He's at it again. Speaking before yet another "staged" group of supporters, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Bush is chastising Americans for speaking the truth. What a bully!

Who does he think he's fooling? Let me answer my own question. He's snookering all the people like those who sat nodding behind him, the sleeping public, who are allowing George W. to remain with his hands grasping the wheel. But he is driving his passengers over the edge of the cliff.

Bush "welcomes critics" and "loyal opposition." He actually said, "Loyal opposition is one thing; defeatism is another." What? We all know that this man can't take criticism. We've seen him close to a tantrum when vexed. And to the president, there's really no such thing as loyal opposition. We are either with him or against him. Let me continue to weigh in, heavily, among the thorns in his side rather than with those on his side. And the part about defeatism--plenty of generals have used the "D" word. Congressman John Murtha, who actually experienced war, has used it and is demanding that the troops return NOW.

Another blow to Bush's distorted plan: Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq has shifted his position from his original pledge for an "inclusive constitutional order" to backing autonomy for the Shiite southeast. This stance is a prescription for civil war.

Meanwhile, Bush recently stated, "In a free society, there's only one check on political speech and that's the judgment of the American people."

If we had a president with good judgment, so many of us wouldn't have to be speaking out today.

Furthermore, for him to utter "free society" during this strange time in our history is perplexing. We no longer have a free society if we're being told by Bush that we should be loyal to his decisions.

I keep thinking about the many times I've read or heard people who support the war in Iraq say, "Freedom isn't free." But the leader of what used to be the Free World is now telling all of us that by opposing his agenda, we are providing comfort to the enemy.

It's time for us to identify the enemy.

We have a president who is spying on Americans illegally. He has not given approval to listen only to those with possible links to terrorists, but he's also allowing the wiretapping of ordinary citizens who are exercising their right to express opinions--even peace activists. We are being strong-armed and castigated if we speak against a war that never should have been waged. And we are not, under any circumstances, to mention the colossal deficiencies of a president who really lost both elections.

In another speech in Louisville, Kentucky to justify the war and his illegal spying, Bush said, "I put my hand on the Bible." Maybe, he should read the New Testament and let its words guide him. If he did this, he would be the peace president, my nephew would be alive as would all our troops who have died for nothing, and Iraq would not be in chaos with as many as 200,000 dead at the hands of the failed policies of George W. Bush. But the pain of the families of the dead means little to Bush Inc. as it promotes genocide for oil and profit. The president also said, "The war came to us." Not true. Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 but Bush continues to make the link.

We're in trouble and George Bush realizes it. Sustenance for the war in Iraq has tanked. Support for George W. is down. So what does he do? He rallies his adherents. He stands in front of the smiling, applauding groupies who believe him when he says he is the only one who can protect us in this global war on terror. Those who aren't hypnotized by his words are frightened and that's what he demands. If we're afraid, he is able to control. And what a control freak he is!

"Freedom isn't free." But we were free and we're not anymore. We've surrendered to fear and propaganda. "Be afraid."

Samuel Alito believes in an all-powerful presidency. George Bush believes in an all-powerful George Bush.

And we, the electorate, have lost our power. We've handed it to the enemy.