Apologies to all Obama (and Bush) justifiers--I'm pathologically cynical.

For instance--did anyone else note Bush's statement/answer about how he inherited a recession and he's leaving with a recession, like that was a badge of honor.

He failed to remember the budget had a surplus left by Clinton (oh, that was because Clinton gutted the defense budget, I hear).

Will the real Obama come forth, I'm worn out and jaded from too much teeth-chattering fear and snarling from the Bush era.

"Holding up his end of the bargain, Randolph agreed to cancel the march."--El Cid

Don't know to cry or feel relieved that the march was canceled. Some politicians do believe that marches are now the fringe, non-movers that used to be. The real changers are the blog, money generators to campaigns (ala Dean/Obama).

Marches are another 60's tool that seems to have lost its political impact. In addition, the media's ability to lower expectations and coverage is significant.

Were the recent global anti-war, and trade congregates an influential enough platform in light of what policies materialized?

How different things might have turned out if Bush had been cowered at all by 100's to millions of people showing unity against his war on the poor and the "terrists".

To say FDR and his era was a political horse of a different color would be a monumental understatement.

"...even if they turn violent it will just result in some injured cops, property damage and a whole lot of people tossed in jail."--Scientician

This discussion raises the question--can even peaceful shows of protest affect policy change?

Considering how powerful legal and paramilitary forces have converged to intimidate and imprison dissenters--there is much to lament. (see the new age and wave in military presence and tactics across America's roads, streets, ports and terminals).

What impact would angry Americans distressed beyond economic survival have on Capitol Hill than the legislative ilk for reforming those same policies?

Peaceful means are the preference under our "representative" system, but it notoriously supports the oligarchy of privilege over the frustrated lower classes--those hit harder by inequitable laws and economic imbalances.

A desperate mass of peasants (should we come to that) is no match or dream permitted against a corporate government that preys upon the disregarded and despised consumer.

Indeed they do work uniquely within their context and as bystander and you noted in FDR's case, they (marchers) were loyalists.

(See my ancillary comment earlier about the new, brave world of populace defiance).

As one ponders the prayers (oratory) of those pious proclamations yesterday from politicos to preachers-- how confusing it is.

On one hand we cheer as the invocations for compassion, justice and holy retribution modeled by the god of choice is called upon by the American citizenry.

Then, after eight years of continuous reminders that it is our god-blessed, exceptionalism that permits us to dispense with the too-secular Constitution and adhere to the faith-of-our-fathers, asking that we systematically torture (like they do in that literal hell), so that god and human vengeance is satisfied.

It gets so conflicting-- love those "bad" guys while I mete out "justice" to those 15 and 16 year olds as god would have me do with some sort of twisted, sadistic catharsis for my own depravity.

Patriotism and respect for the rule of law decency were once so simple--or maybe the simplicity lies within baser instincts of reliance on heaven for me and torturous hell for thee.

I can see poor, sensitive-to-the-down-trodden, to the unkempt masses spoken to in Indiana this noon--our Changer in Chief mulling over in his head--

I, the new Prez better err on the side of tough, extraordinary rendition (and a slice of enhanced interrogation for good measure).

As usual, either this policy shift in unlawful rendition sprouts from President Obama's fear of being perceived weak on terrorism or the equally repugnant conclusion-- he is unprincipled.

Did anyone else notice Panetta's change of heart recently?

It's hard to reconcile the disconnect of listening to the passion of our President as he wages war on the entitled-rich who keep stealing the treasure while their heap piles higher at taxpayers, sacrificial altar. I keep thinking how, populist and brave to fight the good fight in light of the flagrant hypocrisy and plundering by them of us all.

Then, Glenn slaps me back to reality and I waken to the reality--#44 is a politician first, like #43, but with a flair for words that should translate better than for the worst inclinations to lie or spin us into irrelevance.

"What will happen to people who dissent to policies of President Obama?"

We shall descend into the depth of decadent, indecency to drill the deductions of our deprecating delusions without depreciation.

or in Berra-fashion--the "camps" are ready, we just need to go scouting for campers.

You nailed it.

"X Files" might teach us more than the stuff Cheney lives for, his ticking bombs and Jack Bauer obsession, aside.

The "State Secrets" invocation that is continually pled has that beastly connotation of euphemistic, Presidential Imperialism- attachment, without legal restraint and to which we have sadly become accustomed.

"It makes one wonder what else is in that section if waterboarding is the only thing they could leave in. Many pages are the same, that is if they don’t say “Denied in Full”."

The former President claimed at least once in a press conference that our esteemed government exercises more advanced techniques of extracting information. I felt so much better.

We're told to trust him that though we are not mature enough to understand or be privileged to know exactly what these detainees are enduring for freedom's sake--trust me, these, fine, doctor-approved interoggation measures are humane, but of course very secret.

Whether they are crude, suffocating tribulations inflicted by "interogators" or high-tech, psychotropic, sensory assaults, does not matter.

These super-funded prisons for elongated detainment and information extraction are the evil wet dreams of confused adolescence.