The Trap.
"But what in the hell are the Dems going to do if McCain makes a deal and this thing gets to the floor? Are they actually going to vote for a bill that eliminates habeas corpus for terrorist suspects? Because if they don't, you know what the Republicans are going to be saying, don't you? After all, the saviors of the republic and guardian kinghts of the constitution say this bill is ok. The only reason the Dems can possibly have for opposing it now is that they are terrorist loving cowards."
--Digby, on the problem of Democrats approving the McCain-Graham-Warner bill.
Catch-22. Approve a bill that strips away yet another basic freedom enjoyed by Americans, or be called an Islamofascist sympathizer.
You know, this isn't a new strategy. We've seen it before:
"Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ...Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."
--Herman Goering.
--Digby, on the problem of Democrats approving the McCain-Graham-Warner bill.
Catch-22. Approve a bill that strips away yet another basic freedom enjoyed by Americans, or be called an Islamofascist sympathizer.
You know, this isn't a new strategy. We've seen it before:
"Naturally the common people don't want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. ...Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country."
--Herman Goering.
Labels: politics
posted by Drew at 9:53 AM
3 Comments:
What would Iraqi's, Hizbollah, or Al-Queda do to American prisoners? It's not like we would resort to beheading POW's on live TV. Is their treatment of us ethical or constitutional? I think you would have a hard time finding anyone who would say it was. If torturing a guilty terrorist results in the learning of valuable information, I say so be it.
I'm not sure I understand. Do you mean to say that we're taking the moral high ground by not broadcasting our torture of "war criminals" on live TV (or the internet, etc.) in the tradition of a Hizbollah or Al-Queda? Just because we're not broadcasting it doesn't change the fact that we're doing it.
I also disagree that "valuable information" is gained through torture, and I'm appalled that you assume their guilt before due process has been done. That's what this administration's actions are about: shortcutting and flat doing away with due process of law, in favor of placing all power in the executive.
Also, if you're saying we're justified in torturing them (and killing them without due process) because they are torturing and killing us, then I seriously beg to differ, sir.
This is America. We have to be better than that.
St. Fuck said....
This whole "you're either with us or with them" is starting to remind me of the communist scare. soon random people will be accused of being terrorist or sympathizers.
I'm just waiting for HUAC to start up again. Hopefully with this coming election things can start to change.
Post a Comment
<< Home