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Tag(s): 2008 Election Presidential; Bush Torturer-in-Chief; Impeachment; Presidential Campaign; State Terrorism; Torture; Torture Tapes
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May 1, 2008 at 08:47:51

Promoted to column top on 5/1/08:
Avoiding the Abyss

by Dr. Dennis Loo Page 1 of 2 page(s)

www.opednews.com

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The most infuriating thing about being an American - if you still have a working conscience - is the fact that our government is getting away with murder ... and torture ... and blatant lying ... and tyranny not seen since the Brits were in charge of the colonies. (Indeed, the situation is much worse today than the situation that provoked the American Revolution!) Worse than Bush and Cheney doing all of these things is the fact that the Democrats and the mass media are letting them do it!

That's worth saying again. What's worse than the monstrous things that this White House gang of war criminals are doing is the fact that the rest of the government and the Fourth Estate are permitting it and colluding in it.

Not only is this worse because it means that there are no "checks and balances" at work and any tyrant could get away with anything. It is also worse because it means that there is a rupture underway in the whole political system. It isn't just Bush and Cheney. It's the whole system.

It's not going to be resolved and made right, therefore, by a new administration taking office. The same forces that have allowed Bush and Cheney to do all that they have done are at work to ensure that the next president will carry out the fundamental tenets and precedents that Bush and Cheney have spearheaded.

Granted, some members of the press have raised complaints. The New York Times has editorialized in as strong language as I've ever seen them use against some of the more egregious acts of the Bush White House, roaring to the heavens, but concluding like a lamb: a wish and a hope that the next president will do better, rather than calling for the only logical thing: impeachment.

As I've written elsewhere the pretenders to the throne, the candidates still in the race for the presidency, are also refusing to call for impeachment and refusing to hold the Bush regime accountable for, good god, now admitting that they're choreographing click here TORTURE.

The fact that Bush was shamelessly lying for years, claiming that "We Do not Torture" http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9956644/," doesn't even merit comment by virtually the entire august media. The problem we face is dire and extreme.

It's as if a political thermonuclear bomb went off, the percussive impact felt in our ears across the country, and the entire political establishment and mass media act as if nothing has happened.

What is the heart of the problem?

The shortest way to answer this question is this: so long as the fundamental lie that provides this criminal government a rationale to continue on its vicious mission is not challenged directly, they will continue to get their way. They will continue to get anything and everything they want from the rest of the government and from a supine media.

What is that fundamental lie? "American lives are more valuable and more precious than other people's lives."

Forget the fact that Bush and Cheney's war on terror IS a fraud and that they want Osama Bin Laden around as their foil as much as OBL wants and needs Bush and Cheney for his own jihad.

Forget the fact that because it's a fraudulent war that Bush and Cheney's actual measures aren't designed to and aren't going to protect us against another attack.

Even if the war on terror wasn't a fraud and even if Bush and Cheney really did want to prevent another 9/11, the notion that anything can and should be done to protect American lives, including torturing others and committing mass murder, is the fundamental lie. It would inevitably, regardless of anyone's intentions, lead us to commit monstrous acts against humanity.

Consider this from Michael Ignatieff, Director of the Carr Center for Human Rights at Harvard, writing in the New York Times Magazine on May 2, 2004 in a piece entitled: "Could We Lose the War on Terror? Lesser Evils:"

"[A] liberal law professor at Yale [Bruce Ackerman] has recently proposed a wholesale revision of the president's current power to declare a national emergency, suggesting that if terrorists strike again, the president should be given the authority to act unilaterally for a week and to arrest anyone he sees fit."

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Cal Poly Pomona Sociology Professor. Co-editor/author (with Peter Phillips) of "Impeach the President: the Case Against Bush and Cheney."

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8 comments

Recently retired activist with an MA in Public Policy from an Ivy League school. A born again believer who also believes in the separation of church and state and is outraged that the Word of the Lord has been highjacked to justify the actions of the current administration.
macdon1Recently retired activist with an MA in Public Policy from an Ivy League school. A born again believer who also believes in the separation of church and state and is outraged that the Word of the Lord has been highjacked to justify the actions of the current administration.

It's Been a Long time Coming

This mess America is in didn't start with Bush/Cheney, they just brought it to a head. We have been going backwards since the Reagan years with no break even when there was a democrat? in the White House. The Clintons are rich elite corporatists just like the repugs who are now in office. All we need to do is look at who owns most of the wealth (that means income producing assets) and that tells us. Fewer and fewer of us own our own homes, land or means of production. Most of our once publically owned goods, such as clean water and power generating plants have been privatized. Even our prisons are now for-profit. Is it any wonder that we incarcerate more citizens than any other country? The social safety net has disappeared and now we survive at the pleasure of the rich and powerful. This is no longer a free country in any sense of the word.

by macdon1 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 101 comments) on Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 9:04:26 PM

Retired NASA systems engineer for Earth Science data systems. I consider myself a citizen of planet Earth and consider Nationalism and other such beliefs which separate ourselves from each other are outmoded and are detrimental to the well being of the earth and all of the creatures that inhabit it.
Philip PeaseRetired NASA systems engineer for Earth Science data systems. I consider myself a citizen of planet Earth and consider Nationalism and other such beliefs which separate ourselves from each other are outmoded and are detrimental to the well being of the earth and all of the creatures that inhabit it.

Yes - I agree

In my mind - Bush and Cheney have destroyed American Democracy.

Before Bush/Cheney American Democracy was seen by many as an ideal for government - a government of the people and by the people, with checks and balances like a free press and separate Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches of Government.

Bush and his corporate backers have gained control of the U.S. Government and the main-stream media through bribes, extortion, and acquisitions. There is no longer a free press. All branches of Government are just puppets of big business.

I think the general public feels that government is not working for the people as indicated by polls that show what the public thinks about the President and Congress. The main-stream media however is able to keep the lid on any citizen revolt by controlling what the public sees and hears.

The only hope I have for America is if a spiritual awakening should happen such that people who think doing what is best for America and it's people is much more important than power and money choose to run for office.

Another possible turning point is the Internet and it's power to give voice to other views of the world.

by Philip Pease (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 128 comments) on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 10:41:05 AM

Cal Poly Pomona Sociology Professor. Co-editor/author (with Peter Phillips) of "Impeach the President: the Case Against Bush and Cheney."
Dr. Dennis LooCal Poly Pomona Sociology Professor. Co-editor/author (with Peter Phillips) of "Impeach the President: the Case Against Bush and Cheney."

an awakening

We need to be very concrete about what people can do and about what needs to be done right now. Because the leading institutions of the society absolutely refuse to do what must be done and what is right, it is up to the people, you and me, to do what must be done.

This isn't on the one hand, easy, because people are accustomed to following the lead - and relying upon - their leaders: public officials and mass media.

What must happen now requires that people step out of that habit and act independently and individually to raise our voices against the monstrous things being done.

The logic of what Bush and Cheney have spearheaded is obvious if you think about it: nothing, absolutely nothing, stands in the way of accomplishing their program as long as their basic rationale remains unchallenged - the idea that American lives are better than those of non-Americans.

On the other hand, what needs to be done is disarmingly simple. Show in your daily life how you feel. Declare your opposition to torture, unjust war, and tyranny. Wear orange everywhere you go.

Some people say: what good will that do? The answer is also simple: we need the mass sentiment against what's going on to become a visible, material force. Every single person who begins doing this is creating a different atmosphere around them and establishing a different political pole for others to gather around. A single person of conscience has a great deal of power because the existing authorities are so utterly bankrupt. As more and more people do this, and as we reach critical mass (around 1% of the population), then many things that are now impossible, open up as possibilities.

As World Can't Wait has said: "If you're against this but don't show it, it doesn't count. If you act, but act too late, then it doesn't matter."

by Dr. Dennis Loo (15 articles, 1 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 31 comments) on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 11:51:48 AM

Anti-war activist, mother of U.S. Marine currently on his way to Iraq for a 3rd tour of duty; member of Steering Committee for the "World Can't Wait, Drive Out the Bush Regime" and Military Families Speak Out.
Elaine BrowerAnti-war activist, mother of U.S. Marine currently on his way to Iraq for a 3rd tour of duty; member of Steering Committee for the "World Can't Wait, Drive Out the Bush Regime" and Military Families Speak Out.

Wearing Orange

I agree. In my daily life, and I work full time, I wear an orange bandana tied to my purse. And a yellow ribbon on my Coach bag! I work in downtown Manhattan and everyone does turn to look at it. Occasionally people will ask, and I tell them what it stands for. they like the idea, and I give them a ribbon to wear. I have probably gotten 10 people to wear ribbons, and it's posted on www.declareitnow.ning.com. Anyone interested, should sign up and show your resistance!

by Elaine Brower (16 articles, 3 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 19 comments) on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 5:03:49 PM

Stanimal is ???

I hear cries for freedom elsewhere, while the US becomes less so. I hear support for free markets, then demanding a bailout due to incompetence.
I roll my eyes at those that accuse others being oppressed while the US has and still continues to the same and much worse. Laughing at pinheads who purchase and profit from those they curse.

Every time I return to visit I see a country I no longer recognize. A shredded Constitution, a spineless Congress ...

to see more of bio, click on member name
StanimalStanimal is ???

I hear cries for freedom elsewhere, while the US becomes less so. I hear support for free markets, then demanding a bailout due to incompetence.
I roll my eyes at those that accuse others being oppressed while the US has and still continues to the same and much worse. Laughing at pinheads who purchase and profit from those they curse.

Every time I return to visit I see a country I no longer recognize. A shredded Constitution, a spineless Congress ...

to see more of bio, click on member name

Bu$h & Co. are using directives

that have been slowly been put into place over the past 30 years, and what we are witnessing is these powers starting to be implemented.

If Bill was "impeached" over a lie about a personal matter, then All former and current Bu$h & Co. should be impeached, with guilty verdicts of Treason issued before being handed over to the Hague for War Crimes. They then need to spend their life sentences at Gitmo enduring what "Enemy Combatant's" have received, for their pre-empted tactics based on lies to augment illegal occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq.

I refer to the continuing misguided foreign policy snafu's as the "War Of Terror", since it is Bu$h & Co. who began this travesty with the false flag operation of 9/11. People of the world were shown the "Shock & Awe" these fascist's "Goon's & Thug's" are willing to unleash so as to follow through on an imperialistic agenda of control of the ME oil supply.

They monopolize the illegal amassing of profits while culling a sect (Muslim) of the "Useless Eaters" population they deem unfit with their "Crusade".

I too am embarrassed of being an American citizen while the self-appointed administration of Bu$h & Co. continue their terroristic aggression policies against all who are not a part of the "Either With Us Or against Us" mentality.

by Stanimal (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 18 diaries, 493 comments) on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 5:26:15 PM

veteran, teacher, peace activist
Ramon Pugaveteran, teacher, peace activist

Let's be clear,

When it comes to sacrificing others lives, the fascista state takes no note of citizenship, witness the 9/11 deliberate murder of 3,000 citizens of the world. The sacrificial 4,000+ US armed forces only matter as the corporate press allows it to rise to a level of public discourse. The vampire elite only recognize the privilege of class based on net worth.

by Ramon Puga (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 30 comments) on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 6:23:08 PM

Brett Paatsch is an Australian born secular humanist with degrees in management and science and an interest in politics. He is a former pro-American that wishes to be pro-American again and thinks the impeachment and repudiation of President George W Bush for the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 is necessary to reestablish trust in American signatures on international treaties and confidence in the global rule of law.
Brett PaatschBrett Paatsch is an Australian born secular humanist with degrees in management and science and an interest in politics. He is a former pro-American that wishes to be pro-American again and thinks the impeachment and repudiation of President George W Bush for the invasion of Iraq in March 2003 is necessary to reestablish trust in American signatures on international treaties and confidence in the global rule of law.

Impeachment is/was the ONLY peaceful solution

I suspect few want to think about the consequences of Presidents breaking humankinds most important social contracts with impugnity but of course anything that important and conspicuous will have consequences.

Torture and aggressive invasion weren't previously prohibitted on political whim.

Impeachment is/was the ONLY peaceful solution.

Before Nelson Mandela was an old statesman he was a young man. Sometimes the only choices are between degrees of violence.

I don't know exactly how history proceeds without impeachment but I can't see any peaceful resolution to a state in which Presidents can torture and aggressively invade against their treaty obligations and their own oaths.

If national democracies can't or won't check rogue national leaders then national democracies aren't good enough and humans will find something different.

The United States can't treat the whole world like American Indians without creating Geronimos and billions of sympathisers.

by Brett Paatsch (0 articles, 2 quicklinks, 22 diaries, 1010 comments) on Thursday, May 1, 2008 at 9:50:24 PM

Patricia Ormsby is an environmental and health activist living Fujinomiya, Japan. She obtained her bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1981 and studied Linguistics at the University of Michigan Graduate School before moving to Japan in 1984, where she has worked since as a language teacher and translator of Japanese and Russian technical documents. She hang glides and climbs mountains and has led several ecotours to Siberia, Canada and the United States....

to see more of bio, click on member name
Patricia 0rmsbyPatricia Ormsby is an environmental and health activist living Fujinomiya, Japan. She obtained her bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Colorado in 1981 and studied Linguistics at the University of Michigan Graduate School before moving to Japan in 1984, where she has worked since as a language teacher and translator of Japanese and Russian technical documents. She hang glides and climbs mountains and has led several ecotours to Siberia, Canada and the United States....

to see more of bio, click on member name

Good Idea

I love this idea of wearing orange to draw people's attention to the crisis. I think many people are appalled by our government, but because the media put across the impression that there is nothing to be alarmed about (except terrorists), they feel isolated and alienated. If everyone who agrees Bush and Cheney should be impeached for choreographing (such an apt word!) torture wears orange as conspicuously as possible, more people may be emboldened to speak out or take action. I live in Japan, but even here, the media tend to parrot America's MSM. There are occasionally very good documentaries on the national NHK station and most people know things are rotten in America--they have more awareness on 911 than most Americans--but they just don't know how bad it has gotten recently. This would be a good conversation starter.

by Patricia 0rmsby (3 articles, 5 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 133 comments) on Saturday, May 3, 2008 at 7:54:54 AM