Has anybody read "The Charm School" by Nelson DeMille?

[Democrat 4 Ever]

Whole premise of the book (excellent fiction, BTW) is that the Soviet Union set up a whole "villages" in Russia to train spies to assimilate into American society with absolutely no detection. They used MIAs from the Viet Nam war as teachers (book offered this explanation for so many soldiers still missing). Forced them into these camps and made them drill the spies into American life, language, vernacular, habits, etc. Gave a very credible posit back when the Cold War was an every day concern and made an enjoyable read.

I believe that is exactly what the repug party has done today in no small degree. I think that for years (40+?) they have been vetting, grooming and preparing for this very day. John Roberts is just today's "spy" put in place and trained for the day when a move could be made to "overthrow" the government. The College Republicans, the secret cabals of corporate monies, the right wing radio have been a decades long set of plans to subvert the constitution and democracy. It is their agenda (read PNAC) to completely remake America into their image of fascism. They will not do this by guns and a coup d'etat but silently, slowly depending upon a vast majority of citizens sleeping during elections, by disenfranchising the opposition and having a whole stable of people to run for office, occupy judicial benches and a "moran" to sit in the Oval Office. (You honestly think Chimpy is the last "moran" in the lineup for this party? Look at the repugs already making noise about running in '08!)The repugs don't care who sits in the various positions as long as they control the positions. Just look who they are supporting as possible candidates.

We are right now seeing the convergence of a "perfect storm" for the repugs. They have the White House, Congress and now working to solidify the Supreme Court. These two SC appointments will not be the last we will see during Chimpy's term. If fact, I predict that we will see at least one, maybe two before the 2006 elections. They know they are vulnerable for the mid-terms and this will be their last, greatest chances of packing the court for decades to come.

Dems are still of the belief that good will eventually overcome bad, that justice and truth with prevail over evil. I'm not so sure anymore.

[libodem]

1. very spooky

very plausible

[katsy]

2. Recommended for greatest.

Without the careful planning that you outlined, I don't see how the gop could have grabbed power in all facets of government.

I'm going to read the book.

[babylonsister]

3. Yes, this was the first book I read by DeMille and my

favorite! He's not prolific but he's really good!
And your comparisons are scary indeed.

[Democrat 4 Ever]

4. Thanks, I was wondering if anyone else could see the parallels

between repugs and the Soviet Union in a book of fiction.

[ForrestGump]

5. I love every book of his that I've read

"Cathedral" was the first, for me, and I've read it a few times since. He's a great storyteller, that's for sure.

Unfortunately, I think you might be on to something..the proverbial Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy in the flesh.

Of course, John Carpenter was also on to it with the film They Live...