Paranoia Strikes Deep

Okay, I admit it. As the election approaches, I am feeling a creepy sense of paranoia. My right brain reads the newspapers, studies the polls and thinks we are looking at a blow-out next month--Dems conquer at last. My left brain hoots in derision. Get real, sucker.

The run-up has been pure fun for me: Generals leak the National Intelligence Estimate. Rep. Foley falls from grace. Senator Macaca blows his lead. The reports from the field are more than promising. The hard news has trumped every move by Bush-Rove to win once again on their usual fear and smear campaign.

Yet the least little thing jerks away my optimism, like ripping off a scab that's not quite healed. When I heard the news flash that a plane had crashed into a Manhattan apartment tower, I didn't think, how horrible. I said to myself: those rotten bastards in the White House.

I wasn't thinking terrorists. I was thinking the Bush regime had gone to new extremes in its search for a believable "red alert." That tactic is worn out, it's been used so many times in election seasons. Instead, why not blow up a chunk of New York City to remind folks how scary life can be in these United States? Okay, that thought is irrational (also slanderous). But office conversations the next day told me I was not alone.

Like Alex Cockburn, I don't play conspiracy-theory games. The plots are always too complicated and assign too much skill and foresight to the alleged conspirators. If wicked politicians or the "ruling class" were that smart, America would never lose a war.

But, boy, am I feeling vulnerable these days to ugly surprises. The last few weeks, helicopters and small planes have been buzzing heavily over my neighborhood in northwest Washington. What's that about? I asked a neighbor and he laughed weakly. Maybe Cheney had a heart attack and they're flying him to Bethesda Naval Hospital. Maybe it's just a trial run for the big one.

In the office elevator, I bumped into an old friend, a reporter from Dow Jones. (Yes, the Wall Street Journal and The Nation can co-exist in the same building (this is incestuous Washington and we all think of ourselves as kindred insiders). My friend is a smart and observant conservative who doesn't peddle cheap partisan opinions.

Democrats, he told me, won't get more than eight to ten seats in the House, forget the Senate. What? Why? Money and method, he said. Between blanketing TV with killer ads and turning out the righteous right-wing base, the Republicans are in the process of buying it one more time.

I got off the elevator and found myself trembling. Didn't want to argue with him, didn't want to hear more about what he knew.  He might convince me.  

Forget facts. I just want it be over. Soon. Actually, right now.

Comments (59)

1. Mr Grieder...isn't this just setting yourself up for a "win-win" scenario?

   If Dems win (as in take the House, maybe Senate too)....hip-hip-hooray, "The people woke up", "Neo or just plain conservatism is dead", blah, blah, blah.

   If the Dems lose (as in don't take either body)..."Diebold!!!!"

   Either way, it's not "the Dems had no ideas" or worse, "as bad as Bush and the GOP is, Dems still not seen as an alternative".

   Regardless, I think your friend is wrong. Dems WILL take the House by 2-3 seats, tie (possibly win) the US Senate.

   The REAL disappointment is going to come AFTER THAT. When the Blogosphere Left finds themselves "sold out" come Spring-Summer 2007, when the House Dems play down "investigation and impeachment" and try to present a domestic policy agendaa and embaress Bush into vetoing it.

   Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 1:18pm

2. I think your paranoia is real and based on the fact there is no rush to the dems, rather, just anger at the repubs. The repubs may lose the House rather than the dems win it..and your creepy feeling is derived from the fact the voters are not excited by the dems..at all.

   Posted by john maasch at 10/12/2006 @ 1:25pm

3. What's this demoflack asskisser in a sweat about? The question you have to ask yourself is: "So what if they do?" What's going to change? You think these rightwing republican-lite dems are going to do jackshit? Nice cheapass little dig at Cockburn, btw. He's about ten times the journalist you are on your best day.

   Posted by AlanSmithee at 10/12/2006 @ 1:32pm

4. Nice cheapass little dig at Cockburn, btw. He's about ten times the journalist you are on your best day.

   Posted by ALANSMITHEE 10/12/2006 @ 1:32pm

   What "dig"?....he SAID "Like Alex Cockburn, I don't play conspiracy-theory games."....LIKE Alex Cockburn, not "Unlike Alex"!

   Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 1:36pm

5. What Mr. Greider forgets is that the U.S. doesn't have to win wars for those who really benefit from the current set-up (which has been developing since at least the 1890s)to win. The corporations who supply the equipment, munitions, and other disposable materials necessary for war make money whether the U.S. wins or loses. Notice that those who drive the U.S. government decisions and those who run the corporations are the same people, cycling back and forth from the private to the public sector and back. Am I the only one who thinks that a relatively small group of people has finally succeeded in creating a situation where unlimited public money (our tax dollars) is unstoppably transferred to their own pockets, the only requirement being that the U.S. is involved in a war somewhere? It doesn't matter if we win or lose, since either way they make money. It doesn't matter if the cause is just or not, since Congress will never prevent a war from happening or limit its scope. It doesn't matter if the people approve of the war or not, because not enough of them vote to make a difference. Could there be people so greedy and cynical and heartless? A former secretary of state said she thought that the deaths of half a million Iraqi children was a price worth paying for whatever it was she thought we gained through the sanctions against Iraq in the 1990s. The Project for a New American Century (look up the list of people who wrote it) is a prescription for domination, violence, and the unaccountable exercise of power throughout the world. The history of the U.S. is punctuated with violent military interventions on behalf of American corporations, justified in every case by appeals to lofty principles such as democracy, peace, and freedom, but leading only to death, destruction, and profits for the Americans. Yes, there are people that greedy and cynical, and many of them are currently in the administration. To them, it really doesn't matter if the president is a Republican or a Democrat. Neither party will oppose a war. It doesn't matter if the administration is competent or not. An incompetent administration is actually better, since it distracts those awake enough to notice and care from their real purposes. No elaborate conspiracy has been needed. The project - the total hijacking of the U.S. government for the benefit of a few people who profit from war - has been and continues to be effectively cloaked in patriotic rhetoric, part of a consistent narrative justifying conquest, theft, genocide, and racism since the birth of our country. People who don't want to acknowledge the real history of this country have been willing - even eager - to fool themselves. "Yes, our motives are good! Always have been! I'm sure our leaders meant well in Iraq. Here's some more money, gentlemen. Keep going!" The alternative is to see the shameful and unvarnished truth about ourselves. Yes, we have been fools. Yes, our history is one of unexampled violence and racism. Yes, we are now being ripped off by cruel and conscienceless greed-mad people. Yes, it will go on until we see it for what it really is and act collectively to change it.

   Posted by Goat at 10/12/2006 @ 1:41pm

6. The REAL disappointment is going to come AFTER THAT. When the Blogosphere Left finds themselves "sold out" come Spring-Summer 2007...

   Posted by MASK 10/12/2006 @ 1:18pm

   I was told that the REAL disappointment will happen next week when David Kuo's new book comes out and the religious right finds out they were sold out by BushCo...

   Posted by nathanhale at 10/12/2006 @ 1:49pm

7. Another anti corporation nut..so the evil of the planet is the advent of the corporation.... Another kook..

   It keeps getting better and better...Goat, you need to take a trip and see Darla...you are perfect for each other..you can get together in her yurt and fix the world, smoke some rope and philosophize...

   Posted by john maasch at 10/12/2006 @ 1:51pm

8. "Neither party will oppose a war...... Yes, it will go on until we see it for what it really is and act collectively to change it."

   Posted by GOAT 10/12/2006 @ 1:41pm

   okay....HOW?

   You just "wrote off" the Democratic Party as co-conspirators?

   Again, going down the "Green/Nader" path ...which gave us 2000?

   Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 1:51pm

9. Posted by NATHANHALE 10/12/2006 @ 1:49pm

   Oh...wow.....gee......great.......ANOTHER "book that will blow the lid off the Bush Administration and start the Revolution that will end Republican dominance!!!!"

   How many is that now?...I lost count around 2003!

   And then, let me guess, the Religious Right decides to stay out of politics and Dems and liberal Repubs win forever....right?

   Oddly, I'm figuring that Dobson, Perkins, Robertson, and Falwell....aren't looking to retire anytime soon!

   Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 1:54pm

10. nice piece mr. G.

    good for you to not entertain any conspiracy theories. not only are they unsettling and disturbing, but anyone who does not totally disavow them is a nut. best to not even look at them too closely. its not like a group of slick, well funded sociopaths could possibly infest our democratically payed for - i mean elected - government and commit atrocities. this is america! we are the good guys. we never do anything bad. to even think such, much less say it is tantamount to treason. therefore it is not possible.

    how about criminal negligence, though?

    Posted by ibbleblibble at 10/12/2006 @ 1:58pm

11. Goat, I am genuinely interested in what you have to say, but I found your post unreadable. hit your return button twice once in a while to make paragraphs, then it will be readable. OK?

    Posted by johannesrolf at 10/12/2006 @ 2:04pm

12. I too have a sense of foreboding about this election. Regardless of the polls right now favoring Democrats, I fear that the GOP will suddening put together a "surprise" come from behind win and that all the newspapers will basically put their stamp on the results as being fair and honest and call anyone who says otherwise a "conspiracy nut". Even though there is plenty of evidence that the last two presidential elections were stolen by the right and that the results especially in 2004 showed statistical anomalities that are in the range of near impossible, there still has not been much of a discussion, especially in the main stream media. Moreover, I have heard many people say that Rove has promised a paradigm changing October Suprise that is going to be released next week. My guess is that the polls are going to take a sudden turn to the GOP, whatever the event. Naturally the right wing's media channels will certify the change and convince people that it's normal and real. I sincerely hope I am wrong and that the election is fair, etc., but when I look at the actions of the Bush Administration and their constant grabs for power at the expense of the Constitution, I just don't see them "allowing" a victory for Democrats when the price they pay could ultimately be impeachment.

    Posted by Erik at 10/12/2006 @ 2:25pm

13. Erik,

    I agree with what you are saying....although I think the stakes for the Administartion are substantially higher than impeachment....once the Congessional investigations get rolling with subpeona power the Administration is highly likely to find itself under criminal investigation.

    Posted by freedomplease at 10/12/2006 @ 2:35pm

14. I just don't see them "allowing" a victory for Democrats when the price they pay could ultimately be impeachment.

    Posted by ERIK 10/12/2006 @ 2:25pm |

    How about a WORSE theory ERIK? They "allow it" and impeachment doesn't come anyway?

    Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 2:42pm

15. To Freedomplease:

    Yes, instead of saying "could ultimately be impeachment" I should have said something like "could certainly be impeachment and perhaps criminal indictments and the resulting public exposure might well completely untrack their conservative revolution." Thanks for pointing out my lack of precision.

    Posted by Erik at 10/12/2006 @ 2:43pm

16. To Mask:

    I agree that in this strange political environment that too is a possibility. It makes things rather disheartening, doesn't it?

    Posted by Erik at 10/12/2006 @ 2:44pm

17. Posted by ERIK 10/12/2006 @ 2:44pm

    No...just not the para-masturbatory fantasy (heard that on the X-files once, thought it was hilarious) that the Blogosphere want.

    It's not about "justice" or even "embaressing Bush"...it's about revenge for 2000 (not even 2004).

    I was hearing about "impeachment petition websites" in 2002!

    And it does NOTHING but hurt the Democrats if they got associated with it.

    What HELPS them is REALLY embaressing Bush by passing some popular legislation and making him veto it, or sign it and prove that Dems CAN govern the country and they walk into the White House in 2008.

    But if it's "another national nightmare" like the GOP put us through with Clinton in 1999....then Bush sucking as a President and Dems "seeking justice for his innumerable crimes" isn't going to be enough for the voters in 2008....and McCain wins and brings back a GOP Congress with him!

    Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 3:10pm

18. Posted by MASK 10/12/2006 @ 1:54pm

    I see Todd the eye-for-an-eye-sportsguy doesn't come around here like he used to...

    Posted by nathanhale at 10/12/2006 @ 3:14pm

19. If the right wing haters like mask and mr. maasch would get a life - any kind of life besides endlessly posting comments on a daily basis on sites like the Nation - maybe they wouldn't be so miserable in their everyday lives. I don't care that you have nothing original to say or that you hate with such a passion - you are representative of most of the right-wingers I know - but good grief. Every day this is all you seem to have time to do. Get a job. Or a girlfriend. Or a boy page of your own! I actually feel kind of sorry for you.

    Posted by Steve1us at 10/12/2006 @ 3:43pm

20. Posted by NATHANHALE 10/12/2006 @ 3:14pm

    NATHAN, turn it around the OTHER way.

    Say there was talk of "Dems don't really care about the civil rights coalition, Jesse Jackson, Sharpton, the Black Caucus"....and some Dem Congressman had been outed as attending a Klan rally in October as well....but they had Bush as President, GOP Congress, etc. (as now)...

    are the "black leadership" going to stay home or just "give up" on politics because a book (by a conservative, to continue the analogy to your Mr. Kuo) and say "well, that's it. Gave it a shot. Guess we're stuck with evil GOP and evil Dems and our agenda is dead"?

    Think that would happen? What WOULD they do...and why won't the Religious Righties do the same thing?

    Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 3:44pm

21. Posted by MASK 10/12/2006 @ 3:44pm

    Not sure I need to engage in your thought experiments when polling trends indicate that some of the "values voters" are being stripped away from the Repubs

    Example from pollingreport.com

    "Do you think the Republicans in Congress or the Democrats in Congress would do a better job of dealing with each of the following issues and problems? How about Moral standards in the country?

    Republicans .... Democrats ... No Difference .. Unsure ..Dem +/-

    .....37%..............44%................ 13% ................. 6%....... +7%

    Posted by nathanhale at 10/12/2006 @ 4:03pm

22. Steve,

    You are somewhat new here or just plain dimwited..I have a job and a comapny with many partnerships, and pay more in taxes than you probable make,I am not miserable in my life but quite satisfied, I do have a wife and I don't cheat on her so a girlfriend is out of the question, I am not a fag and can never understand the process one goes through when faced with a choice between a beautiful girl with all the wonderful curves and valleys and a hairy asshole, that one stands up , with pride, and says give me the ass,...never the less, I feel he is free to exercise his life as he sees fit without me telling him no, I don't hate anyone but feel sorry for many(you have joined the ranks there), I am a conservative in a country of very few conservatives and none in government, and if you think I am a right winger filled with hate, then you are a left wing kook...be proud...

    BTW this is a blog and posting comments and discussions is what happens here...no matter what you might think of them...are you wanting to censor the place? Mr. liberal open free for all genius?

    Posted by john maasch at 10/12/2006 @ 4:17pm

23. Nathan,

    Doesn't the 7% +/- thing make it a statisical tie and therefore meaningless?

    Posted by john maasch at 10/12/2006 @ 4:19pm

24. Posted by NATHANHALE 10/12/2006 @ 4:03pm

    Generics are great, NATHAN.

    Problem comes in the specific. Those (maybe you) who think Dems are going to ride in on a wave of "Democrats represent my moral values" are looking for a crash into the rocks.

    The Religious Righties are going to consider the Dems BETTER than the Repubs, when specific issues of gay marriage, abortion, church & state, etc. start showing up.

    I don't understand the "logic" behind this belief that either...A. The Religious Right a power in politics for 30 years is going to "go away"....or B. They are suddenly going to decide that the party that is (in its platform) pro-choice, pro-gay rights, anti-church & state "mixing", anti-prayer in school...is "the party for them" because a few (taken Hastert, Reynolds, AND Foley together) Repubs aren't "watching out for the fag child molestors".

    The Dems will likely win the House, maybe win the Senate...but they are NOT going to win the Christian conservatives....and if you think they're dead...as was thought in 1992 and 1996...think again!

    Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 4:20pm

25. MAASCH - You're going off today! Take no prisoners! :-)

    Posted by woodyee at 10/12/2006 @ 4:35pm

26. Posted by MASK 10/12/2006 @ 4:20pm

    I agree the Dems are not going to win Christian Conservative males. But the Repubs are slipping among their womenfolk. And, again, when was the last time you saw Todd around here? He's been staying home lately; maybe he'll stay home on election day...or maybe, just maybe, he'll go out & vote a vote that sends the Repubs a message...???

    Posted by nathanhale at 10/12/2006 @ 4:41pm

27. Yah, what Mask said! Settin' yourself up for a win-win situation! You liberals are sooooooo predictable!

    Posted by barry25 at 10/12/2006 @ 5:15pm

28. I don't know about the rest of the country, but here in Tennessee Harold Ford Jr is doing a good job of counter-punching the negative ads from Bob Corker in the Senate race. Also, politics aside, Jr is a fantastic candidate, while Corker is pretty stale.

    You can really tell the national GOP is worried about this one. Here in Memphis we're getting a non-stop dose of comparing Jr to Ted Kennedy and Hillary ... same old playbook, you guys know the drill. But I'm beginning to think it isn't going to work this time - at least not down here.

    A neat byproduct of a Ford victory will be that Obama will almost surely throw his hat in the ring for '08 ... if an African-American can win a Senate seat in the south, that bodes very well for the gentleman from Illinois who would like to be president.

    Posted by EnviroVarmint at 10/12/2006 @ 5:48pm

29. I don't know about the rest of the country, but here in Tennessee Harold Ford Jr is doing a good job of counter-punching the negative ads from Bob Corker in the Senate race. Also, politics aside, Jr is a fantastic candidate, while Corker is pretty stale.

    Posted by ENVIROVARMINT 10/12/2006 @ 5:48pm

    Harold Ford voted not to reauthorize the "PATRIOT" Act because he thought it was too weak, told Senate Dems that they shouldn't filibuster Alito, voted for the torture bill, voted for the bankruptcy bill, and is pro-war. Vote for Chris Lugo!

    Posted by green2006 at 10/12/2006 @ 6:14pm

30. MASK - you come across as the penultimate cynic, not skeptic, but cynic. A cynic ONLY disbelieves, and as such it is an empty existence in that you offer nothing, you merely negate anything offered by others.

    Mr. Greider has expressed concern for the survival of our republic. Whether his concern is legitimate or not is not the point. He has a right to it. We may read and agree or read and disagree but to deny him the right to express it is beneath you.

    Posted by felicity at 10/12/2006 @ 6:41pm

31. MASK, your Republican hamster exercise wheel is spinning at a faster speed than your little legs can keep up with. Are the Republican's sinking polls making you more shortwinded than you were six months ago? I seem to recall you pooh-poohing a Democratic Congress in 2006. Now it's, "Yeah, but they won't impeach Bush."

    Bwa-ha-ha-ha-Ha-ha-ha-ha !!!

    Posted by fromredbird at 10/12/2006 @ 7:20pm

32. "Oddly, I'm figuring that Dobson, Perkins, Robertson, and Falwell....aren't looking to retire anytime soon!"

    Posted by MASK 10/12/2006 @ 1:54pm

    These gentlemen don't have to retire, and their constituencies don't have to accept the democratic party as their lord and personal savior.

    All they have to do is get pissed off and stay home.

    Posted by drhammer at 10/12/2006 @ 7:31pm

33. Mask, regarding you post to Nathan earlier today, you should be aware that we in the Black community, don't care for Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. Those guys along with several members of the NAACP (Julian Bond in particular) and the Congressional Black Caucus have done nothing for our communities as a whole and for that matter, the Dems haven't either. They play the racial and emotional card because they think we're stupid. It infuriates me that a candidate can walk up in my church, get in the pulpit, make a useless speech (and has never attended any services) and expects to get votes on election day. I'm so sick and tired of that crap.

    The 60's still come into view for me.

    Posted by ACook at 10/12/2006 @ 8:07pm

34. Posted by RIO BRAVO 10/12/2006 @ 6:24pm

    RIO....how did your "Christian majority"....lose 1992 and 1996? (and standby for Nov. 7th this year)

    Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 9:20pm

35. Posted by FELICITY 10/12/2006 @ 6:41pm

    Did I deny Mr Grieder his opinion?...no.

    I merely noted that he is establishing a very nice view of the world...one where you're "finally winning"...and one (just as comforting in its way) that you're oppressed and defeated by a "conspiracy" of powerful forces......not that there are fundamental problems with the ideology or the political party who represent you.

    Win and "the Revolution has come"....Lose, and you're still not losing, you're a victim of "the Cabal".

    Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 9:26pm

36. All they have to do is get pissed off and stay home.

    Posted by DRHAMMER 10/12/2006 @ 7:31pm

    Read: Posted by MASK 10/12/2006 @ 3:44pm

    Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 9:28pm

37. Posted by ACOOK 10/12/2006 @ 8:07pm

    Dems still get a 95-97% percentile of the African-American vote....don't even have to work or worry about it.

    Just claim "evil Republican racists like Lott and Bush want to re-introduce Jim Crow...but WE'll protect you!"

    Posted by Mask at 10/12/2006 @ 9:29pm

38. OK...let me get this straight. When a small 4-passenger plane crashes into an apartment building, some people instinctually think "TERRORIST ATTACK!!!" while the minds of other people automatically gravitate to "REPUBLICAN CONSPIRACY!!!"

    What ever happened to a simple, run-of-the-mill plane crash?

    I'm not saying that I don't believe terrorists exist, nor am I saying that I don't believe in Republican conspiracies. But come on, people....this is taking it a bit too far, isn't it???

    When an easily understandable (but very tragic) event happens...all we can think about is either TERRORISM or POLITICS??? In my humble opinion, this is a sign of how out of touch with reality we truly are.

    Please...try to remember that your daily life need not be governed by the twisted radicalism and fearmongering of terrorists, nor by the twisted distortions and fearmongering of politicians.

    (Unless, of course, you are either a terrorist or a politician...in which case I am very sorry for you.)

    Posted by liveeasy at 10/12/2006 @ 10:03pm

39. Just claim "evil Republican racists like Lott and Bush want to re-introduce Jim Crow...but WE'll protect you!"

    Posted by MASK 10/12/2006 @ 9:29pm

    Why would democrats claim that? The republcians can't reintroduce Jim Crow.

    Are you feeling a little paranoid mask? You're posts do have a touch of paranoia about them.

    Posted by Will C. at 10/12/2006 @ 11:47pm

40. I can answer that one Mask.

    Posted by LVLIBERTY1 10/13/2006 @ 12:09am

    yeah, but can you answer this one.

    so luvvy, exactly how am I appeasing the terrorists?

    Posted by Will C. at 10/13/2006 @ 12:41am

41. The GOP may well lose both in November because they didn't stay tough on immigration, didn't cut domestic spending, and tried to be a "Big Tent" by inviting in all those Homosexuals because they agreed to vote for taxcuts. Let them go back to the Dems or even better, the bath houses in Sodom Francisco where they belong.

    Posted by LVLIBERTY1 10/13/2006 @ 12:19am

    -------------------

    Now that's vile!

    Posted by Will C. at 10/13/2006 @ 12:45am

42. but we expect vile things from an evangelic pastard

    Posted by Will C. at 10/13/2006 @ 12:45am

43. If the dems blow this one, as George Will says, they should take up another line of work and the American voters will indicate that they do not give a damn as to what is happening to their country. Nevertheless, I would still take a look at the Diebold programs if that is at all possible after the election. They will probably self-destruct.

    Posted by choices at 10/13/2006 @ 04:50am

44. to compare Billy Graham and Martin Luther King is absurd. King freed a people, Graham toadied up to the powerful, like his pal Nixon.

    Posted by johannesrolf at 10/13/2006 @ 08:25am

45. Has anyone in this administration been guilty of violating the DC Blackmail Statute?

    District of Columbia blackmail statute. D.C. Code § 22-3852 provides that:

    a) A person commits the offense of blackmail, if, with intent to obtain property of another or to cause another to do or refrain from doing any act, that person threatens:

    1) To accuse any person of a crime;

    2) To expose a secret or publicize an asserted fact, whether true or false, tending to subject any person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule; or

    3) To impair the reputation of any person, including a deceased person.

    .

    Karl Rove is guilty of Blackmail and Conspiracy in the Foley matter.

    He flat out told Foley that if he didn't run for office in 2006 - that he would fail at his future lobbying career - something that Rove clearly has total control over.

    While it remains unknown whether Rove was overt enough to threaten Foley by outing his penchant for young boys, it's irrelevant where the law is concerned.

    Rove and Foley both knew that Foley had solicited young boys online - they both knew that their base would be disgusted to learn the truth of that fact - and they both understood clearly that Rove was demanding that Foley remain in politics ("OR ELSE").

    This is Blackmail AND Conspiracy AND fraud.

    ROVE BROKE THE LAW.

    A G A I N ! ! !

    .

    Posted by plunger at 10/13/2006 @ 08:52am

46. Posted by LVLIBERTY1 10/13/2006 @ 12:09am

    Okay, LVLIB....then what will be the excuse for 2006? Foley-gate?

    Posted by Mask at 10/13/2006 @ 08:55am

47. We will win because the republicans need distance from the stench they have created. It is a political necessity, and republicans know how to survive.

    This administration makes the bloody horror of Vietnam feel like the good ol' days.

    After we inherit this disaster from the republicans, withín 4-6 years time we will be painted with the blame. Of course paranoia strikes deep. The Big Brother fears of the Vietnam generation are now an accepted reality. Just because we're paranoid doesn't mean somebody really hasn't taken over our country and our rights.

    Posted by chiaroscura at 10/13/2006 @ 2:20pm

48. A lot of those helicopters were flying over Seattle and Olympia WA for The World Can't Wait Drive Out the Bush Regime protesters on October 5. Can we sit back and "relax" if democrats win next month? Will they be any different than the current group? Will they cave to BushCorp too? Do these democrats have the PEOPLE's interests in mind or do they, like their republican counterparts only have the corporate interests in mind? Only time will tell, but the PEOPLE need to take back the government, the government that is supposed to be by the people for the people. Until there is a massive wave of millions out on the street protesting the slow creep this country is headed towards, which is, if not outright fascism than at the very least authoritarianism, then it doesn't matter what "party" is in charge - our country, as a free country, will exist no more.

    Posted by freeesia at 10/13/2006 @ 2:34pm

49. Posted by FREEESIA 10/13/2006 @ 2:34pm

    FREEESIA, do you believe that "the people" are all left-of-center as you are?

    Is it an "impossibility" that maybe "the people" HAVE been getting the Government they wanted for the last 6, even 30 years?

    Posted by Mask at 10/13/2006 @ 4:05pm

50. Greider is one of the most insightful writers of our generation who is able to connect the economic and political issues of our time and distill them down for our reading pleasure...

    So, dissing him is ridiculous...

    And, i share his sense of gloom that while the polls indicate the electorate generally share Democratic values, the current General Rasputin of BushCo has absolutely no ethics or principles whatsoever and therefore will do whatever it takes to win--regardless of the consequences...

    That Republicans have controlled the body politic for 25 years is testimony to the ignorance of vast legions of voters who punch their ballots based on single issues and largely against their own best interest.

    The continued concentration of wealth, vast subsidies to the successful 'free marketers' that own the media and politicians, the vast imbalances in the domestic and global economy and continued shredding of America's most sacred documents and values is proof that 99% of the citizenry are the famous human batteries in the matrix machine or as Roger Waters says 'another brick in the wall.'

    BushCo are not Republicans as their policies do not promote traditional conservative values of small government, fiscal responsibility, privacy and 'freedom.'

    To think otherwise demonstrates a lack of clarity...the Plutocracy is clearly in control and will toggle whatever levers they can to stay that way...keep up your cheerleading guys and follow the lemming cabal right over the cliff...

    Posted by mikenorris at 10/13/2006 @ 7:25pm

51. Mask must be some bored dude on disability. Hey, nothings wrong with being disabled Maskdude but what's the point of being a keybord junky/ Noone really gives a shit what you or anyone says and noone gives a rats ass about my posts either. Screaming in empty space. So why am I posting? So you can insult me to help your constipation.

    Posted by tleviness at 10/13/2006 @ 11:29pm

52. Posted by TLEVINESS 10/13/2006 @ 11:29pm

    Uh...how did "insult" you???

    Posted by Mask at 10/14/2006 @ 09:57am

53. Posted by chiaroscura at 10/14/2006 @ 11:35am

54. Will the pissing contest never end?

    Posted by chiaroscura at 10/14/2006 @ 11:46am

55. testimony to the ignorance of vast legions of voters who punch their ballots based on single issues and largely against their own best interest. Posted by MIKENORRIS 10/13/2006 @ 7:25pm

    ----------------------

    Huh, kinda like leftwing extremists that will do so only against the Iraq war on terrorism! Posted by RIO BRAVO 10/14/2006 @ 12:39am | ignore this person

    So if one is against the war or wants more active regulation of corporate mental illness they're apparently 'leftwing extremists..'..? Gee, i thought that was garden variety liberal thought...but i guess given the fascist tilt of what used to be standard requblicans that folks like myself just look relatively extreme left...

    And most of us have a list of reasons we vote left, pick one: economic justice, environmental protection, fiscal sanity, transparent government etc. It aint just one thing like abortion or taxes...

    And, since when was the Iraqi war a fight against terrorists...? Thought it was to save the vaunted republic from WMD...? Wait, it was get rid of an evil guy...er, no, it was to bring Democracy to Iraq...no, it's now what--to bring stability and prevent a civil war right...or rather it's to prevent terrorism here so we fight it there...

    It was always really about Oil and Israel or is it the other way around...? Or, perhaps just obscene war profits for the usual scumbag corporations that prop up the current administration...

    Posted by mikenorris at 10/14/2006 @ 5:12pm

56. Goat, You are right. I believe I read somewhere that it was in the late 1880's when the Brown Corporation of Kellog, Brown and Root (KBR) was kicked out of Germany and made it's new home the USA. Typcally I suspect, the beast will eventually get it's fill of us and find a new host to infect. It is truly unfortunate that so many are willing to take sides against their own welfare.

    Posted by dpenn at 10/14/2006 @ 10:28pm

57. "fascist tilt of what used to be standard requblicans"

    Calling the government of the U.S.A. fascist, nothing extremist in that?!

    He said the repubs have a "fascist tilt". Inasmuch as the repubs are neo-facsists and in power, I guess you could paraphrase it that way. Even if is does sound extreme, when filtered through your worldview, it is still a fact.

    "active regulation of corporate mental illness" Nonsensical generalized statement about a businesses legal and tax status? Our founding fathers knew that corporations get senile, or "mentally ill", if you will, at the tender age of sixty. This was the original maximum lifespan granted to a corporation at the conception. "Corporation" is a meaningless term, without the govt. which gives it it's charter. Read. Learn. Think.

    "economic justice(ie.socialism) ...So, property rights, religious and racial tolorance, fair labor/safety standards, proper immigration policy, proper education etc. are just socialism, huh?. Whatever you say dude.

    ...environmental protection (reactionism) ...You are right, who needs clean air, water or a functional ionosphere....we gots god on our side.

    ...fiscal sanity (see multiplicity of various demoncrat congress entitlements) ....See, also, multiplicity of funds, borrowed from our economic enemies, to waste in the desert. Seriously, if you think millions "wasted" on people who need help (With a smattering of scammers), is worse than billions to fatten the coffers of companies, who use the funds to buy more and more of "we the peoples" govt. every year, then you are very lost. Oh yea...nevermind. Can you say DEF-I-CIT? We could have healthcare reform, major infrastructure mantainance (desperately needed) and real, actual security at our ports and borders, FOR LESS THAN THIS BULLSHIT WAR!

    ... "transparent government etc.(straight out of Jimmeny Peanuts mouth to destroy our needed intelligence operations)" ....Yea, who wants tranparency, when you can have, secret spying, tribunals, prisons, torture chambers, affairs with minors, selectively timed "leaks" etc.

    ":And, since when was the Iraqi war a fight against terrorists...?" Terrorists are dying there everyday as fast as Iran can get them over the border which is where the russians took Saddams remaining weapons, the ones not buried in the vast desert! ...OMG. Quick! Let's unburry those weapons we haven't found a trace of, in four years, and rush them to the mountain top. We'll hide them in the ark, which I am sure is there too.

    "really about Oil and Israel" Why not...."? ...Sure you typed more, but really, what else is there to say?

    "obscene war profits for the usual scumbag corporations that prop" up the current administration..." And what were the companies proping up JFK and LBJ in their great Vietnam blunder that Nixon pulled us out of? ...Same ones as now, dumbass. Can you say Brown & Root? When will Americans wake up?... Not even gonna bother with the nixon thing.

    No nothing radical or extremist about you and your beliefs!

    Not anymore. Welcome to 21st century America. I guess this really is a "New Amerikan Century".

    Posted by RIO BRAVO 10/14/2006 @ 7:54pm

    Can you really be this stupid? Or do you just enjoy seeing how far you can drag an argument, beyond it's obsolescence?

    Eric

    Posted by Malcontent at 10/15/2006 @ 01:43am

58. I'm glad I'm not the only one having serious paranoia about what is really behind this too obvious meltdown of the Neo Con Cabal. Knowing the Uncle Bill Greider (much respect!) also shares this creeping intuition, makes me feel less alone but not 'better."

    Allow me to make a prediction here and if it does not come to pass then I will GLADLY say "Yo, man was I wrong!" And we will ALL be glad it did not come to pass - however - that having been said, here it is...

    WE MUST consider the possibility that the Neo Cons will make a strategic and TEMPORARY retreat action - a ruse - for this purpose: They may plan to 'allow' the Dems to take some amount of power in November and perhaps in '08 for the following purpose: once the Dems have a visible power presence, the Black Budget Operation that performed the 9/11 strike will be released to perform another (perhaps uglier and more deadly) strike inside US borders - this will give the NeoCons a very clear and visible reason to proclaim that the Dems are "weak on defense" and losing the "war on terra" to then stampede the gullible into replacing the Dems with pro military, pro war, pro martial law Neo Cons for the next dozen "election cycles". Bye-bye Miss American Pie...

    If you observe the talking heads in the MSM you can see (hear?) them keeping this meme alive: "Dems are weak on defense - Dems are weak on defense" is being interjected in to the blab at every opportunity.

    Don't think they'd stoop that low? Hell - they pulled off 9/11 didn't they? We already know that they torture, rig voting machines, eviscerate the Constitution, rig elections, molest children, import drugs, assassinate foreign and domestic rivals, engage in wholesale industrial murder, bomb civilians from 30,000 feet, - did I mention rig elections? They have no scruples or morals because they are "God's chosen party"! Ask 'em!

    We must look behind the distractions they present. We are dealing with DEPRAVED CRIMINALS. Why do you think they're called Neo CONS?

    Posted by ImLogDin at 10/15/2006 @ 3:57pm

59. Mask,

    Get a clue! Ralph Nader would not have run in the first place had the Democrats the courage to run on a true liberal agenda that would help the entire nation and not just run on rightwing Republican lite lunacy....................When Democrats get the message then Ralph Nader becomes obselete.............

    "Neither party will oppose a war...... Yes, it will go on until we see it for what it really is and act collectively to change it."

    Posted by GOAT 10/12/2006 @ 1:41pm

    okay....HOW?

    You just "wrote off" the Democratic Party as co-conspirators?

    Again, going down the "Green/Nader" path ...which gave us 2000?

    Posted by MASK 10/12/2006 @ 1:51pm | ignore this person

    Posted by POSEIDON at 10/17/2006 @ 2:34pm