Letters to the Editor
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Pure cowardice
So-called Democratic "strategists" and "consultants" have one thing in common with people like letter writer Carl Strating. They are snivelling, cowardly, gutless, weak kneed milksops. No wonder why they lose. No wonder why they are afraid.
"I'd rather live with some of my civil liberties slightly curtailed than die with all of them intact" is not only craven, weak and and foolish it is deeply, profoundly wrong, both as philosophy and strategy. More importantly, it is deeply, profoundly un-American, and runs counter to the greatest tenets and most fundamental beliefs of our country.
"Is life so sweet or peace so dear as to be purchased at the cost of chains and slavery? I know not what others may choose, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death." - Patrick Henry.
"Those who would give up essential liberties for a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - Benj. Franklin
Now, THAT'S American!
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What the polls say, and what they don't
One of the biggest concerns I have about the most recent scandel is, unsurprisingly, how it's being handled by the press. In particular, note the lack of scrutiny given to the fact that in the handful of polls conducted on the subject, all that is asked is, 'how important is "Government surveillance of U.S. citizens"?' (CNN/USA Today), or "In investigating terrorism, do you think federal agencies are or are not intruding on some Americans' privacy rights?" (ABC/Washington Post), to which approximately 1/3 indicate that they are concerned about government's intrusion on individual rights, and a somewhat larger fraction say that the level is about right.
What these polls neglect to do is verify that people actually know what's going on. I would be very interested in a 'push-poll' question along the lines of,"As you may have heard, President Bush has admitted to allowing the NSA to tap the phonelines of American Citizens without a warrant. This is violation of US law. If true, do you think the president should be impeached?" Or, if this goes too far (and I suspect most pollsters wouldn't run it), something along the lines of informing the poll subjects while they ask the question.
Contrast this to the Abromoff polls which clearly state at the beginning: "As you may know, Jack Abramoff recently pleaded guilty to fraud, tax evasion and conspiracy to bribe public officials in a deal that requires him to provide evidence about members of Congress..." (Diago/Hotline).
Until we can be sure that news outlets are doing their job and actually informing the public, how can we be sure what the public would really think?
Sincerely,
Dave Goldberg
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fear of spying
mericans, whether the "suspect" Americias include a Nixionlike enemeys list of those that loyally oppose the Bush policies in Iraq and the war on terrior. The administration if they could demonstrate to Congess that addition authority was needed could have asked for these changes in FICA or the Patriot Act. Bush claims this is targeted and resticted survelances but no judge or other nonpartisan expert can assure us this is true. Bush has redefined torture to justfy his sanctioning of torture and used his Justic Dept to support his policy. He is doing the same thing to justfy this violation of the Constitution and FICA. FICA was passed to prevent abuse of the President, specifically Nixion. Bush is more partisan than Nixion.Is moveon.com or the DNC on the survellance list.
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Don't fear "looking weak", fear being weak!
If the 2008 Democratic candidate follows the "advice" of the strategists who are afraid to challenge Bush's illegal spying program, he/she better hope to get a majority of the Republican vote, because they'll lose a majority of the Democratic vote.
It's high time the Democrats stood for something (other than "feel good" bromides). And if they can't defend our Constitution and our liberties, then what use are they?
I say this as a long-time Democrat, who has voted for every Democratic candidate since I was old enough to vote (yes, even McGovern, though I held my nose while doing so). But if these strategists have their way, 2008 may be the year I finally break that record.
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The fat lady is singing......
The Democratic Party has become the Whig Party. Save yourself.
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Enough already
Time and again, the Democrats forget that it is much easier to explain to the public a good decision than to justify a bad one. Drop the strategists, ditch the polls, read the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and just do the right thing.
No doubt, these strategists are the same idiots that muscled Hackett out before the public could voice an opinion. We're the voters-let us decide.