How much does it take...?

[Natobasso]

The Bush Administration is more like the middle Roman Empire period, right before the era of debauchery and destruction. Get ready for the colusseum where they will have fights to the death...George W. would do well to read Sun Tzu "The Art of War". From a military/strategic perspective, we're doing EVERYTHING wrong: http://www.geocities.com/Athens/4884/

Go here to fight the Bush Administration in the most direct, legal way possible:
http://www.democrats.org/

Use your vote and don't mess around with those hanging chads.

[Natobasso]

This sums it up for me: "The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success." -- Sun Tzu

[fryke]

Rhisiart: I wouldn't want to directly compare Bush to Hitler or Stalin. What I'm worried about is that the Bush administration takes the USA into a similar direction Hitler did Germany. I'm not talking about WWII, I'm talking about the beginning of his "career", rather. Making fun of democracy. Taking away personal freedom. You know. bbloke's quote of Goering is just too close: "All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

I think more people should read "The Wave", "1984" and "Fahrenheit 451" again. And again.

[CaptainQuark]

Originally Posted by fryke

Rhisiart: I wouldn't want to directly compare Bush to Hitler or Stalin. …

Neither would I. Those two were intelligent (if evil/misdirected) whereas Bush and Blair are like two kids who have managed to pinch the keys for their dads' tanks!

[bbloke]

Originally Posted by fryke

Making fun of democracy. Taking away personal freedom. You know. bbloke's quote of Goering is just too close: "All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

I think more people should read "The Wave", "1984" and "Fahrenheit 451" again. And again.

I agree with you, fryke. There are some unnerving parallels at times, when looking at the Bush administration's tactics. Increased emergency powers, disappearances, detention without trial, restriction of freedoms, trying to instill fear in the public, convincing citizens of a dangerous enemy and that they need to go to war for a long period, etc. Goering's quote seems disturbingly relevant to the current situation, and he has first hand experience of manipulating a population.

By the way, last night on British TV there was the movie "Death of a President." It was worryingly convincing, in terms of being a fake documentary about the assasination of George Bush. It is well worth seeing, as it was very well made and highlighted all sorts of issues and potential scenarios. (In case this could be in any way grossly misinterpreted, I should make it very clear here I am only referring to the documentary itself being well done, and I am in absolutely no way whatsoever advocating anyone even consider such actions themselves!) Is it true this movie is banned in the USA? YouTube has a few clips and trailers.

[Lt Major Burns]

i've not seen any mention of the intitial articles subject matter on any of the major news sites. has this happened?

[spb]

Part of the present problem in US politics is that the opposition party stinks.

What I took from the last presidential debates was that Kerry's campaign slogan was, "I'm not Bush." The few points that stuck out as not being anti-Bush were not so hot -- such as his protectionist economic stance and one-on-one talks with North Korea.

Gore, Kerry, and (God forbid) Hillary Clinton are not the best candidates to run in the general election, but they are presently what comes from the Democratic party.

Compare these three to Bill Clinton. President Clinton was a centrist who worked to build consensus when possible. He would compromise when necessary to bring his policies toward what the voters (whom he represented) supported. He was (is) a great politician.

Actually, both Bush and Clinton are excellent politicians. They are also OK presidents (not the best but also not the worst). The brainless mobs that go around chanting slogans and carrying placards announcing, "I hate Clinton" or "I hate Bush" should perhaps shut-up and look around. They would realize that what makes these two successful is that they play to the center -- Bush placates the far right just as Clinton did the fringe left, but these folks were not the primary audience.

Anyway, that's just my two cents worth as a card carrying member of the American moderate majority. I don't expect any one to listen to this, but that's OK -- I and the rest of my cohorts will be at the polls in November electing the candidate that is best (or least bad if you prefer).

SB


P.S. Yes, I'm sick of hearing people talk about being embarassed by the president etc. etc. etc. I listened to this nonsense during the Clinton years and again now. Anyone with a "Not my president" or "Don't blame me I voted for XYZ" bumper sticker needs to grow up and realize what it means to live within a civil society. We have this process called an election... and the person to win... they are YOUR elected official. If you don't like it, then you should perhaps remove yourself from the process -- if not for your sake, then for the rest of us (pretty please).

[Satcomer]

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