Thom Hartmann: Why is Bush spying on Democrats?

[marmar]

Reclaiming The Issues: "Why Is Bush Spying On Democrats?!?"
by Thom Hartmann

Every time Democrats and progressives speak out about George W. Bush's spying on Americans without mentioning that he may also be spying on Democrats, they're playing into Karl Rove's "National Security Frame" and actually strengthening Republican electoral chances in November.
To short-circuit this, Democrats need to invoke the ghost of Richard Nixon.

If they don't, even Pete Hoekstra's new revelations that there are even more as-yet-unreported secret spying programs that Bush has been hiding from Congress will be used by Rove to say to average voters, "See? We're really looking out for you!"

The Bush administration doesn't deny it has been spying on Americans - they brag about it. They're listening to our phone calls, reading our emails, and looking at our bank transactions. They're gathering databases about our medical records, what we charge on our credit cards, and where we travel.

When Democrats point out that this is illegal without a court order, Rove simply floods the airwaves with Republicans who say, "We're doing it to protect you!"

The average American doesn't think this all the way through, and the Rovian frame seems like pretty commonsensical. In fact, it's at the heart of the right-wing rant.

For example, when some unfortunate and nearly illiterate idiots talked about attacking New York last week, the Bushies and the corporate press trumpeted the sting operation that led to these clueless wannabees' arrest as a "triumph in the war on terror!" Limbaugh intoned sternly that liberals would have prevented the United States from discovering such criminals, and all over America dittoheads nodded in agreement.


The rest of the article is at: http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0710-21.htm

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PER DU RULES.

[tom_paine]

1. Sure, it's an 800 lb. elephant in the room. But so what?

In Imperial Amerika we have a herd of them, a FLEET of them cruising around. Corruption upon corruption upon laughably shameless corruption openly performed in broad daylight. From voter disenfranchisement to Iraq War lies and on and on it goes.

And sure, it would be great if the Democrats would do this. But they are afraid. The Busheviks might get very tough with all that information they now have on all prominent Democrats. So the Dems remain silent.

It's a vicious cycle. And NEVER forget the exclamation point that was put on the whole thing when the Bushies (most likely and very probably) whacked Wellstone and anthraxed Leahy/Daschle.

I guess knowing you could be killed and that the ones who killed you would get away scot free and no one would even know that you'd been murdered...that might modulate your actions, mightn't it?

[marmar]

2. Good points...

Repugs are like an organized crime syndicate.

[AuntiBush]

8. Like?

I thought they *were/are* a crime syndicate but organized? LOL Not under Mr. Decider!

[C_U_L8R]

3. and spying on Republicans !!!!!!!!!!

for crying out loud....you'd think the repukes could get up a little outrage here too

why did we even bother with the cold war...republicans love totalitarianism

[marmar]

4. "republicans love totalitarianism"

Ain't that the truth!

[stepnw1f]

6. Volumes of Truth... their Biggest Lie

They HATE OUR FREEDOM.

[Initech]

5. Remember: Prescott Bush funded Adolph Hitler

And Hitler (like Nixon, Reagan, and Bush Sr.) was a man who LOVED to spy on his enemies, even if they were citizens of Germany. Bush is just following suit.

[Straight Shooter]

7. Thanks but no thanks, I don't want your steenkin' protection

Protection by the bush administration is as effective as protection from pregnancy by using a hairnet as a condom.

[me b zola]

9. k&r

Hartman is spot on...again :thumbsup: