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Abuse of Power
From Nixon, Reagan to Lil Bush we have seen a reoccurring theme of Republican lawlessness and systematic abuse of power. Isn
Posted by rabblerowzer on Jul 12, 2007 at 5:55 AM
Hello Prof. Douglas:
Let’s use two metaphors, both drawn from Roman history. Late Republican Rome and early imperial Rome are themselves such a rich source.
It’s no “veneer” to see Sejanus in Cheney. It’s no veneer to see America (the Empire since 1896) as hated and feared, even by millions of its own citizens.
The truth goes way beyond beast fable—
Those wretched ephemeral babblers lusting after the purple in ‘08 notwithstanding, a slide into the abyss can only be slowed, not reversed.
No political force exists which can not be enslaved or aborted by MIXR—the military industrial Xian right.
Cheney, our postmodern Sejanus, merely catalyzes the rot of Empire.
This is not necessarily a bad thing.
“Ceterum censeo, Carthago delenda est.”
eye-of horus
copyright asserted 2007
Posted by eye-of-horus on Jul 12, 2007 at 10:52 AM
Addendum:
Posted by eye-of-horus on Jul 12, 2007 at 11:06 AM
Hi Y’all !
I’ve been away for a while. Summer school!
Need we even ask this question?
Yes!
People like Cheney aren’t evil. They’re not doing what they do to get back at God. Rather, they are just greedy, opportunistic b*st*rds who will do whatever it takes to get the biggest piece of the pie and control who gets the rest. Then again, that’s probably evil.
Isn’t it funny that we have these misdealings and shenanigans EVERY time republicans get into the White House?
Had Al Gore been elected we would have probably NOT had 9/11 as he would have eliminated those who attacked the USS Cole, a group (the taliban) that Georgie Jr. invited into our country as guests a few months later. Had the airliners been seized under his watch, he would have had F-15’s shoot them down instead of sitting there like an ignoramus reading a children’s book. And ol’ Rush would have deconstructed his actions with the fervor of the true believing idiot scamming the rubes with snake- oil.
“IT WAS JUST A SCHEME TO GET RID OF BARBARA OLSON! SHE USED TO CRITICIZE HIM! FOLKS, DON’T YOU SEE WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE WILLING TO DO TO MAINTAIN THEIR PC AGENDA?”
So easy to dupilcate.
CORRECTION: strike the word “like”. Especially if that’s what you are.
It would not surprise me that Cheney is more responsible for foreign policy dictates than most realize.
Let me throw out a tin-foil- in- the- hat postulation:
Is it entierly possible that Chandra Levy was murdered under the orders of high-ranking GOP’ers to keep Gary Condit, the only Democrat on the energy comission, VERY busy until energy policy (the B.S. we’re currently suffering) could be worked out.
I know. It sounds crazy. Then again, this administration has shown it will do ANYTHING to achieve its goals. Is, then, eliminating one twenty something worth billions in revenue?
Now I’m sure one of the right-wingers who cruise these site on an hourly basis will come after me. Have fun.
Posted by Aunty Rightwing on Jul 12, 2007 at 10:31 PM
P.S.
one of my right-wing detractors made the juvenile comment that my posts were some sort of way to stay connected to the world. How pretentiously junior high school of you, especially since that person is on this post nearly every single day, sometimes several times per day. Attack based on premise of argument rather than ad hominem. Let’;s try to keep the postings at an adult level. Otherwise go to LGF and act like a moron!
Just an opinion!
Ta-Ta!
Posted by Aunty Rightwing on Jul 12, 2007 at 10:38 PM
We make a big mistake when we lump all Republican’s as being in favor of Shrubs’ version of the Party.
In this East Texas bastion of the GOP, I have heard many who are embarrassed that they ever voted for the boy.
Just as not all Muslim’s support bin Laden’s version of Islam and not all Democrat’s think that Pelosi is the greatest Speaker, we have to understand that some good people are in all the above groups.
We have to reach out to them, rather than castigate their party or religion because of the actions of a few.
One thing that has slipped below the radar it seems, is the fact that we are all American’s, despite Party affiliations.
The Democrat’s embarrassed me with their opposition to a Voter ID Act. Hell, we have to show ID to conduct all sorts of business, none of which is more important than casting a vote.
Aunty Rightwing, I can’t agree that Al Gore would have done what you felt that he would have done. But, I am fairly certain he wouldn’t have invaded a country that had no real connection to 9/11. I wasn’t thrilled that he was the candidate of my party. But I was horrified at the thought of the Shrub as President. With good cause, it now seems.
Posted by farmer on Jul 16, 2007 at 7:12 AM
Is there even a question about this evil man? He’s won another point….attack Iran….just today. But, in case you don’t really know about CHENEY’S SECRETS:
CLICK HERE
http://tvnewslies.org/html/cheney_s_secrets.html
Posted by skipper7 on Jul 16, 2007 at 11:06 AM
skipper7
Thanks for that link. Very scary and thought provoking.
Posted by farmer on Jul 16, 2007 at 12:50 PM
CHENEY BEHIND 9/11
If you don’t understand the significance of the numerous War Games all occurring simultaneously on the morning of September 11th 2001, then you are in need of an education.
There’s a reason that Dick Cheney has lied to the 9/11 Commission about the time he arrived in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC), and that his testimony is contradicted by Norman Mineta, the Secretary of Transportation, and Richard Clarke, the anti-terrorism chief.
Cheney’s role was to insure the plane would hit the Pentagon, thus giving the administration an “Act of War”, which he told the world on the evening of 9/11, correcting Bush on live TV.
Cheney was placed in charge of all anti-terror military drills in May of 2001, by an executive order from Shrub. Therefore, he had the power to schedule these drills, and to change the dates that they were originally scheduled (late October for some). Cheney also was intimately involved with the intelligence regarding terror threats (of which there was an abundance).
During the actual 9/11 attacks, Cheney had command authority not as Vice President (which has no authority in the military chain of command) but because he was in charge of the numerous exercises already in progress.
Norad’s conflicting stories about jet fighter responses have never been cleared up. The lies told by high government officials, although exposed, were not addressed through prosecution, nor by firing, demotion, or any other penalty.
This is a large subject, requiring much digging and investigation if you really want to know. I’m not sure most people really want to know.
Suffice to say, “evil” is an understatement. The man should be hauled off for high treason immediately. So should Rumsfeld, Bush, Ashcroft, Rice and the P.N.A.C. crew.
The Facts of September 11th
Posted by johndoraemi on Jul 16, 2007 at 2:18 PM
It is becoming increasingly apparent that life and happiness for all has not been the unwavering and primary agenda of governments and political leaders for the duration of our species. We either evolve into beings who feel for each other or we kill ourselves off. No tricks, no disguises and no lies. It is only through secrecy and deception that the suffering the world has endured could even exist. The US Military could fax all the details of their defense endeavors to all of their “enemies” and it wouldn’t make one bit of difference to the outcome which is never anything more than sickening death and the perpetuation of hatred and insanity. Dick Cheney’s mind is completely unaware of the pain he is inflicting on himself and the world but his body is not. You don’t suffer that many heart failures when you are at ease and peace with the world. Bottom line: The aptitude tests for politicians aren’t adequate. Being a ‘successful’ business executive who churned excessive profits means nothing when charged with the job of promoting peace and justice for all if you can
Posted by loudturtle on Jul 17, 2007 at 1:10 PM
johndoremi
I think most of us want to know. I know I do.
Yet it is so difficult to conceive that this administration could have and still is getting away with so much.
The safeguards, checks and balances that are designed to prevent such things are obviously woefully inadequate, to say the least.
As more and more American’s are becoming aware of the danger’s these two evil beings are creating, maybe, hopefully, things will begin to change.
If not, it’s back to 1776 all over again. And I damn sure want to avoid that.
Posted by farmer on Jul 17, 2007 at 1:40 PM
farmer - your post above is one of the best i have read here ( Posted by farmer on Jul 16, 2007 at 8:12 AM)! It is so very rare and delightful to have a voice of reason to pop up here. . .
Posted by wolf on Jul 18, 2007 at 9:55 AM
How about “the weasel incarnate”? But even the evilest weasel couldn’t dream up a plan to murder 3000 of its own (Americans) and scapegoat millions of others (Arab Muslims) to establish monopoly over our #1 drug (oil) and hegemony over the species (humanity). Weasels would be rightly offended.
No. I still think “evil” is better, for accuracy and weight.
Posted by McMicah on Jul 18, 2007 at 10:55 AM
Wolf…Thanks.
Lord knows I could spout off, cuss and raise merry hell over these two clowns. But to what point?
We all have to find a common ground and unite against this seizure of OUR government.
To me, it makes no difference if this is a Zionist plot or a ploy by big oil or Martians. WE have to stop it. And the best way is to calmly and rationally discuss solutions. Most of us are agreed that Duhbya and Company are bad for America and what it used to stand for.
My main idea is to regain representation in Congress by requiring donations to politician’s be made only by VOTER’s eligible to vote for that candidate and then with a limit of $2000. And back that up with a mandatory (for donor and reciever) prison sentence, no tennis camp, general population and forfeiture of the illegal money. That eliminates lobbyist’s, unions, corporations, PAC’s, 527’s etc.
Abolishing the Electoral College is long over due. The highest office in the land, and only that one office, is not decided by 1 man 1 vote, but rather by where they voted. It made sense in the 1800’s, but not today.
Just as Pelosi (of my Party, dammit) promised to end special interest influence and then turned around and went to a $10,000/plate dinner. Can anyone describe being two faced any better? Well, there is Vitter et al but…
Posted by farmer on Jul 18, 2007 at 11:52 AM
farmer - Perhaps one of the less discussed but more important issues of today is the lack of a rational energy policy in the US. Germany is actively developing photovoltaics, we should begin to do the same now. It would help to accomplish several goals, the three biggest being more US (and the West in general) energy independence, reduction of the revenues going to the middle east and lower carbon emissions. With only a very small downside (that is the federal/state money used to subsidize new energy sources).
While i like your idea limiting campaign funds, i do not believe it will ever happen (politicians would never vote for it, and the SC would likely defeat it as a limitation of speech). Even if it somehow did, soft money would make a joke out of the system, again. But i have no solutions to offer to the problem (other than, one day, having a house that runs primarily on alternative power sources).
I have mixed feelings on abolishing the Electoral College. It has it benefits and its detriments.
Posted by wolf on Jul 18, 2007 at 1:02 PM
Wolf
I am all for any alternative energy sources for the simple reason that oil has to run dry someday. Plus, Exxon Mobil is making an unimaginable amount of money out of our dependence on oil.
I have no problem with any company making a profit. But when gas goes to $3/gal and Exxon profits go to 9 billion in one quarter, we are getting intercoursed without a kiss nor Vasoline. They can come out with all the charts and figures that they want to, but it still boils down to this: When the cost of your raw material (crude oil) goes up, your profits cannot hit record numbers unless you are raising prices faster/more than your costs.
When gas was selling at 50 cents/gallon, oil companies were making money. Not record breaking money, but enough to keep them in business.
I can’t accept that we can’t eliminate the bribing of public officials. No, they won’t vote to do it, it will have to be forced on them. And it is up to us to insist that it happens.
This insistence will have to come in a Constitutional Convention, I’d imagine—I’m no scholar about that part. And that Convention would have to be limited in scope to campaign finance reform to keep things orderly.
Eliminating soft money…I have no clue as to how that could be done, other than prosecute the folks that give and receive such money.
As to limiting freedom of speech, where is it written that a corporation, union, etc is entitled to use money as a method of speech.
The CEO’s and all employee’s would be able to donate money, subject to a cap per person…as long as it wasn’t a requirement for continued employment.
Lobbyist’s would still be able to submit ideas and ‘white paper’s’ on the client’s wishes, just not with a bag of cash, jet planes, credit cards for trips, etc, etc, etc. If an idea is good, why would a Congress Critter need to be paid to support it?
I can see no benefit to the Electoral College in this day and age. When the majority of the people vote for one person and another person is declared the winner, there is a problem.
When the West was sparsely populated and political control rested in the Eastern states, yes, it was needed. But that is no longer the case.
Posted by farmer on Jul 18, 2007 at 9:32 PM
Evil OR a Weasel? Is there a choice here? Why not a nice purulent combination of both? They’re not mutually exclusive, are they?
Posted by Flatus on Sep 7, 2007 at 9:31 PM
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Reader Comments
Abuse of Power
From Nixon, Reagan to Lil Bush we have seen a reoccurring theme of Republican lawlessness and systematic abuse of power. Isn
Hello Prof. Douglas:
Let’s use two metaphors, both drawn from Roman history. Late Republican Rome and early imperial Rome are themselves such a rich source.
It’s no “veneer” to see Sejanus in Cheney. It’s no veneer to see America (the Empire since 1896) as hated and feared, even by millions of its own citizens.
The truth goes way beyond beast fable—
Those wretched ephemeral babblers lusting after the purple in ‘08 notwithstanding, a slide into the abyss can only be slowed, not reversed.
No political force exists which can not be enslaved or aborted by MIXR—the military industrial Xian right.
Cheney, our postmodern Sejanus, merely catalyzes the rot of Empire.
This is not necessarily a bad thing.
“Ceterum censeo, Carthago delenda est.”
eye-of horus
copyright asserted 2007
Addendum:
Hi Y’all !
I’ve been away for a while. Summer school!
Need we even ask this question?
Yes!
People like Cheney aren’t evil. They’re not doing what they do to get back at God. Rather, they are just greedy, opportunistic b*st*rds who will do whatever it takes to get the biggest piece of the pie and control who gets the rest. Then again, that’s probably evil.
Isn’t it funny that we have these misdealings and shenanigans EVERY time republicans get into the White House?
Had Al Gore been elected we would have probably NOT had 9/11 as he would have eliminated those who attacked the USS Cole, a group (the taliban) that Georgie Jr. invited into our country as guests a few months later. Had the airliners been seized under his watch, he would have had F-15’s shoot them down instead of sitting there like an ignoramus reading a children’s book. And ol’ Rush would have deconstructed his actions with the fervor of the true believing idiot scamming the rubes with snake- oil.
“IT WAS JUST A SCHEME TO GET RID OF BARBARA OLSON! SHE USED TO CRITICIZE HIM! FOLKS, DON’T YOU SEE WHAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE WILLING TO DO TO MAINTAIN THEIR PC AGENDA?”
So easy to dupilcate.
CORRECTION: strike the word “like”. Especially if that’s what you are.
It would not surprise me that Cheney is more responsible for foreign policy dictates than most realize.
Let me throw out a tin-foil- in- the- hat postulation:
Is it entierly possible that Chandra Levy was murdered under the orders of high-ranking GOP’ers to keep Gary Condit, the only Democrat on the energy comission, VERY busy until energy policy (the B.S. we’re currently suffering) could be worked out.
I know. It sounds crazy. Then again, this administration has shown it will do ANYTHING to achieve its goals. Is, then, eliminating one twenty something worth billions in revenue?
Now I’m sure one of the right-wingers who cruise these site on an hourly basis will come after me. Have fun.
P.S.
one of my right-wing detractors made the juvenile comment that my posts were some sort of way to stay connected to the world. How pretentiously junior high school of you, especially since that person is on this post nearly every single day, sometimes several times per day. Attack based on premise of argument rather than ad hominem. Let’;s try to keep the postings at an adult level. Otherwise go to LGF and act like a moron!
Just an opinion!
Ta-Ta!
We make a big mistake when we lump all Republican’s as being in favor of Shrubs’ version of the Party.
In this East Texas bastion of the GOP, I have heard many who are embarrassed that they ever voted for the boy.
Just as not all Muslim’s support bin Laden’s version of Islam and not all Democrat’s think that Pelosi is the greatest Speaker, we have to understand that some good people are in all the above groups.
We have to reach out to them, rather than castigate their party or religion because of the actions of a few.
One thing that has slipped below the radar it seems, is the fact that we are all American’s, despite Party affiliations.
The Democrat’s embarrassed me with their opposition to a Voter ID Act. Hell, we have to show ID to conduct all sorts of business, none of which is more important than casting a vote.
Aunty Rightwing, I can’t agree that Al Gore would have done what you felt that he would have done. But, I am fairly certain he wouldn’t have invaded a country that had no real connection to 9/11. I wasn’t thrilled that he was the candidate of my party. But I was horrified at the thought of the Shrub as President. With good cause, it now seems.
Is there even a question about this evil man? He’s won another point….attack Iran….just today. But, in case you don’t really know about CHENEY’S SECRETS:
CLICK HERE
http://tvnewslies.org/html/cheney_s_secrets.html
skipper7
Thanks for that link. Very scary and thought provoking.
CHENEY BEHIND 9/11
If you don’t understand the significance of the numerous War Games all occurring simultaneously on the morning of September 11th 2001, then you are in need of an education.
There’s a reason that Dick Cheney has lied to the 9/11 Commission about the time he arrived in the Presidential Emergency Operations Center (PEOC), and that his testimony is contradicted by Norman Mineta, the Secretary of Transportation, and Richard Clarke, the anti-terrorism chief.
Cheney’s role was to insure the plane would hit the Pentagon, thus giving the administration an “Act of War”, which he told the world on the evening of 9/11, correcting Bush on live TV.
Cheney was placed in charge of all anti-terror military drills in May of 2001, by an executive order from Shrub. Therefore, he had the power to schedule these drills, and to change the dates that they were originally scheduled (late October for some). Cheney also was intimately involved with the intelligence regarding terror threats (of which there was an abundance).
During the actual 9/11 attacks, Cheney had command authority not as Vice President (which has no authority in the military chain of command) but because he was in charge of the numerous exercises already in progress.
Norad’s conflicting stories about jet fighter responses have never been cleared up. The lies told by high government officials, although exposed, were not addressed through prosecution, nor by firing, demotion, or any other penalty.
This is a large subject, requiring much digging and investigation if you really want to know. I’m not sure most people really want to know.
Suffice to say, “evil” is an understatement. The man should be hauled off for high treason immediately. So should Rumsfeld, Bush, Ashcroft, Rice and the P.N.A.C. crew.
The Facts of September 11th
It is becoming increasingly apparent that life and happiness for all has not been the unwavering and primary agenda of governments and political leaders for the duration of our species. We either evolve into beings who feel for each other or we kill ourselves off. No tricks, no disguises and no lies. It is only through secrecy and deception that the suffering the world has endured could even exist. The US Military could fax all the details of their defense endeavors to all of their “enemies” and it wouldn’t make one bit of difference to the outcome which is never anything more than sickening death and the perpetuation of hatred and insanity. Dick Cheney’s mind is completely unaware of the pain he is inflicting on himself and the world but his body is not. You don’t suffer that many heart failures when you are at ease and peace with the world. Bottom line: The aptitude tests for politicians aren’t adequate. Being a ‘successful’ business executive who churned excessive profits means nothing when charged with the job of promoting peace and justice for all if you can
johndoremi
I think most of us want to know. I know I do.
Yet it is so difficult to conceive that this administration could have and still is getting away with so much.
The safeguards, checks and balances that are designed to prevent such things are obviously woefully inadequate, to say the least.
As more and more American’s are becoming aware of the danger’s these two evil beings are creating, maybe, hopefully, things will begin to change.
If not, it’s back to 1776 all over again. And I damn sure want to avoid that.
farmer - your post above is one of the best i have read here ( Posted by farmer on Jul 16, 2007 at 8:12 AM)! It is so very rare and delightful to have a voice of reason to pop up here. . .
How about “the weasel incarnate”? But even the evilest weasel couldn’t dream up a plan to murder 3000 of its own (Americans) and scapegoat millions of others (Arab Muslims) to establish monopoly over our #1 drug (oil) and hegemony over the species (humanity). Weasels would be rightly offended.
No. I still think “evil” is better, for accuracy and weight.
Wolf…Thanks.
Lord knows I could spout off, cuss and raise merry hell over these two clowns. But to what point?
We all have to find a common ground and unite against this seizure of OUR government.
To me, it makes no difference if this is a Zionist plot or a ploy by big oil or Martians. WE have to stop it. And the best way is to calmly and rationally discuss solutions. Most of us are agreed that Duhbya and Company are bad for America and what it used to stand for.
My main idea is to regain representation in Congress by requiring donations to politician’s be made only by VOTER’s eligible to vote for that candidate and then with a limit of $2000. And back that up with a mandatory (for donor and reciever) prison sentence, no tennis camp, general population and forfeiture of the illegal money. That eliminates lobbyist’s, unions, corporations, PAC’s, 527’s etc.
Abolishing the Electoral College is long over due. The highest office in the land, and only that one office, is not decided by 1 man 1 vote, but rather by where they voted. It made sense in the 1800’s, but not today.
Just as Pelosi (of my Party, dammit) promised to end special interest influence and then turned around and went to a $10,000/plate dinner. Can anyone describe being two faced any better? Well, there is Vitter et al but…
farmer - Perhaps one of the less discussed but more important issues of today is the lack of a rational energy policy in the US. Germany is actively developing photovoltaics, we should begin to do the same now. It would help to accomplish several goals, the three biggest being more US (and the West in general) energy independence, reduction of the revenues going to the middle east and lower carbon emissions. With only a very small downside (that is the federal/state money used to subsidize new energy sources).
While i like your idea limiting campaign funds, i do not believe it will ever happen (politicians would never vote for it, and the SC would likely defeat it as a limitation of speech). Even if it somehow did, soft money would make a joke out of the system, again. But i have no solutions to offer to the problem (other than, one day, having a house that runs primarily on alternative power sources).
I have mixed feelings on abolishing the Electoral College. It has it benefits and its detriments.
Wolf
I am all for any alternative energy sources for the simple reason that oil has to run dry someday. Plus, Exxon Mobil is making an unimaginable amount of money out of our dependence on oil.
I have no problem with any company making a profit. But when gas goes to $3/gal and Exxon profits go to 9 billion in one quarter, we are getting intercoursed without a kiss nor Vasoline. They can come out with all the charts and figures that they want to, but it still boils down to this: When the cost of your raw material (crude oil) goes up, your profits cannot hit record numbers unless you are raising prices faster/more than your costs.
When gas was selling at 50 cents/gallon, oil companies were making money. Not record breaking money, but enough to keep them in business.
I can’t accept that we can’t eliminate the bribing of public officials. No, they won’t vote to do it, it will have to be forced on them. And it is up to us to insist that it happens.
This insistence will have to come in a Constitutional Convention, I’d imagine—I’m no scholar about that part. And that Convention would have to be limited in scope to campaign finance reform to keep things orderly.
Eliminating soft money…I have no clue as to how that could be done, other than prosecute the folks that give and receive such money.
As to limiting freedom of speech, where is it written that a corporation, union, etc is entitled to use money as a method of speech.
The CEO’s and all employee’s would be able to donate money, subject to a cap per person…as long as it wasn’t a requirement for continued employment.
Lobbyist’s would still be able to submit ideas and ‘white paper’s’ on the client’s wishes, just not with a bag of cash, jet planes, credit cards for trips, etc, etc, etc. If an idea is good, why would a Congress Critter need to be paid to support it?
I can see no benefit to the Electoral College in this day and age. When the majority of the people vote for one person and another person is declared the winner, there is a problem.
When the West was sparsely populated and political control rested in the Eastern states, yes, it was needed. But that is no longer the case.
Evil OR a Weasel? Is there a choice here? Why not a nice purulent combination of both? They’re not mutually exclusive, are they?
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