to mention the manic
expediencies of John McCain and Rudolph Guliani or even the panderings of
Bishop Romney.) Personality will not solve our problem. Not even a
resurrected Bill Clinton.

The fact that Cheney-Bush fundamentalist agenda has achieved such primacy,
and to this day, defies fact, logic, public opinion, and the law, is
indicative of how weak our democratic institutions and values have become.
Normally, our democratic immune system would have repudiated the incipient
Cheney-Bush virus. But our immune system has become severely compromised
over the years, beginning with the Nixon Administration when partisanship
first mutated into imperial ambition and ideological dogma. Now in an even
more virulent form, it has successfully infected our entire body politic.
Adjustments on the margin will not suffice. Big bold acts in all aspects
of government will be needed. Not calculated appeasements and compromised
principles. Watered down vaccines will not suppress this highly resistant
pathogen.

A level of activism and restructuring not seen since FDR will be needed.
Not to say that we have to return to big government, but rather to smart
governance. There need not be a battle between the private sector and the
public sector. There really is an opportunity to get beyond left-right
divisions to forge a new synthesis and consensus A fundamental rethinking
of our security policy is essential -- not just for the Middle East -- but
globally. The "war of terrorism" is a jingoistic and misleading
characterization of complex issues that will require not only new
policies, but institutional restructuring -- in the Department of Defense,
Department of State, Department of Justice, Homeland Security and National
Intelligence. All issues of any import cut across agency and institutional
boundaries and threaten entrenched institutional special interests: energy
policy intersects with environmental policy, economic policy and national
security policy.

New technologies for surveillance threaten our civil liberties requiring
new thinking about civil liberties and national security. The stranglehold
of special interests upon the legislative, budgeting and procurement
process has to be confronted and addressed. Congressional doubletalk and
posturing simply cannot be tolerated. Competence, commitment and effective
execution will be required of the next administration. Even the media will
be called to act responsibly, thoughtfully, and in the public interest and
somehow look at issues substantively and hold public officials
accountable. The efforts of the Sunlight Foundation are a good example of
efforts by citizens to make government more open and accountable. Other
similar "open source" efforts where the expertise and efforts of citizens
are organized not around partisan grounds or narrow special interests, but
for the common good, in energy, education, and healthcare, will be a
necessary component for the rejuvenation of American Democracy. Given the
enormity of the challenges confronting the next President, he or she would
be well advised to involve these new forms of public minded democratic
activism.

.
User: "Perseid"

Title: Re: The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society 30 May 2007 01:01:37 AM
After Much Chewing of Cud and Cogitation, =?utf-8?B?V2FsbHkgTG9ybmXihKI=?=
<sgdecember2012@yahoo.ca> Spat the Words

I do sincerely hope U lot have success in impeaching Dumbo & Cheney.
The consequences of an attack on Iran & Syria would not just be
catastrophic
for the Middle East, but the entire world.

The Russians, as U r well aware, have vital strategic interests in
Syria & Iran, not to mention billions of Rubles invested & nuclear
technicians working at Iranian nuclear installations including the one
at Natanz.

Why Wally, do I detect a note of fear and concern in your statements ?
I thought you were seeking the end of the world. You always seem so
eager to hasten what you perceive as the inevitable end-of-the-world
catastrophe. What has caused this change of heart ? Just general
trepidation I suppose ?


Should there ever be an military attack on Iran & Syria, then the
Russians would then have no choice but to turn the jewish parasitic
state into
the world's biggest parking lot.

http://www.vialls.com/myahudi/sunburn.html

Hopefully the following will amount to something, Randolph ?!??!?

Massachusetts Dems Pass LYM Call To Impeach Cheney

http://www.larouchepub.com/lym/2007/3422mass_dem_convntn.html

HOOROO ☻

UNCLE WALLY ☻




On May 30, 1:54 pm, Perseid <eidp...@anti-spam.comcast.net> wrote:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-henry-clippinger/the-cheneybush-

le...

_b_49913.html

The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society
John Henry Clippinger
Posted May 29, 2007 | 10:11 PM (EST)

As tragic as it is, the Iraq War is a distraction. Like the gnawing
pain of an open wound, it commands our attention. But there is a far
graver threat to the security, integrity and eventual viability of
this country.

Throughout its tenure, the Cheney-Bush administration has been
systematically dismantling every governmental agency -- Environmental
Protection Agency, Occupational Safety Health Administration, National
Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of State, United
States Agency for International Development, Department of Energy,
National Institute of Health, Department of Justice, Federal Drug
Administration, Department of Education, Smithsonian Institute, Federal
Emergency Management Administration, Forest Service, Department of
Homeland Security. All have been staffed with political appointees

whose

primary qualifications and sole mandate has been to undermine the very
charters of the organization they are supposed to lead. Even the core
principles of democratic governance have been consistently,

systematically

and deliberately weakened: rule by law -- transparency and

accountability

-- checks and balances -- the public good. This administration's

contempt

for international law is only exceeded by its dismissal of habeas corps
and its aspiration for an imperial presidency as evidenced in Bush's
"signing statements" that he claims gives him the right to disobey over
750 laws.

This is a clear and present danger. It is the most radical, systematic,
and regressive attack on our government by any elected party in this
country's history.

Sounds like hyperbole. But think about it. Look at the evidence.

The 2008 election must not be just about the Iraq War, emigration, or

the

assorted red herring issues of gay marriage, abortion, the economy.

Rather

it must be an open public dialogue about how we can recover our soul as

a

people, and honestly confront our failings and make the sacrifices and
depth of changes required to reverse the ruinous years of Cheney-Bush.

It is far from certain -- that even with a wholly new administration --
that we can recover what we have lost, and eradicate the cancer of
arrogance and ignorance that has become our face to the world. For

neither

the hope of Barack Obama, nor the popularism of John Edwards, nor the
gravitas of Hilary Clinton will be sufficient. (Not to mention the

manic

expediencies of John McCain and Rudolph Guliani or even the panderings

of

Bishop Romney.) Personality will not solve our problem. Not even a
resurrected Bill Clinton.

The fact that Cheney-Bush fundamentalist agenda has achieved such

primacy,

and to this day, defies fact, logic, public opinion, and the law, is
indicative of how weak our democratic institutions and values have

become.

Normally, our democratic immune system would have repudiated the

incipient

Cheney-Bush virus. But our immune system has become severely

compromised

over the years, beginning with the Nixon Administration when

partisanship

first mutated into imperial ambition and ideological dogma. Now in an

even

more virulent form, it has successfully infected our entire body

politic.

Adjustments on the margin will not suffice. Big bold acts in all

aspects

of government will be needed. Not calculated appeasements and

compromised

principles. Watered down vaccines will not suppress this highly

resistant

pathogen.

A level of activism and restructuring not seen since FDR will be

needed.

Not to say that we have to return to big government, but rather to

smart

governance. There need not be a battle between the private sector and

the

public sector. There really is an opportunity to get beyond left-right
divisions to forge a new synthesis and consensus A fundamental

rethinking

of our security policy is essential -- not just for the Middle East --

but

globally. The "war of terrorism" is a jingoistic and misleading
characterization of complex issues that will require not only new
policies, but institutional restructuring -- in the Department of

Defense,

Department of State, Department of Justice, Homeland Security and

National

Intelligence. All issues of any import cut across agency and

institutional

boundaries and threaten entrenched institutional special interests:

energy

policy intersects with environmental policy, economic policy and

national

security policy.

New technologies for surveillance threaten our civil liberties

requiring

new thinking about civil liberties and national security. The

stranglehold

of special interests upon the legislative, budgeting and procurement
process has to be confronted and addressed. Congressional doubletalk

and

posturing simply cannot be tolerated. Competence, commitment and

effective

execution will be required of the next administration. Even the media

will

be called to act responsibly, thoughtfully, and in the public interest

and

somehow look at issues substantively and hold public officials
accountable. The efforts of the Sunlight Foundation are a good example

of

efforts by citizens to make government more open and accountable. Other
similar "open source" efforts where the expertise and efforts of

citizens

are organized not around partisan grounds or narrow special interests,

but

for the common good, in energy, education, and healthcare, will be a
necessary component for the rejuvenation of American Democracy. Given

the

enormity of the challenges confronting the next President, he or she

would

be well advised to involve these new forms of public minded democratic
activism.




.
User: "=?utf-8?B?V2FsbHkgTG9ybmXihKI=?="

Title: Re: The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society 30 May 2007 10:56:30 PM
On May 30, 4:01=C2=A0pm, Perseid <eidp...@anti-spam.comcast.net> wrote:

After Much Chewing of Cud and Cogitation, =3D?utf-8?B?V2FsbHkgTG9ybmXihKI=

=3D?=3D

<sgdecember2...@yahoo.ca> Spat the Words

I do sincerely hope U lot have success in impeaching Dumbo & Cheney.
The consequences of an attack on Iran & Syria would not just be
catastrophic
for the Middle East, but the entire world.


The Russians, as U r well aware, have vital strategic interests in
Syria & Iran, not to mention billions of Rubles invested & nuclear
technicians working at Iranian nuclear installations including the one
at Natanz.


Why Wally, do I detect a note of fear and concern in your statements ?
I thought you were seeking the end of the world. You always seem so
eager to hasten what you perceive as the inevitable end-of-the-world
catastrophe. What has caused this change of heart ? Just general
trepidation I suppose ?







Should there ever be an military attack on Iran & Syria, then the
Russians would then have no choice but to turn the jewish parasitic
state into
the world's biggest parking lot.


http://www.vialls.com/myahudi/sunburn.html


Hopefully the following will amount to something, Randolph ?!??!?


Massachusetts Dems Pass LYM Call To Impeach Cheney


http://www.larouchepub.com/lym/2007/3422mass_dem_convntn.html


HOOROO =E2=98=BB


UNCLE WALLY =E2=98=BB


On May 30, 1:54=C2=A0pm, Perseid <eidp...@anti-spam.comcast.net> wrote:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-henry-clippinger/the-cheneybush-

le...

_b_49913.html


The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society
John Henry Clippinger
Posted May 29, 2007 | 10:11 PM (EST)


As tragic as it is, the Iraq War is a distraction. Like the gnawing
pain of an open wound, it commands our attention. But there is a far
graver threat to the security, integrity and eventual viability of
this country.


Throughout its tenure, the Cheney-Bush administration has been
systematically dismantling every governmental agency -- Environmental
Protection Agency, Occupational Safety Health Administration, National
Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of State, United
States Agency for International Development, Department of Energy,
National Institute of Health, Department of Justice, Federal Drug
Administration, Department of Education, Smithsonian Institute, Federal
Emergency Management Administration, Forest Service, Department of
Homeland Security. All have been staffed with political appointees

whose

primary qualifications and sole mandate has been to undermine the very
charters of the organization they are supposed to lead. Even the core
principles of democratic governance have been consistently,

systematically

and deliberately weakened: rule by law -- transparency and

accountability

-- checks and balances -- the public good. This administration's

contempt

for international law is only exceeded by its dismissal of habeas corps
and its aspiration for an imperial presidency as evidenced in Bush's
"signing statements" that he claims gives him the right to disobey over
750 laws.


This is a clear and present danger. It is the most radical, systematic,
and regressive attack on our government by any elected party in this
country's history.


Sounds like hyperbole. But think about it. Look at the evidence.


The 2008 election must not be just about the Iraq War, emigration, or

the

assorted red herring issues of gay marriage, abortion, the economy.

Rather

it must be an open public dialogue about how we can recover our soul as

a

people, and honestly confront our failings and make the sacrifices and
depth of changes required to reverse the ruinous years of Cheney-Bush.


It is far from certain -- that even with a wholly new administration --
that we can recover what we have lost, and eradicate the cancer of
arrogance and ignorance that has become our face to the world. For

neither

the hope of Barack Obama, nor the popularism of John Edwards, nor the
gravitas of Hilary Clinton will be sufficient. (Not to mention the

manic

expediencies of John McCain and Rudolph Guliani or even the panderings

of

Bishop Romney.) Personality will not solve our problem. Not even a
resurrected Bill Clinton.


The fact that Cheney-Bush fundamentalist agenda has achieved such

primacy,

and to this day, defies fact, logic, public opinion, and the law, is
indicative of how weak our democratic institutions and values have

become.

Normally, our democratic immune system would have repudiated the

incipient

Cheney-Bush virus. But our immune system has become severely

compromised

over the years, beginning with the Nixon Administration when

partisanship

first mutated into imperial ambition and ideological dogma. Now in an

even

more virulent form, it has successfully infected our entire body

politic.

Adjustments on the margin will not suffice. Big bold acts in all

aspects

of government will be needed. Not calculated appeasements and

compromised

principles. Watered down vaccines will not suppress this highly

resistant

pathogen.


A level of activism and restructuring not seen since FDR will be

needed.

Not to say that we have to return to big government, but rather to

smart

governance. There need not be a battle between the private sector and

the

public sector. There really is an opportunity to get beyond left-right
divisions to forge a new synthesis and consensus A fundamental

rethinking

of our security policy is essential -- not just for the Middle East --

but

globally. The "war of terrorism" is a jingoistic and misleading
characterization of complex issues that will require not only new
policies, but institutional restructuring -- in the Department of

Defense,

Department of State, Department of Justice, Homeland Security and

National

Intelligence. All issues of any import cut across agency and

institutional

boundaries and threaten entrenched institutional special interests:

energy

policy intersects with environmental policy, economic policy and

national

security policy.


New technologies for surveillance threaten our civil liberties

requiring

new thinking about civil liberties and national security. The

stranglehold

of special interests upon the legislative, budgeting and procurement
process has to be confronted and addressed. Congressional doubletalk

and

posturing simply cannot be tolerated. Competence, commitment and

effective

execution will be required of the next administration. Even the media

will

be called to act responsibly, thoughtfully, and in the public interest

and

somehow look at issues substantively and hold public officials
accountable. The efforts of the Sunlight Foundation are a good example

of

efforts by citizens to make government more open and accountable. Other
similar "open source" efforts where the expertise and efforts of

citizens

are organized not around partisan grounds or narrow special interests,

but

for the common good, in energy, education, and healthcare, will be a
necessary component for the rejuvenation of American Democracy. Given

the

enormity of the challenges confronting the next President, he or she

would

be well advised to involve these new forms of public minded democratic
activism.- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -

No, I am fatalistic about it. I know it's destined to happen - c'est
un a fait accompli if U will.
It's pre-ordained to happen, but the Neocrazies & Zionist douche bags
are merely hastening the inevitable by threatening to bomb Iran &
Syria back to
the frickin' stone age.
HOOROO =E2=98=BB
UNCLE WALLY =E2=98=BB
.

User: "=?utf-8?B?V2FsbHkgTG9ybmXihKI=?="

Title: Re: The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society 30 May 2007 11:44:44 PM
On May 30, 4:01=C2=A0pm, Perseid <eidp...@anti-spam.comcast.net> wrote:

After Much Chewing of Cud and Cogitation, =3D?utf-8?B?V2FsbHkgTG9ybmXihKI=

=3D?=3D

<sgdecember2...@yahoo.ca> Spat the Words

I do sincerely hope U lot have success in impeaching Dumbo & Cheney.
The consequences of an attack on Iran & Syria would not just be
catastrophic
for the Middle East, but the entire world.


The Russians, as U r well aware, have vital strategic interests in
Syria & Iran, not to mention billions of Rubles invested & nuclear
technicians working at Iranian nuclear installations including the one
at Natanz.


Why Wally, do I detect a note of fear and concern in your statements ?
I thought you were seeking the end of the world. You always seem so
eager to hasten what you perceive as the inevitable end-of-the-world
catastrophe. What has caused this change of heart ? Just general
trepidation I suppose ?







Should there ever be an military attack on Iran & Syria, then the
Russians would then have no choice but to turn the jewish parasitic
state into
the world's biggest parking lot.


http://www.vialls.com/myahudi/sunburn.html


Hopefully the following will amount to something, Randolph ?!??!?


Massachusetts Dems Pass LYM Call To Impeach Cheney


http://www.larouchepub.com/lym/2007/3422mass_dem_convntn.html


HOOROO =E2=98=BB


UNCLE WALLY =E2=98=BB


On May 30, 1:54=C2=A0pm, Perseid <eidp...@anti-spam.comcast.net> wrote:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-henry-clippinger/the-cheneybush-

le...

_b_49913.html


The Cheney-Bush Legacy & Open Society
John Henry Clippinger
Posted May 29, 2007 | 10:11 PM (EST)


As tragic as it is, the Iraq War is a distraction. Like the gnawing
pain of an open wound, it commands our attention. But there is a far
graver threat to the security, integrity and eventual viability of
this country.


Throughout its tenure, the Cheney-Bush administration has been
systematically dismantling every governmental agency -- Environmental
Protection Agency, Occupational Safety Health Administration, National
Science Foundation, Department of Defense, Department of State, United
States Agency for International Development, Department of Energy,
National Institute of Health, Department of Justice, Federal Drug
Administration, Department of Education, Smithsonian Institute, Federal
Emergency Management Administration, Forest Service, Department of
Homeland Security. All have been staffed with political appointees

whose

primary qualifications and sole mandate has been to undermine the very
charters of the organization they are supposed to lead. Even the core
principles of democratic governance have been consistently,

systematically

and deliberately weakened: rule by law -- transparency and

accountability

-- checks and balances -- the public good. This administration's

contempt

for international law is only exceeded by its dismissal of habeas corps
and its aspiration for an imperial presidency as evidenced in Bush's
"signing statements" that he claims gives him the right to disobey over
750 laws.


This is a clear and present danger. It is the most radical, systematic,
and regressive attack on our government by any elected party in this
country's history.


Sounds like hyperbole. But think about it. Look at the evidence.


The 2008 election must not be just about the Iraq War, emigration, or

the

assorted red herring issues of gay marriage, abortion, the economy.

Rather

it must be an open public dialogue about how we can recover our soul as

a

people, and honestly confront our failings and make the sacrifices and
depth of changes required to reverse the ruinous years of Cheney-Bush.


It is far from certain -- that even with a wholly new administration --
that we can recover what we have lost, and eradicate the cancer of
arrogance and ignorance that has become our face to the world. For

neither

the hope of Barack Obama, nor the popularism of John Edwards, nor the
gravitas of Hilary Clinton will be sufficient. (Not to mention the

manic

expediencies of John McCain and Rudolph Guliani or even the panderings

of

Bishop Romney.) Personality will not solve our problem. Not even a
resurrected Bill Clinton.


The fact that Cheney-Bush fundamentalist agenda has achieved such

primacy,

and to this day, defies fact, logic, public opinion, and the law, is
indicative of how weak our democratic institutions and values have

become.

Normally, our democratic immune system would have repudiated the

incipient

Cheney-Bush virus. But our immune system has become severely

compromised

over the years, beginning with the Nixon Administration when

partisanship

first mutated into imperial ambition and ideological dogma. Now in an

even

more virulent form, it has successfully infected our entire body

politic.

Adjustments on the margin will not suffice. Big bold acts in all

aspects

of government will be needed. Not calculated appeasements and

compromised

principles. Watered down vaccines will not suppress this highly

resistant

pathogen.


A level of activism and restructuring not seen since FDR will be

needed.

Not to say that we have to return to big government, but rather to

smart

governance. There need not be a battle between the private sector and

the

public sector. There really is an opportunity to get beyond left-right
divisions to forge a new synthesis and consensus A fundamental

rethinking

of our security policy is essential -- not just for the Middle East --

but

globally. The "war of terrorism" is a jingoistic and misleading
characterization of complex issues that will require not only new
policies, but institutional restructuring -- in the Department of

Defense,

Department of State, Department of Justice, Homeland Security and

National

Intelligence. All issues of any import cut across agency and

institutional

boundaries and threaten entrenched institutional special interests:

energy

policy intersects with environmental policy, economic policy and

national

security policy.


New technologies for surveillance threaten our civil liberties

requiring

new thinking about civil liberties and national security. The

stranglehold

of special interests upon the legislative, budgeting and procurement
process has to be confronted and addressed. Congressional doubletalk

and

posturing simply cannot be tolerated. Competence, commitment and

effective

execution will be required of the next administration. Even the media

will

be called to act responsibly, thoughtfully, and in the public interest

and

somehow look at issues substantively and hold public officials
accountable. The efforts of the Sunlight Foundation are a good example

of

efforts by citizens to make government more open and accountable. Other
similar "open source" efforts where the expertise and efforts of

citizens

are organized not around partisan grounds or narrow special interests,

but

for the common good, in energy, education, and healthcare, will be a
necessary component for the rejuvenation of American Democracy. Given

the

enormity of the challenges confronting the next President, he or she

would

be well advised to involve these new forms of public minded democratic
activism.- Hide quoted text -


- Show quoted text -

No, I am fatalistic about it. I know it's destined to happen - c'est
un a fait accompli if U will.
It's pre-ordained to happen, but the Neocrazies & Zionist douche bags
are merely hastening the inevitable by threatening to bomb Iran &
Syria back to
the frickin' stone age.
HOOROO =E2=98=BB
UNCLE WALLY =E2=98=BB
.




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