This week has me re-thinking everything...

[Atman]

I'm just kind of dumbstruck. We've lost. Not "we Democrats, I mean "We The People." The Senate doesn't even pretend to try anymore. The media is so obviously bought and paid for, we're never going to hear the truth about anything going on in Washington.

At this point the only explanation I can think of for what is going on is that BushCo is deliberately TRYING to foment revolution. They're pushing and pushing, waiting for We The People to crack, to take up arms, to storm the capitol. They will blatantly and boldly steal the 2006 election. And then 2008. At which point they can codify all their Orwellian policies, use the ensuing violence as "proof" that America is full of evil-doers and therefore necessitating continuation and even augmentation of their Secret Police State.

Sorry to be a Debbie Downer. Maybe I need to have a few beers and go hunt some quail to lighten up. But I'm telling you guys, I've never been this concerned. Serious shit is going down at an ever-alarming rate, and We seem powerless to do a damned thing about it.

Of course...I could be wrong.

[In Truth We Trust]

1. k&r I know exactly how you feel. I an afraid you may be right. I've had

way more than I can tolerate any further.

[Cobalt Violet]

2. I believe your right about the 2006 and 2008 elections.

It will be so obvious to us but I have no idea if the sheep will ever care.

You can bet it will be stolen. You can bet that the exit poles will be off again.

[AndyTiedye]

17. They Care -- So Much They Won't Admit That It is Happening

To admit that this band of drunken jackals has ABSOLUTE POWER over us all is just too terrifying! :scared::scared::scared:

[Webster Green]

3. Me too!

We're really fucked! There seems to be no way to even slow down the fascist takeover.

Most people don't see what is happening or don't care.

[henslee]

4. I am filled with dread. If things were not so shitty, I doubt I would be

here in the matrix of DU as much as I am.

[SammyWinstonJack]

60. So true. I know I wouldn't be here as much as I currently am.

[caligirl]

5. Had just this conversation with my hubby tonight. I am really worried

but hope that judges keep this from happening. Like one today who said Justice has to turn over wiretap papers in a FOIA suit.

[Atman]

7. And we all know what the BFEE will do with the Justice's order, don't we?

Light up a big fat stogie of fascism with it, and laugh in our faces. They have no intention of obeying any silly judge's order. Silly American!

[IndyJones]

27. I have this discussion with my husband almost every night.

It really has me worried.

[burythehatchet]

6. we're on the same track again

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=447999&mesg_id=447999

[Atman]

8. Holy shit!

Right down to the "I hope I'm wrong" part!

At least I'm not alone. Small consolation, but I'll take what I can get at this point.

[burythehatchet]

14. Check out the two trailers for "V for Vendetta"

It will blow your mind.

http://vforvendetta.warnerbros.com/trailer_2.html

[ewagner]

9. My friend, Atman

I know how you feel....but please don't be discouraged. Historically things like this have always happened and they've turned around even when there seemed to be no hope at all.

It's true...the forces of evil seem to have the upper hand everywhere you turn...they've been working on this for decades and it's been very well thought out...there doesn't appear to be any obvious reason for hope.

But history and fate have a way of dealing with people like Bush...

sometimes, it's their own hubris that brings them down. Have hope....even when there's no reason to hope.

e

[Atman]

Thank you.

I sure as hell hope you're right. I've never wanted to be so wrong in all my life.

[xxqqqzme]

61. I hold your hope as well.

but also, historically, many, many innocent people end up paying for that hubris before it is brought down. I fear it will get much, much worse before it gets better.

Add: the rollover on the patriot(sic) act but most especially the 'deal made 2 excuse & 'fix' the domestic spying is the signal for me. If the Senate is going 2 'fix' FISA, the neo-cons have it all!

No election this year or in '08 is going 2 change anything! Hell, I'm willing 2 bet steroid boy even 'wins' in November.

[Erika]

10. W the corporatist is just dividing us and distracting us(all of us)

While he does away with the middle class and income redistribution is complete.

Our biggest hope is that the Bushbots will wake up and help us take back our country.

[hopeisaplace]

15. I agree with your analysis

think you nailed it.

[nofurylike]

11. simply,

:hug:

[Old and In the Way]

12. I liken it to a 30 year boil.

The patient (us) has been living with it while its been festering, under the skin, for that length of time. Recently, its gotten to the point where it's gotta be dealt with. It requires serious surgery. We may not survive, but it has come to a head and we will surely die if we don't do anything.

[AndyTiedye]

18. I Thought You Meant Slowly Raising The Water Temperature So...

...the lobsters don't realize they are being cooked.

[TomInTib]

13. re-think everything very day. And remember that with this gang...

no matter how bad or outrageous the situation may seem, in reality it is worse.

[KoKo]

16. It's pretty discouraging. I can't believe how the Senate is acting.

At least in the House we have some fighters...but only three voting against Patriot Act Renewal? Reminded me of the Iraq Resolution. What are they thinking? Only Byrd, Feingold and Jeffords stood up to them?

I don't know what's going on...but I never believed it would get this bad. I always thought they'd have to answer before now.

I'm getting the feeling there are some powerful forces fighting back out there, though. We on the internets and within the Government itself. Look at the pictures released to Salon. We thought we'd never get anymore photos released. And it seems that every few days another Whistleblower shows up..and another book is published condemning something the Bush Cultist Crime Family has done or is doing.

I guess it's going to take longer than any of us ever imagined. And, we have to hope that the "forces" can start to turn things around. The last shoe to drop is the economy.... I hope we all can make it through. I suspect we will ..one way or the other.

[Fire Walk With Me]

19. Keep sticking it to the Moslems with cartoons to prove that they're evil

then you get everyone together against an obviously unreasonable enemy. Whatever it takes, divide and conquer.

Repeat as needed with any other obvious division.

[Singular73]

20. Its not that they want a revolution

They just dont have another viable defense.

Its not politically a bad move.

Bush couldn't deny Domestic Spying. He HAD to assert that he had that power. What other choice did he have? Go directly to jail?

Cheney HAS to say he can declasify via executive order. To me, this is actually positive news. It means that they think that Cheney will get squeezed on this, and that they have proof he leaked.

There is no other defense.

So why not give up? Because on the countless forums on the internet I vist that are not slated towards politics, ALL the independents are voting democrat next elections, as well as some moderate republicans.

Why?

They are nervous. Its an emotional response. Hard to tack down, but they dont like whats going on.

The democrats are a joke. They have no message. They have no leadership. Besides Al Gore, I cant think of a single democrat I actually respect.

But, democrats will win this next election. People have had enough. Finally. And it is not because democrats engineered anything.

It is, unfortunately, by default.

[Mythsaje]

22. Barbara Boxer, John Conyers, and Maxine Waters, to name a few...

I won't say there's a bunch of them, but there are a few worthy of respect besides Gore.

[SupplyConcerns]

34. 2006 and 2008 will be stolen

The only question is: how will the people respond?

[Cobalt Violet]

41. I don;'t think the masses will care again.

I use to have more faith that Americans took their vote more serious but I don't any more. We care, but most don't.

[skids]

21. "It's the economy, stupid."

It'll all change when people have to pass their homeless neighbor in the street, on the way to their third grocery store in search of bread.

[omega minimo]

23. Aren't you too young to be resigned to that?

Hi skids :hi:

[skids]

24. Well if I beleive what this woman told me back in college.

I have a very very old soul. Practically ancient. :eyes: :hi:

[omega minimo]

28. Old souls aren't cynics

:evilgrin:

[Justice Is Comin]

25. I would agree

but there are just too many cover ups in some stage of investigation. It's like a cover up du jour. With this many cracks in the wall, the wall will collapse. Too many eyes, too much pressure, too many Republicans will get increasingly more worried about their cushy job, too many things keep getting revealed daily.

This doesn't even take into account the ones that will be revealed that we don't even know about yet, because I guarantee you there is fungus in this outfit in every single thing they do.

But my ace in the hole confidence is that I'll bet you anything, somebody will come forward with a ball buster bombshell that will be like Elliott Ness busting Al Capone. I just feel it. Some one is going to say, I've just seen too much and light up this bunch up like nitroglycerin.

Keep the precept of faith, good things sometime come slow but America always, always, lands on it's feet.

[mwb970]

46. I'm hoping for a "big bang" too.

There's a real bombshell on the way. I'm sure of it.

[cry baby]

26. My feelings exactly today. Will we, as the opposition, end up

in a "camp"? If we do, will the bushcult approve or even notice that we're gone? Will the corporate media report it? If we end up like that, I guess I'll get to meet many of you in person.

[blossomstar]

29. feeling exactly the same here... so depressed, frustrated, SHOCKED maybe?

How can the people allow this insanity to go on and on and on??? It is all insane, or maybe I am?

[Hardrada]

30. I saw this with Nixon and Agnew and felt they would drive me

bananas. But I'm still here and they and most of their minions are not. People thought the USSR government was set in concrete and that is all gone. This admin will fall too because they have turned off all the warning systems that could save them from their follies and because they are not dealing with reality and they willbe surprised when they are finally hit with it. Al Gore said as much in his much unreported great speech of a few weeks ago.

[midnight]

32. Al Gore's speech

I remember reading it,but would love to read it again. Anyone bookmark that?

[Lexingtonian]

31. I dunno...I don't get that particular vibe

My take on it is that DC Republicans are simply losing it. They don't know wtf they're doing anymore or why it's worth doing. Sure, it's all in the playbook, it's all what their "investors" want, playing things as they are could keep them in majority for another cycle.

But in the big picture that Eisenhower or Reagan era America they wanted back just is Gone, is Over. Mayberry will never be again.

Still, they've gotta try, and if the Belief isn't really there they'll fake it and just do things by Will. And as their order of things disintegrates they're throwing what they can at the chaos or void to try to reimpose some kind of order. What they have is paranoia, racism, sexism, 'free markets', national vanity (uh, 'patriotism'), and all that. But they don't have the energy or unity left to sustain it all for very long. The bigotry/chauvinism wants out.

I'm thinking of the present phase as a kind of Republican indulgence in Primal Scream therapy. It's horrid, it's nonsensical, it's too high a volume, it's barbaric, it's necessary in some fashion. In a couple of months they're mentally and physically exhausted, no where left to go politically.

[Hardrada]

33. There is a precedent here. The old Hoover-style

capitalism with its false hopes ran out of steam. Something like the Tsarist government did in Russia (it actually collapsed pretty much on its own since the revolutionaries were scattered all over the place).

[info being]

35. I think you're right

That's how dictatorship works I guess.

[rman]

36. One of a bully's favorite tactics

is to provoke the other guy into throwing the first punch, as to have plausible justification to run him completely into the ground.

[LunaC]

37. Come join the club

I had my own personal pity-party meltdown earlier today too....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x445900

The weight of watching our worst fears unfold before our eyes can be temporarily crushing.

[Senator]

38. The only thing we've lost is our illusions

"We are the ones we've been waiting for."

--
www.january6th.org

[Burried News]

69. Absolutely. Thanks

[Maraya1969]

39. They will NOT steal the 06 and 08 elections!!!!! There are too many

people who know what has happened. Heck there are law suits filed already.

Think crappy about this administration but never give up on our power to make things right.

Remember Rev. Martin Luther Jr.'s speech: "I have a dream" and think of all the progress black people, women, gays and others have made in this country. If he had said it was useless people would have just given up.

NEVER GIVE UP AND NEVER DECIDE YOU HAVE LOST BEFORE YOU HAVE EVEN STARTED THE GAME!!!!!

Everything is won in the mind first.

[Mad_Dem_X]

62. AMEN!

Keep hoping and keep trying to make things better...people are slowly but surely waking up and seeing how this corrupt admin. has destroyed everything. We (the non-sheeple) need to come together as a force and slap these criminals with the truth.

I feel helpless a lot myself, but I refuse to give up hope. I refuse to give up on my country!

[xxqqqzme]

63. law suits! - law suits?

they don't give a rats ass about law suits! Haven't you been watching in horror as the supreme court has been packed w/ executive power cheerleaders? THE only reason roberts & sammy were nominated! Oh yea, the rong wing fundies thought Roe V Wade was going down - ha! that should be worse thing 2 happen.

lawsuits are useless w/ these criminal neo-cons.

[Burried News]

70. Tom Delay? Small victory ... but I'll take it. Libby - ditto

[titoresque]

68. By not tossing your vote

to a machine that will steal you blind does not mean that people
are giving up! There are other ways, quite possibly ways by which
"we the people" can really make change that does not include voting for
politicians who are.... or will be soon bought and paid for!

If we're ever going to really save this country from certain demise we need to stop thinking the same way that we have been for generations.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results. This is insane!!!

[passy]

40. In order to endure the present one must look at the future.

Reality, that which is such a hard concept for the *ites to comprehend but easy for them to distort, is actually our greatest weapon.
The reality we must learn to accept is that this administration will soon die out, like all the other morally corrupt ones before it have.
We must quit being so downtrodden.
So things are really not looking good, actually they are probably much much worse than any of us can even begin to imagine, but this is irrelevant.
We must simply assume that this administration will fail and all its crimes will be uncovered, and it won't be pretty, actually most of us will hate ourselves for being so incredibly ignorant and passive, but this is just the beginning, what will come after offers great possibilities for the United States.
Our battle cry should be "Imagine a world without Bush".
Always concentrating on the negatives will get us nowhere, people can clearly see in their daily live that things have gradually gotten worse over the last five years.
People are consumers, they need to have something to have, they want to have something dangled in front of them like a carrot, something they can treat themselves to.
So sell it to them, go out and tell everyone, "Wouldn't you like a world without Bush?", I sure would love that, "Where can I go to get it, can I buy it if I sell you my car? Hell I'll sell you my kidney if you promise me I can get it."
We all want a dream to aspire too, MLK was a great salesman, let us use his sales tactics, create the dream, mold it, sell it along, make people happy to have something to look forward to and make them work for it; and they will.
In order to sell the dream let us look at what a *-free US would look like. Clean environment, universal health care, a functioning education system, no more oil-wars, no more fear etc...
Let us just assume that * is in the past, we know he can't sustain that many blows without been weakened. This misadministration is like a scary giant who is standing on long spindly legs that are slowly disintegrating. So the fall will be big and the ensuing crash will reverberate for a quite a while, but beyond that, is the future we all aspire to, the real future, the one will all imagined would come in the year 2000, not this Orwellian nightmare.
I can't promise you flying cars and skin tight suits for everyone, but I'm sure we can look forward to a clean, affordable and peaceful world.
I will finish by reminding you all that we have something to look forward to, something beautiful, like something out of a dream, and it will come, trust me it will come.

[Loge23]

42. This AM in the WSJ

It is reported that Senate Intelligence (boy, is that a misnomer!) chairman Roberts "worked out" a deal with the junta to "fix" the FISA law around the crime in exchange for expanded briefing for lawmakers (another misnomer).
Meanwhile, the idiot president asks (read: demands) for another $92.2 billion of our money to wage his illegal war.
Just full of good news today.
And all we get is a unlimited stream of comedy over the drunken escapades of the idiot's boss.
You have a point, Atman.

[The2ndWheel]

43. I had that same week

But it was sometime in the early spring of 02. When I finally understood that it was bigger than BushCo, it really was liberating(but with flowers and candy this time). But I only formed that opinion after reading about BushCo.

It never has been, isn't, and will never be "our" government. Civilization is the problem, not the solution. Humanity is a freak show.

I don't think you're wrong Debbie.

[mmonk]

44. How much further down can we go?

That is the question that is on my mind. We are effectively conceding rights bestowed on us by the constitution that protect us from a government out of control and seeks a totalitarian existence. We are a country that runs torture camps around the world and even tortures children. Is there anything more morally bankrupt than torturing children? We live in a country where a great many people have information vital for a decent, modern, and humane society kept from them. We live in a country that respects no international law or conventions designed to create a more peaceful world. We live in a country that does not support the idea that countries other than itself have any right to self determination or sovereignty. At what point does this begin to affect us beyond than just the senses? What repercussions do we face as a people for this outlook and behavior? At what point do we lose too many rights or devolve into no moral compass whatsoever? At what point is it too late? Seems to me that point is fast approaching.

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

47. and when will the rest of the world decide to push us further down?

We have lost the moral high ground for the forseeable future. We are giving away our country piecemeal by selling our assets and indenturing ourselves to foreign monetary interests. A "Super" power in what sense? We will soon be or already are superceded by many other countries in many other ways: morally, economically, technically, defensively, and any other "ly" you can think of.

Eisenhower tried to warn us and he couldn't have been clearer - "Beware the military-industrial complex". Well, we didn't - we sold the country to them and now we are all reaping the results.

[mmonk]

48. It seems to me at some point

an attempt will be made to have us crumble economically to grind us to a halt. The recent economic summit in Asia I believe was a warning shot when the US was not invited.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

45. We lost on December 13, 2000, when Herr Busch was selected.

[Lerkfish]

49. I've been having that feeling for quite some time now.

I feel the gig is up, fascism has already taken enough of a foothold it cannot be dislodged through normal means.

[KAT119]

50. The shot in the face=in your face WH lies & America has had SILENT

Heart Attack - fatal?= Funeralgate ll to follow?

[Gregorian]

51. Just one problem that "storming the capitol" won't solve.

The fact that it's not Bush. The fact that is't THE PEOPLE. It's the people who let this happen to the degree that Bush got into his position. Now we are there. And in that sense, maybe all that we have left is what you talk about. I see it as no different than Thomas Jefferson's concepts, in that they are still the answer, but not realistic in a modern state. I mean revolution.

We need those supposed 40% that think everything's just fine. Those forty who think Bush is doing the right thing, even if it means listening in on their phone calls. Little do they know. Little do they care. They're the same ones who think the Avenue of the Giants means there are still old growth redwoods, when indeed it's just an avenue. A strip, to fool you into thinking it's for real.

Our Democracy isn't even a veneer anymore. We can't dodge 50 caliber bullets in Miniguns. And the truth is not being told. We need those 40%.

We'd do better storming the corporate media headquarters and demanding they tell the truth from now on out.

We are in legal straight jackets. They have the guns and cells. We're fighting a war unarmed. We had better get more soldiers.

[Atman]

54. Just so it's clear...I'm not advocating "storming the capitol."

I have no problem with protest marches and demonstrations, especially if (and perhaps only if) we can get them HEARD AND SEEN...which is where the part about "storming the media" comes in. Now that actually makes sense, for at this moment BushCo only wields as much power as the media is willing to provide it.

Unfortunately, that's a lot.

[Gregorian]

58. Doesn't it suck? Can't even discuss hypotheticals.

One corporation under God. I apologize for taking your statement and quoting it that way. I understand. And I understand. Really shitty.

We're just on our way to being another crap country. I've resigned myself to that since Reagan took office. It was obvious to me back then. I was shocked to see Bartcop and DU. I thought I was totally alone until then.

Let's hope we gain traction.

[stop the bleeding]

52. I feel pretty depressed about everything as well

[TheModernTerrorist]

53. I agree

I'm very heartbroken about all of this :cry:

[Klukie]

55. I have to admit...

that I have had a feeling of impending doom for some time now and most recently it has been hard to shake. My motto in life is go with your gut and right now I have a real sinking feeling.

[rucky]

56. Anybody paying attention is right there with you.

there are some inevitable conclusions we all need to reach before we can really take action.

[leftchick]

57. 4 out of 5 voters voting on electronic voting machies this year!

you can kiss this country goodby. I know I am. :(

[spanone]

59. I'm sickened with this shit too. I fear they would not be putting this...

much power in the presidents hands if they are going to turn it over to the democrats. Somethings rotten.

[Armstead]

64. Here, read this thread by anotehr DUer...Might make you feel better

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x451866

[converted_democrat]

65. You are absolutely on target.. What do you think the Patriot Act is

really about.. It's exactly what the title states.. It is the Patriot Act.. Thy will use it against American Patriots.. I've been saying this for the last year..

[earth mom]

66. I hear ya and I've been feeling the same. But I have an idea...

The only thing these people understand is money and greed.

Maybe it's time for revolution of this kind....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x446585

:evilgrin:

[Carni]

67. When I see Shea's and that Repuke geek from Florida teaming with Dems

Against the UAE ports thing you had better believe I am getting nervous--I thought those two wouldn't have EVER gone against their Chimperor for any reason.

Has this asshole sold us to Saudi or China or who?

His (Their?) motivation is clearly the undoing and overthrow of the country so who'd they sell it to?

What other conclusion can a person come to lately?

[Burried News]

71. What were the odds of this guy winning?

[schrodingers_cat]

72. Arghhhh - me too!

FRONT PAGE STORIES
Home Sales Falter -- Hints Of A Slowdown
- Kelly Zito

Bush satisfied with how Cheney handled shooting
Texas sheriff's office closes case -- no charges will be filed
- James Gerstenzang, Los Angeles Times

White House calls report on detainee treatment 'rehash'
U.N. investigators said some techniques amounted to torture

Budget glitch ignites partisan battle in House
GOP squelches bid by Pelosi to probe how bill advanced

Push to protect whistle-blowers
Congressional effort to improve existing laws
- Scott Shane, New York Times

Feinstein, Boxer: Make drilling ban permanent
Strong response to push for new oil, gas
- Zachary Coile


These are the headlines from my local paper at:
http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/


I had that same feeling, so many things getting steamrolled, so many ineffective attempts to reign them in. It was indeed difficult to read it all. But reading the last few gave me some hope - our california girls won't give away our lovely oceans without a fight.

[seafan]

73. Here is what I think Americans should do, starting now:

The single, most cherished element of our freedom under our Constitution is the right to vote, and to have it cast fairly and counted accurately.


People should hold peaceful, but strong demonstrations at the Supervisor of Elections' office in their home county, demanding that each county authorize voting with pen and paper ballots only, hand counted at each precinct under direct observation by representatives of all political parties, and the results immediately telephoned in to the Secretary of State's office.

This is OUR right to a proper vote. No elected official will move on this unless we force this crucial issue. The logistics of this are that there can be a steady stream of people maintaining this vigil at our County Boards of Election Offices across the country, that it would not be a hardship for anyone.

We must force this issue.


While Fitz completes his cases,

While honorable and fair judges issue their rulings,

While whistle blowers in the various agencies speak up,

While steadfast investigators plow on with their careful and deliberate work,

While more and more ex-government agency employees speak out,

While we continue to search out and spread the truth of what is happening to everyone around us,


Let us, We The People, starting tomorrow, demand our right, for all future elections, to vote on a paper ballot that is hand counted under direct observation at the polling places immediately at the close of poll hours, and with all results immediately telephoned to the Secretary of State's office.

The only way out of this morass is to rescue and reclaim our right to a free and fair election. It stares at us in our faces.

Simply, nothing else will matter if we fail to do this.

This is the assignment we must accomplish.