Letters to the Editor
Sweet Polly Purebred
Published Letters: 25
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Broken Window Theory
[Read the article: The FBI's lawbreaking is tied directly to President Bush]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]The unfettered lawlessness, abuse of power, and overall unethical behavior that has taken root in this administration and in those charged with carrying out its “orders” (civil servants, military generals, etc) has been nothing short of appalling and destructive to the fabric and foundation of this country. But none of this would have come to pass the past 7 years if not for the tone and disregard of the rule of law at the top, with everything they have done turned into political and selfish gain with nary a concern for the citizens they’re supposedly honored to represent and protect. It’s the Broken Window theory of crime, writ large on the governing scale. In this environment, with those at top conniving and ignoring the spirit of the law, the Constitution, Geneva Convention, etc., is it any wonder we look back in shame at the malfeasance and abuses that have been done at every level of government and the military in our name? Fix the windows, patrol the corridors of power, and get strict on accountability – if this means hearings and impeachment, so be it. It is only then can the rot that’s infiltrated our country be removed, before this nation and what it stood for dies.
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@LWM and Broken Windows
[Read the article: The FBI's lawbreaking is tied directly to President Bush]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Since you asked - born and raised in Brooklyn (East New York) in the 70s and 80s in a lower-class family where I was a minority, so I know first hand what I speak of. An alternate-world universe of lawlessness, crime and grime. Rudy G claimed to follow that BG theory, but while things improved (due also to other economic reasons) implementation is everything - his was certainly racist and heavy-handed, and I still dislike him (I fall far left on the scale). But the theory itself and the analogy you can made - take out how it can be twisted by politicians and others - holds. In an environment where it seems permissive to break the law without accountability, others will do so up and down the chain. What we are seeing today in the Bush admin. is an example. Let's keep our eyes on the prize - taking them down.
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e_five is right
[Read the article: The FBI's lawbreaking is tied directly to President Bush]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Until recently, despite being furious watching what's been happening since 2000, I though it best to take the quiet road, regain Congress, and get the White House back without providing ammo to our opponents. But to make permanent change, get these criminals out of the position of ever coming back to haunt us, and to send a message to future authoritarians and neocons, there must be actions taken, whether indictments or impeachment - whatever it takes. We need to be true to the spirit of this democracy, and not worried about politics ... there may be short-term hell to pay, but we will look back and note it was worth it.
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I Spy
[Read the article: The FBI's lawbreaking is tied directly to President Bush]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]"Do Americans really want the federal government compiling electronic dossiers on them with virtually no safeguards and no oversight?"
From my experience, both as an employee at DoJ and DoD in the old ages, as well as discussions I’ve had with normal everyday people, is that a majority of the population still believes that federal works in DC are “decent” civil servants, that is, they are good people, maybe a little weird and sloppy, but have the interests of the country at heart because they are true Americans who believe in what they are doing. While there might have been points in the past where this generality was more or less, accurate, with the politicization of key and top-level agency positions, where your political leanings and support get you in over merit or ability, we are a far cry from that old model. This is why it is essential for the media to once again do its job as the watchdog of power, questioning everything that this administration does and reporting the facts. As the media slowly gets slapped awake from its coma and stops repeating White House press releases, I think Americans will slowly start understanding that it’s not just “bad” people who are having their actions and recorded, and that they too are under the microscope and susceptible to abuse by less-than-scrupulous government employees.
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Dog ate my evidence
[Read the article: What happened to the Padilla interrogation videos?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Maybe the attack dogs they sic on the detainees ate it? Happened to my homework all the time ....
Glenn, what don’t you understand? These are “terrists” who are not afforded the protections and safeguards of our legal system. Thanks to the foresight and wisdom of The Leader, we don’t have to worry about you pesky lawyers and quaint “evidence” rules.
Actually, being serious, lucky for Padilla he is a US citizen, so he (thankfully) is afforded our protections (the other guys down there, not so fortunate). The bottom line is, he has been held 3.5 years without charges, and he was originally picked up as a material witness, which only adds to the outrage. There is a good change these tapes are really lost – Padilla has been transferred like a hot potato between FBI, DoD, etc., with nobody wanted responsibility for this morass. Not sure if incompetence of the people involved makes me feel better than intentional evil misdoing, but I wouldn’t be surprised.
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Nixon and Bush
[Read the article: What happened to the Padilla interrogation videos?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Honestly, what finally drove the stake through Nixon's heart and forced his hand was the loss of the Republican leadership in Congress, who realized their political careers were in jeopardy. It wasn’t the marches or even the press – there was still the bottom 30% of the public out there who were ready to stick by the president (and to this day still defend him). So we could now have all the protests and the media actually do its job (and they are starting to), but until Bush (who is much worse than Nixon ... Tricky Dick was a liberal compared to this joker on issues) loses his sycophants in Congress, he isn’t going anywhere. Problem is, he won’t – the use of Fear Foreva is powerful enough for these GOPers to run on and sway many in the public when they pull the lever....