When does a dictatorship cease becoming noticeable?

[IDemo]

GW Bush made a seemingly offhand remark on December 18, 2000: "If this were a dictatorship, it'd be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator." At the time, this may have been taken as an expectedly careless utterance by a colorful Texas governor. But now, five and a half years later, the words are chillingly prescient. The man actually believes he has dictatorial powers.

The list of abuses by this administration against Constitutional law, human rights, international law, environmental treaties, science, education, health, is endless.

And the mainstream media has given him a pass.

And the public has put him on their 'ignore' list. What a tragedy they voted Kellie off American Idol, huh?

The most blatant dictatorial behavior has presented itself in three areas:

1) - The bizarre misuse and overuse of the so-called 'signing statement' power of the Executive: to sign into law an act of Congress and subsequently render part or all of the law void because the Executive has deemed it unconstitutional, or, more accurately, a law which may threaten the power of the President. Bush has never vetoed a bill submitted to him, because vetoes, after all, can be overridden. He has instead excercised a virtual line-item veto of bills he or his advisers feel may threaten executive power. This over-excercised tool, the 'signing statement', has been used about 750 times thus far.

Read that again: 750 times, George W. Bush has declared that his knowledge of constitutional law exceeds (or simply negates) that of the body of legislators comprising the law-creating body of the US government.

2) - The enaction of war against a nation without a formal declaration of war, and despite pre-existing intelligence countering the fundamental reasons given as justification.

3) - The continuing defense of civil rights abuses against American citizens, first and foremost - the eavesdropping/spying on telephone and internet communications in complete disregard of the Fourth Amendment: "The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. As of yesterday, we read that the Department of Justice has called for a dismissal of a civil case involving ATT's sneaky re-routing of traffic next door for the full perusal of the NSA.

The dictatorship is in place. It is not charming, not reassuring, and not patriotic, despite how the pundits may continue to spin it. Neither will it lessen its deathgrip on the Constitution over the next three years. This is no longer just about a struggle between Left and Right, but a fight for America by all those who care about the Constitution and democracy.

[Erika]

1. And the Right is now deserting W

Maybe many of them also value the Constitution.

[leveymg]

2. This is getting to be a very unmanageable dictatorship.

Even the Joint Chiefs of Staff are telling The Decider where to get off.

Every major figure in the Bush-Cheney Administration is going to be indicted. And, everyone knows it.

[0007]

5. Everyone cheered for the Robin Hood.......Everyone hates this

gangster cabal except the cronies making a buck and staying ahead of the racing inflation.

This country has always had a way of making a hero out of crooks and making thrill movies about 'em. So will America cry when junior and the boys are in the Hague?

junior certainly wasn't no Robin Hood. In fact he was the death warrant to the poor average person making a living and the old. No Child left behind is the biggest joke of all times.

[dusmcj]

3. when the People forget what normal is. nt

[dweller]

4. November 2000, as i recall

and America Van Winkle needs to wake the f**k up.

sigh. It's after 2am and i'm suggesting to wake up. Going to bed and waking tomorrow with plans to wear a black armband ...
dp