By giving W a free pass for four years, the media allowed this king to mount his throne. There should be mass demonstrations in the streets, but the public has been inured to the dangers of this administration like a frog in hot water - and the media is back to swallowing Bush's line that "there will be progress in Iraq in 2006."

Those who have a tale to tell should be getting it out there, to the point that even the Republicans have to take notice - and ACTION!

The press isn't going to perk up. They're owned by the same conservative companies that give money to the GOP. The 4th estate is dead, having sold itself to the 3rd estate a long time ago. The only way to get the news out is through independent web sites and blogs. Long live the 5th estate!

What Blumenthal describes is a blueprint for fascism. It is made more chilling by the realization that it was concieved and under way well before 9/11, which the neo-cons first viewed as a diversion from their plan.

We must demand that Congress and the courts assert their authority, or we can kiss what's left of democracy goodby.

Unfortunately Pres. Bush's war on professionals has had domestic impacts as well as foreign impacts. Max Cleland, Georgia's US Senator, favored retention of civil service protections for employees of the agencies forming the Dept of Homeland Security. Cleland, a decorated Viet Nam vet, was attacked for lacking the "courage" to oppose "government unions and bureaucrats". When FEMA employees lost their protections, there was an exodus of professionals. Instead we got "Brownie" doing "a heck of a job". We lost a good US Senator and a major American city.

"But Bush has built a secret system, without enabling legislation,...."

Right, Sidney, but also the National Security Agency was not created by "enabling legislation" either -- Harry Truman created it by executive order (1952)-- there is no statutory charter for the NSA. Blumie, if only you knew what you were talking about when you bash Bush, how much more effective you'd be.

I take comfort in the fact that W's approval rating was at 41% right around the time the spying scandal story broke. I can only assume it's gone below 40% since the news has sunk in.

Having said that, I should not be surprised anymore that this gang of thugs continues to lie in the face of the truth. Continues to obfuscate, continues to punish those who would even hint at accountability. Mr. Blumenthal is correct when he says that there cannot be much of Bush's secret policy that can bear up under scrutiny. He has crafted a glass house built on lies and denials. We allowed him to do it for four years. Now that house of glass must be thrown down. The foundation of lies is so full of cracks, exposed cracks, that a sustained barrage of truth telling will cause it to finally crumble. That process began in 2005. May it continue this year every day until these "Mayberry Machiavellis" are finally run out of town on a rail. ENOUGH LIES!

Sadly, despite uncontrovertable evidence of an administration that appoints incompetent loyalists to important positions, fabricates information to support policital positions, destroys those who ask questions, and disregards both our laws and constitution with impunity, the majority of Americans simply do not care. We, as a people, appear more than willing to accept a dictator who tells us that he will cut taxes, protect us from evil in our homeland, and destroy evil abroad. We refuse to recognize the delicate nature of a democracy, and how easily a country looses its democratic institution. With Congress absolutely unwilling to provide any check on executive power and a judiciary dominated by Republican nominees, our founding fathers' system of checks and balances is currently failing miserably. The saddest part of all ... we, as a nation, simply don't care.

Now you're reduced to pointing out a single editor's mistake in trying to "discredit" someone's entire body of work? What's next -- typos?

The true mistakes Mr. Blumenthal makes in his article are 1) referring to George Bush as the "President" and 2) claiming that George Bush is behind any of the evil which Cheney's White House does. George Bush failed at absolutely everything he ever did in his entire life before the fascists decided to use him as a figurehead; why on Earth would anyone think he was capable of being in charge of anything now?

Even worse, the anti-depressants and his return to the bottle have erased what little coherency he did have left in the past couple of years. This is a man who literally can't find his way out of a room now, as was televised for all the world to see. And Rodger struggles to find clerical errors in order to "defend" him? That's beyond sad.

The following is an open letter posted on my Blog to Congressman Rob Simmons. The point? Stop complaining on message boards and start complaining to your elected representatives. It's easy to do and BTW, nothing beats a phone call. You can find their contact info at Senate.gov and House.gov.

Don't just sit there: Do Something!

=====

Dear Mr. Simmons,

I am writing to you to let you know how I feel about the behavior of the President. When President Bush originally ran for President, one of his positions was to restore dignity and honesty to the presidency. He has failed on both counts. It is time to take action. It is time to Impeach President Bush.

It is my feeling that it is time to begin impeachment proceedings against this president and his administration, including vice-president Dick Cheney. I ask that the President and Vice President be investigated and prosecuted for High Crimes against the American people. He has failed this nation and it is time for him to go. This can only happen if a majority of the House makes it happen. It can only happen if Republicans, like you, take a stand for our country that trancends your party affiliation.

President Clinton was impeached for lieing about having sex with his intern. Shouldn't we hold President Bush to the same high standard of truth and integrity? President Bush lied us into war in Iraq, has broken the law, and has consistently demonstrated a lack of regard for the Constitution. This president is a danger to our nation in a greater sense than any terrorist ever could be and it's time to stop it.

I am asking you as a constituent and a real American patriot:

Stop letting this administration abuse its powers, hurt our country, and get more American soldiers killed. It's time to impeach President Bush.

Sincerely Yours,

David Sanabria

cc: Rob Simmons, http://philozopher.blogspot.com/