This isn't the best link - but it was handy (http://tinyurl.com/2rcegv or sig). It points to the problem with "free choice." And, when it comes to threats of personal harm, fear is a powerfully hot emotion. It doesn't excuse or justify horrible choices with respect to torture, or any other morally repugnant action. It's simply part of the context for understanding that people do the damnedest of things for the damnedest of reasons.

Lack of results, due to corruption of the system, and the ramifications of that for the rest of us is what concerns me.

Or tactical politics in some cases, but it depends on the specific case.

There is an increased level of balkinization, as usual, on the progressive left. As well as on the right, not so usual for that sector. In a word, fractious, as primary season often is. Everyone has their own priorities and special interests. It's called democracy. Very messy.

Art Chimpanzee,

Sheeple is a term of disparagement, a portmanteau created by combining the words "sheep" and "people"; a reference to herd mentality. It is often used to denote persons who acquiesce to authority, and thus undermine their own human individuality. The implication of sheeple is that as a collective, people believe whatever they are told, especially if told so by authority figures, without processing it to be sure that it is an accurate representation of the real world around them. The term is generally used in a political or religious sense.

The label seems to have originated among those in the United States of a far right political persuasion. The Wall Street Journal first reported the label in print in 1984, where its reporter encountered the word used by the proprietor of an American Opinion bookstore affiliated with the John Birch Society.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheeple

I'm always uncomfortable with referring to groups of people by the singular pronoun. It leads to muddy thinking. In this case thinking of "The Democratic party" in the singular obscures the fact that it is a large disparate group, including old cynical Congresscritters, Power hungry Presidential aspirants, young idealistic city councelmen and hordes of people who don't even bother to decide to call themselves Democrats until they show up to vote in a primary.

In the meantime, we - by which I mean all Americans who don't like to see evil acts committed in their name need to stay involved and apply pressure wherever they can.

I personally think that media criticism is a particularly effective point of attack because determining the "master narrative" has a huge effect on how the people who aren't involved on a daily basis think. A vast majority of Americans are kind decent people (and yes - many are Republicans) but when they are subject to a deliberate and careful campaign to confuse them about important issues, aided and abetted by a clique of journalists and "insiders" (many of whom are nevertheless democrats), then they can't be counted on to do the right thing all the time. Eventually, but not always.

In the meantime our efforts here are important and its also important to celebrate progress when it happens.

I'm confused too now.

I read your initial post to be a lament about those of us pointing the finger at the Dem party, its past and current active contribution to the multiple domestic/foreign messes this blog discusses daily.

I read it as telling us to shut up already, and just keep on doing what we have been doing: pressure again the Dems to pressure again such-and-so-Bush-appointee ie be obedient, work the system, people, don't reject it - sort of like hamsters in a cage going in circles chasing each other.

If none of that was going on, then accept my apologies, and please, by all means, go pressure whomever you wish in peace.

Also, this notion that I should not voice those concerns about the Dems for fear that it would be used against them by the GOP leaves me cold. I'm more worried about the country and society than about any party.

More (intelligent, individual) dialogue with the people of the right is more constructive than this deep hatred constantly expressed by some partisan Democrats, for political gain, even as the leaders they parade participate in some of the most egregious behavior of dictatorship.

-- Dounia

First a comment. I never said that you shouldn't voice concerns. I said you shouldn't regurgitate GOP memes, tropes and talking points. Be creative and original. I know you can do it. My question: If you are worried about the country, what are you going to do? Give up politics? As far as "the right" is concerned, they can always switch parties and ideologies. Their's is a total failure, top to bottom. Jim Webb did it. Ron Paul gets no play from me and neither does your weak Unity '08 plea.

But today I just can't resist

There are many people on this forum who are very smart but William Timberman is the one who is remarkabley and consistently wise.

Jes sayin.....

... our government is resembling organized crime. Actually, it IS organized crime.

I was hoping you'd chime in!

I don't disagree with you. I full well make the daily assumption that what I do in any given moment is a product of "free will." And, accept the responsibility for my choices of the moment. However, when I'm tempted to point my finger outwards, I try to remember that "free choice/free will," like Truth can be an elusive little devil (h/t to an unnamed professor of economics).

Now there is a wild exaggeration. In most scientific work you can show exactly how far outside the system you are. Generally, it is completely outside for any practical purpose. Brain/consciousness studies? Hard to define at the current state of knowledge.

I personally think that media criticism is a particularly effective point of attack because determining the "master narrative" has a huge effect on how the people who aren't involved on a daily basis think.

And when Glenn does it here at Salon, it gets results, as it is with other major influential voices in blogistan.

Democratic and Republican pols need to be pressured to do the right thing. Here in the comments, people are often more intent upon directing you to a particular candidate. No one on the right wants Democrats to take the majority in the House and Senate and the WH. That's partisanship and if anyone thinks there is anyone out there with an R after his name that isn't a partisan, I have beachfront property right next door to WT's place for sale.