The forces of totalitarianism and tyranny are on the march. Our senators may conform and confirm, but will we endure these tyrannies?

::::::::

                           The Enemy Amongst Us

    The forces of totalitarianism and tyranny are on the march. As Walt Kelly’s Pogo said “I have met the enemy and he is us.” To condone is to become complicit in the crime. The Attorney General nominee would condone torture and  the violation  of our civil liberties. More importantly our Democratic senators Schumer and Feinstein support his confirmation. Ben Franklin said “He who would give up liberty for security, deserve neither.” What part of this don’t they understand?

    This administration has practiced psychological warfare on the  public since 9/11. Their whole foreign and domestic agenda is predicated on the specter of fighting terrorism in a war with no end.  We have been led to believe we must become a fortress nation, with walled borders, draconian measures against illegal  immigrants , curtailment of civil liberties, terror alerts, and unlimited powers to the executive, abdicated by the congress and the courts, This is the Israeli model, where they have  literally  walled themselves in, a concentration camp mentality. How successful are they, surrounded by enemies, in constant fear of terrorist attack, and in perpetual war with their neighbors?

    In the six years since 9/11, we have the Patriot Act I and II, the Military
Commissions Act, the Defense Authorization Act, NSPD 51, and soon brought to you by the Department of Homeland Security, Real ID Cards. We are  becoming a National Security State. These Acts have led to Preemptive War, Indefinite Detention, Enhanced Interrogation, and Extraordinary Rendition. After just getting rid of Alberto Gonzalez, who openly defended these illegal and immoral practices, why would senators Schumer and Feinstein support a nominee who won’t offer an opinion on their illegality?

    The Constitution, our Bill of Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights are being shredded by this administration and a complicit , both Republican and Democratic congress who took an oath to defend them.  It would be wise indeed to heed the words of Fredrick Douglass, “The limits of tyrants are prescribed by the endurance of those whom they oppress”. Our senators may confirm, but will we endure these tyrannies?

Authors Bio:
veteran, teacher, peace activist