'A Coup Has Occurred' By Daniel Ellsberg

[Melissa G]

consortiumnews.com

'A Coup Has Occurred'

By Daniel Ellsberg
September 26, 2007 (Text of a speech delivered September 20, 2007)

Editor’s Note: Daniel Ellsberg, the former Defense Department analyst who leaked the secret Pentagon Papers history of the Vietnam War, offered insights into the looming war with Iran and the loss of liberty in the United States at an American University symposium on Sept. 20.

Below is an edited transcript of Ellsberg’s remarkable speech:

I think nothing has higher priority than averting an attack on Iran, which I think will be accompanied by a further change in our way of governing here that in effect will convert us into what I would call a police state.

If there’s another 9/11 under this regime … it means that they switch on full extent all the apparatus of a police state that has been patiently constructed, largely secretly at first but eventually leaked out and known and accepted by the Democratic people in Congress, by the Republicans and so forth.

more...
http://www.consortiumnews.com/Print/2007/092607a.html

[snappyturtle]

1. This is such a good article...scary but I think we should all take heed.

Could you also post this in General Discussion? I know I've read it before, rather recently here at DU, however, it's an eye opener many should read....and may have missed earlier. Thanks for posting it. K&R'd it as soon as I saw it and immediately sent it to several more people!

[Melissa G]

5. Done. Thanks. n/t

[snappyturtle]

6. THANK YOU!!! nt

[Dr.Phool]

2. He's absolutely right.

We no longer have a representative democracy. We have a bunch of smiling fascists ruling the country now. More interested in getting re-elected and preserving majorities in both houses.

I ask again. What good is our majority doing.

Nothing.

[RufusEarl]

3. Nothing new here, i've heard this discussed here at DU allot.

We're one attack away from a police state, be it a real or perceived attack. This worries me allot, with just a little over a year left in office Bu$h has plenty of time to pull this off.

Peace!

[Echo In Light]

4. Bingo

Plenty of people sounding the warning bell about this...

[snappyturtle]

7. I think the problem is that citizens don't think it , a police state,

could happen in the good ol' U.S. of A.!

[Lisa]

8. excellent point -- they assume that, by definition, it cannot happen ...

... so therefore anything that does seem to bear a close resemblance to a police state simply IS NOT such a thing.

Just as "America doesn't torture" (so says Bush) -- and all the things that are being inflicted on prisoners cannot therefore be defined as torture. Simple as that.

[polichick]

9. Exactly...

Just like an "upstanding" citizen who is beating the heck out of his wife can't really be an abuser. It's amazing the twists and turns a mind can take when invested in denial!

[superkia]

10. Why do I only hear Kucinich talking out about the attack on our rights?

Why is it the guy that is constantly speaking out about the attack on the constitution, is the candidate that so many say is unelectable? I think we are going to get what is coming to us in the future if we aren't bright enough or brave enough to stand up and vote for change. I just wish I didn't have to go with the majority of Americans because I think our constitution and our rights should be the number one issue when we vote but it seems its not? I don't even know what most people look at as their main issue in voting? Kucinich wants out of the war but he is unelectable, Kucinich wants to restore the constitution but hes unelectable, Kucinich wants to take the profit out of health care so everyone is covered but he is unelectable? I can go on but it doesn't seem to matter to most, there is some other issue that is at the forefront of Americans minds when it comes to this election and I have no clue what it is.

I see lots of complaining but not too many people willing to make change in the type of candidates we seem to want in office, it really makes no sense to me. We are going to be the cause of the destruction of our country and I hope when it happens people will at least stand up and take blame for their part because we are the ones picking these people.