Bush's Desperation Agenda

[Demeter]

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_bob_burn_060517_bush_s_desperation_a.htm

Bush's Desperation Agenda
by Bob Burnett

History teaches that when faced with desperate circumstances, humans will engage in bizarre behavior, such as cannibalism or ritual sacrifice. It may be too early to report that the White House menu includes Cheney pot roast, but it is clear that Dubya and company are in a very bad spot. A crisis has forced them to abandon their plans and offer America a desperation agenda.

The President’s Monday night TV address is another indication of the hopeless situation the White House is in. Bush’s immigration “plan” pleased no one, but he’s stuck with it. His administration has lost its rudder and is being guided by the strongest wind blowing at the moment...

The President’s second-term agenda has failed and the mood in the White House has turned from ebullience to panic. Sitting in the ruins of a failed strategy, recognizing that Bush’s political capital is gone and his popularity is evaporating, the Administration has turned to a desperation agenda: social issues. In June the Senate will consider a constitutional amendment to limit the definition of marriage to between a man and a woman. Later they will consider another constitutional amendment making it a crime to burn the American flag. Meanwhile, conservatives demand legislation to outlaw transporting minors across state lines for abortions and increasing fines for broadcasting obscenity....

As Bush’s numbers plummet, increasing number of “safe” Republican seats are vulnerable. The latest Time magazine reports that Democratic newcomer Jim Webb and incumbent Virginia Republican George Allen are now tied in the polls. Senator Allen was once mentioned as a possible 2008 presidential candidate, but he has suffered because of his blind support for the war and the President.





Bob Burnett is a Berkeley writer and Quaker actvist. He is particularly interested in progressive morality and writes frequently on the ethical aspects of political and social issues.

[neoblues]

1. It Pleases.

While it's pleasing to see them desperate... they are likely to engage in increasingly serious effort to pander to the extremists in the right wing. "If you promise to reelect us, we'll be sure to appoint those 24 ultra-conservative federal judges..., and if you don't, remember, we may not be able to continue the 'good work'"... Gaggh! That and the issues in the article and who knows what...

Whatleaves me with a hint of a nervous feeling, though, is what they did (could have done, may have done, might not have done, or didn't do ;) ) the last time their numbers weren't worth measuring and they had an agenda they wanted to pursue... KA-BOOM... and suddenly--as insane as it sounds--this Administration would see a massive boost once again. It won't be as big, nor as long-lasting as last time, but that--I fear--wouldn't deter them.
Surely they didn't and surely they wouldn't...

Related quotes/phrases and movie logic (real, made-up, potentially altered). The infamous "I'm not paranoid, they are out to get me!", plus "At least, they might be...". As someone somewhere wrote (a telling question)... "Who do you fear most? Terrorists or Your Government (aka--the Bush Administration)? Though, as a certain movie said "People shouldn't be afraid of their Government, the Government should be afraid of the People!".

[Demeter]

2. I Think This "Government" IS Terrified of the People Already

Starting with the egging of his limo on Inauguration Day, Dubya has been panicked by your basic American citizen. He's running scared for good reason. He has committed so many crimes, on so many levels, that we'd have to clone him to eke out enough years and enough executions to cover them all, starting with stealing the first election, and going on from there.

Why else the "freedom Zones" which are anything but, the careful screening and tight security at any and every so-called public appearance, the Patriot Act, the wiretaps, the detention centers, the destruction of New Orleans?

In a way, I feel a tiny drop of compassion for George--nobody should live in such a constant state of fear. Which is one drop more compassion than he will ever feel for anybody.

[cliss]

3. Nice editorial.

While I don't believe their failures have suddenly dawned on them - they've known for quite a while that Iraq and Afgh. were a mess - it's just now becoming apparent to the average American.

They've known, but now we know, and they know that.

"I love to see them sweat"

A great quote: "The only people that the leaders really fear are Americans. Not the French, not the Germans. Americans."