Shortly after 9/11, George Bush said in a speech that we should be afraid, but not so afraid that we would stop shopping(a paraphrase). He understood the power of money, and that the economy would collapse if people did not continue to spend.

In a previous thread, one of your contributors indicated that the media has always been owned and controlled by the elite, and that it's purpose, on the grand scale, is to sell, whether it is a message, a product, or a way of life.

At this time it appears as though the owners are trying to sell a message which many people see as a lie. The only way to get them to change the message, and reflect what people are actually thinking, is to hit them where George Bush knows it will hurt the most: The Wallet. A boycott of their advertsisers' products, and pressure on their finances is the only way in our capitalist model to apply the requisite pressure. Let the boycotts begin, and the circulation numbers fall!

It is good to see that so many of your regular commentators are disavowing Time Inc. and will be cancelling their subscriptions, etc. The correct pressure is monetary. There is no other way that the masses can exert pressure on the elite, save a sit-down strike, and the withholding of their labour. And that ain't likely to happen. The US isn't France, after all. Still, American workers could learn a thing or two from observing the strikes against Sarkozy's worker destroying reforms.

Best wishes for Christmas to all!

Naomi Klein's new book, The End Of America, really sums up in total the fasicst shift that has taken an accelerated pace in the USA in the past several years. A careful study of this book sheds light on the reasons for the lack of opposition to Bush and his administration. Almost certainly, there are a number of blackmailable related events in the Rockefeller family, as well as those of other high ranking Democrats. No doubt they have good reason to simply roll over, as they will be chewed up and spat out otherwise.

There are few good patriots around, and speaking the truth really is a dangerous act in troubled times such as these. I wish to express my admiration for your perseverance in the face of such daunting odds. You act as the patriot you mention in your own book. Keep up the excellent wotk, by keeping their feet to the fire. The odds are long, but as Ghandi showed us, we can succeed!

Watching the calamatous collapse of American prestige and respect in the world is not easy, and is no doubt painful for most reasonable Americans. There appears to be a tipping point approaching, where Bush and his invisible supporters will either need to stage a showdown, and instigate military rule, or they will be ousted and put on trial. The rule of law either applies, or it does not. Bush and Cheney are arguably guilty of war crimes, and are likely to be confined to the USA, or some out of the way place like Paraquay, where extradition is not possible. They will be tracked and prosecuted if they travel to parts of the world where the rule of law still applies. I do have some faith that even if the trials are not coming up soon, they will eventually take place. Many former autocratic dictators eventually receive their comeuppance (Pinochet), and generally live in ignomy at best.

Many of your readers have indicated that Congress does not simply have the choice to impeach, but that they have a duty to do so under Article 4 of the constitution.

Do you believe that Congress is in dereliction of its duty, and if so is there a remedy for 'we the people' to start impeaching members of Congress? Your thoughts on what to do about a Congress which is abdicating its responsibility would be helpful. Merry Christmas.

This news of Reid and telecom immunity reinforces the knowledge that everyone has, that the 'elected' representatives don't actually represent the people who elected them. It is a difficult sell to average Americans, to expect them to adhere to a three strikes you're out rule of law, and have corporations able to break the law and be forgiven by the government and shielded from prosecution. Oh well, one rule for the poor, and one for the rich. Isn't that the way it has always been?

Back to my question of yesterday. Isn't there some way to recall or impeach memebers of the Congress and the Senate who are complicit in the crimes of the Bush Administration? Who will lead the way to bring back the rule of law, so that it applies to everyone?

The tipping point is near. For all of you who still believe the official story of 9/11, perhaps it is time to rethink that position. Naomi Klein makes the point in her book The Shock Doctrine, that a state may produce a crisis to destabilize the people, create dependency, and then force through measures that are the antithesis of what is best for the people. Bush will need such an event if he wishes to institute martial law. Is he just hoping for the 'Terrorists' to come up with something during his remaining time in office, or has he got his own plans to make it happen?

Looking for the next George Washington... Is he/she out there?