That's almost the definition of an aristocracy. The equestrian class apologizes with money; the serfs pay with their freedom.

It is astonishing that we could go from that tribal concept of law (blutgeld), to one in which all citizens are treated the same at least in theory, and then hear arguments for going back, "since that's how it works anyway."

Arguments that somehow abandon even the pretense that the rich should serve as models for the poor.

Several hours ago, I posted that I share others' feelings of hopelessness. But that doesn't mean I'm not too stubborn to give up. If for no other reason than it just feels good to piss off Republicans every once in a while, I'll still keep fighting for progressive values and ideals.

In fact just a short while ago, I signed Harry Reid's petition condemning Rush Limbaugh. Wow, I can feel the tide turning already! Can't you?

All kidding aside, I do plan to keep "fighting the good fight" in some way, I just hope I can not get my heart so inextricably involved in the process from now on.

[While composing this, Glenn and others addressed my topic - and, of course, better than I. But I worked on this for a while and so, self-indulgently, I post it. Apologies. please Forgive.]

The story lines of modern life can influence our expectations.

Spectator sports, television entertainment, movies, and election cycles have, each in their own way, self-contained story arcs and final resolutions. In contrast, our true political life never really resolves; it is an ongoing organic process of fits, starts, jumps, retreats, and restarts. A free society hopes to progress along something akin to Siddhartha's spiral upward path, which might appear to take the traveler in circles, but does eventually lead to a more elevated place.

The republic, our United States of America, is many things, one of which is an experimental test of a civic construct that has never truly achieved the full potential for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness for all. We have always carried on in a state of tension between owners and labor, wealthy and poor, authoritarian and libertarian, fundamentalists and freethinkers, thugs and the bullied. Nevertheless, over time we have seen the expansion of civil rights recognition to ever more once-aggrieved constituencies.

We cannot lose hope.

We have to keep fighting.

The real fight is only just beginning, because too many of our citizens are still too comfortable . The struggle could become even more daunting, and it may require the sacrifice of martyrs before it's over. Do what you can - and maybe sometimes a little more - within your comfort zone. We're not all meant to be Nathaniel Hales or Emma Goldmans or Rosa Parkses or Martin Luther Kings, but each of us doing something like Glenn does here, and like William T does there, and Jim White and sunny miller do over here and over there leads eventually to the next victory. The Patrick Henrys and the Nelson Mandelas will arise; they can't help it. Every one of us has a critical role, no matter how dramatic or undramatic that role may seem.

It will never be over; human nature will not permit that. This principle is built in to our constitutional form of government and that is why preserving and protecting our Constitution is paramount. The task is urgent but we won't be able able to wrap this up by 2008, or even 2012 or 2016. Bebop-o would say: "No give up!" I think, and he would be right. Giving up is very much what the enemy wants us to do, that is the game plan, and they think dragging this out will make us give up. I say let them drag it out as long as they want. Let the nation and world see that We the People will not let the ideals of the United States of America perish. If we do not give up, we shall overcome.

What strikes me is that all these bad things have been done to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and nothing has happened to individuals or anyone in the media or political sphere. So it seems understandable that this lawbreaking remains abstract. It also explains why the Administration is so intent on amnesty for the telcos, to get those cases out of court where we might learn about specific violations.

How you get from passivity to action escapes me. It would be useful for select members of Congress to stand up and articulate the problem clearly, loudly, and often. But how would they get media time? Russ Feingold is excellent but he never gets invited on to be a talking head on these issues. Basically, we need a way to go around timid Democratic leadership in the House and Senate, in a way that does not rely on one person or another but, rather, many people in Congress, all making the same points, all speaking in clear easy to understand terms.

I like Dodd's formulation of restoring the Constitution. But the media seems hell bent on giving us only the choice of Hillary, Obama, and John. It's a hard problem to solve.

I also saw a promo last night for a movie called Rendition. Movies are another great way to get the word out, to make real what has happened. It makes me wonder why Hollywood, if it is so filled with leftists, has not figured out how to tell a gripping story about torture, illegal spying, and all the rest. Surely they're not stupid?

Thanks for bringing common sense and hope for those who seemed so down today. If we only question the motives and character of all politicians and M$M, we do them and ourselves a disservice. Everyone has a perspective and believes they are doing the right thing. Even Bush and Cheney believe in themselves and deny the damage and suffering they have caused because they have a blinders-on perspective, think in black and white and only talk to cult members. We on the left can be guilty of the same kind of thinking if we are not careful.

I have only been participating in blog discussion a short time compared to those who have been at it for a long time. I can see how that would wear on the psyche. I greatly admire those who have remained optimistic and keep talking more about solutions than those dirty so and so’s.