"Under these circumstances, and with that definition, there are probably few worse sins than failing to be "shrill." GG

The fault of the "left"--they are endowed with the perfect-pitch, higher frequency modulation that attunes them to see and particularly hear above the din of authoritarian proclamations of more war and tax-freedom for the rich--a cognitive reality.

The shriek of shrillness should and never will cease against the dull drum of lock-step fascism with whom and wherever it rises.

There is nothing more distasteful than a conservative toting an eight-inch stimulus bill being shrill on the House floor like some screaming, oppressed lefty expounding on the favorable arguments against torturing our detainees.

It just ain't right, that imitation, flattering as it is.

Real Power Base: (for starts)

Defense budgets/contractors/corps

Media/Telecoms/talk radio

Well-funded "think tanks/institutes"

Religious far-right

Federal Reserve and related bank empire

Now assess how these entities legislate, rule and control every significant aspect of what we watch, hear, earn, pay and pray for:

Bank rules (rulessness), mortgages, war initiation, tax-exempt religious organizations, the prevailing "wisdom", product loyalty/consumerism and infinite choices we must make to live, but really cannot choose.

Which side of the political/financial spectrum of winners if you were a Brooks, Limbaugh, or Hannity would you sell out to?

The choice is to simply vote for and proclaim hardcore positions that align with the:

Defense budgets/contractors/corps

Media/Telecoms/talk radio

Well-funded "think tanks/institutes"

Religious far-right

Federal Reserve and related bank empire

Attempt to significantly halt the progress of these entities--admirable without fault--but reform them at your own risk.

The political and societal advocates for economic and pervading justice on all fronts and environment are strewn with literal bodies or scandalized into oblivion.

Take notice who has seized the prominent platform in our society (elections be damned). They are powerful and not easily vanquished.

A bleak view, but one learned and scorned at every turn in spite of the empty-headed rhetoric spewed forth tumultuously on C-Span, CBS, NBC, ABC, FOX without end post 9-11.

C-Span is included. Their masters are the telecom funds that pour into their corporate coffers with due immunity. Need we say more where C-Span bias might and does creep in?

Brooks and the rest--we got your number.

"Our collective voices subsumed themselves in Obama's, which allowed us to "win." But that win will be his, not ours, so long as we remain so meek.

-- Blue Meme

"Calamine (noun)

A soothing ointment used to ease itchiness. Or a mealy mushed mouthed apologist attempting to sooth dissent and real change. Take your pick." __Totonwan

Ya took the internalized words and grasp of its pertinence right out of my mouth.

Works for me.

It's the nurturing, protectionist mode the left has fallen into.

After all, with Limbaugh, Hannity, and rabid rightist ilk in Congress carrying the conservative mantra torch against the tide of stimulus giveaways--the Obama sympathizers can't stomach jumping ship or piling on.

Perhaps, much like the downcast posture of the chronically abused

pet who might have deserved some degree of punishment under extreme measures, one is supportive of enacting some reform, but cannot condone continual abuse in its scope and thus, feels pity.

"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.

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.

"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.

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.

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?