Guarded Optimism - An Observation

[Steely_Dan]

We all seem to be waiting on eggshells as we anticipate what might result from today's hearing on the Downing Street Memo. Once again, I am reading a wide range of opinions on whether this is finally the incident that will turn the tide against the Bush Administration.

While I have held out much hope in the past that any single incident of deception, corruption or injustice by the Bush Administration would be the one that would turn public opinion against them, I have been left disappointed on every count. I would ask myself "Where is the outrage"? Just what is it going to take shake this Administration to the bone? Just what do they have to do to finally have the people say "enough"?

Not be left disappointed again, I have been holding out little hope that the DSM incident will be much different. I mean, I would give anything for a shred of hope that THIS would be the one.

After some thought, I have found that shred of hope residing in our recent past...

It seems to me that we can look back to the House on Un-American Activities and Joseph McCarthy. If I have my history correct, the red scare had a lot of momentum. It seemed that Americans bought into the notion that Communists were everywhere. It is a well-documented deception which was successful because it played upon the fears of the American people and called upon their patriotism. (Sound familiar?) It was not a single incident of deception that brought down McCarthy and his minions. It was a slow realization by the public that "something wasn't right".

It was almost as if they were finally brought to a point where they could hear the words "At long last, Senator, have you no shame?"

Are the American people now, after all that has happened, ready to hear those words and have a moment of clarity, a cathartic understanding of the deception and lies? Could this, at long last, be the rudder that turns this ship around?

I will be watching with great anticipation today.

-Paige

[Triana]

1. I think that's about the best we can hope for...

...a turning of the tide. Maybe this day will officially mark the occasion.

[Steely_Dan]

2. I hope so...

[Village Idiot]

3. I have so very little faith in the political process at this point...

All the ReThuglicans will do is lie, deny, propagandize, lie, deny...

I keep hoping that someone like Conyers or Boxer, or Reid, or Kerry or SOMONE will just say those words we all want so badly to hear.

"Mr Bush: You, sir, are full of shit. You deliberately mislead this country in initiating an illegal war and occupation for the express purpose of further enriching your corporate donors. You are a war criminal. You will be impeached, tried and convicted, then imprisioned at Guantanamo Bay..."

[Steely_Dan]

4. Here, Here!

[WhollyHeretic]

5. I can't help but have a little hope

I always get burned waiting for these criminals to get caught but I still always have some hope when something new comes along. I don't know what we'll have to catch them at if this doesn't bring them down. Maybe if we caught Bush in a room with a couple dozen dead bodies while he was urinating on the Constitution, maybe people might be able to work up some outrage.

I still hope that the DSM will bring down Bush and company and give me a chance to buy this book for Bush- http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1893626229/qid=1118935385/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/002-2252074-4528856?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

[Steely_Dan]

6. WELCOME!

Welcome to the DU Green...

-Paige

[WhollyHeretic]

7. Thanks for the welcome.

[newyawker99]

12. Hi GreenJ!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[annabanana]

8. I truly don't think they're "there" yet..

And I know better than to expect a "grand slam" today. If it gets some coverage at 6 and 11 it will be the most coverage it has received. It will contribute to the atmosphere required for light to travel.

I am heartened by the growing number of Republicans willing to go on record that "something's not right", as it is from them that salvation must arrive.

[Steely_Dan]

9. I too...

...really don't expect a "grand slam." However, as you imply, it should further people's distrust in this administration.

-P

[Viva_La_Revolution]

10. "At long last, Mr. Preznitwit, have you no shame?"

Yea. That's better.

;)

[ArkDem]

11. I'm just reelin' in the years.

[Steely_Dan]

13. Ahhhhhh....

Another Steely Dan fan...We're everwhere.

-Paige

[Jacobin]

14. Without a media,

they have been able to get away with ghastly conducted. Without a media they will probably be able to continue to do so.

At some point, whatever thay point may be, there will be some clusterfuck that finally gets average people soooo pissed off that they may start being forced to report the news. Sadly, that will probably be about two years after the draft is re-instituted.

[dalloway]

15. Here's my reason for HOPE:

I just got off the phone with my representative, Bill Pascrell's office. Mind you, while a dem he never sticks his neck out too far on anything I care about. I had nearly given up on his office, ready to campaign against him in the next election.

I've call when Conyers' letter first came out--imploring him to sign. No go.

I called again when Conyers said he was taking more signatures. No go.

I checked the afterdowningstreet site to see if he was on the list today. No go.

Then I heard Conyers be corrected by his staff member when he said he had 105 reps signed on--he was corrected to something like 144.

So I called again. Expecting to be disappointed. The friendly staffer said he'd check--put me on hold and said, yes, he had just signed.

So Rep. Pascrell, late to the party, but there all the same.

THAT is how I know the TIDE HAS TURNED.

I believe.