At year's end, signs of dictatorship abound in Washington

[reprehensor]

http://www.prisonplanet.com/123003yearsend.html

"As 2003 winds to a close, it is perhaps timely to assess the state of affairs in the nation's capital. As a long time resident of Washington, DC, it is striking how this city has changed-and not for the better.

The telltale signs of dictatorship and fascism abound in this city on the Potomac. Some of the signs-concrete barricades and 8-foot walls around monuments-are apparent. Others, like video cameras, although more subtle, are every bit as ubiquitous. For those who have never visited Washington, DC, or who traveled here during better times, the city that is suppose to represent the aspirations of the American people is now a hollow shell of its former self.

The White House Ellipse is now a security bivouac. The grassy area that once played host to Frisbee games between dogs and their owners, touch football scrimmages, and throngs of tourists marveling at the south façade of the White House are largely gone. They have been replaced by chain link fences, concrete Jersey barriers, menacing black Secret Service SUVs, squad cars, and security "men in black" armed to the teeth. Sitting in the midst of this security encampment is the National Christmas Tree. Once surrounded by rosy-cheeked youngsters who marveled at its thousands of ornaments and lights up close, the tree is now viewed after dark from afar-its future as endangered as its rooted relatives in the Rocky Mountain and Alaska National Forest and Wilderness areas.

Vice President Dick Cheney sent out thousands of Christmas cards this year that extolled the Bush administration's international imperial agenda by suggesting God approves it. Taking a quote by founder Benjamin Franklin out of context, Cheney's card read, "And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?" Fascists, imperialists, and colonialists throughout history have tried to invoke God's name in justifying their global ambitions. The Bush-Cheney regime is no different and hopefully it will meet the same fate as its fascist and imperial antecedents."

[beawr]

1. And How!!!

The Wife and I took our children to see the Nat'l. Christmas Tree a couple evenings ago. It was very depresing. I grew up in DC and remember how open the city was, even after the Oklahoma City Bombing closed PA Avenue in front of the White House. Now I read that the Fed in charge of Security at Dulles Airport here was DRUNK on duty during this last alert. I love my country and fear my Government, 'cause they certainly are NOT one in the same.

The Wall around the Washington Monument, erected only months ago, is a disugsting sight. I suppose that now we can let every paranoid fantasy take flight. What fucking good are monuments when they can't be accessed? Oh, by the way, there is restricted parking around the Nat'l. Christmas Tree, so I suppose if I contribute to the Republicans, I can get a prime parking space.

It is really starting to look as though 9/11 is our Reichstag Fire (or Nero's burning of Rome)

Repeat after me:

"Oh Canada....."

[FreakinDJ]

3. That is a great quote

I really liked that

"I love my country and fear my Government, 'cause they certainly are NOT one in the same"

Should be the national cry in times like these

[Southpaw Bookworm]

5. Me too

At the beginning of November, I went to the Mall for probably the first time in a year to show some family members around, including my future sister-in-law, who had never been to DC. My jaw dropped when I saw those barricades around the Washington Monument. I don't think you can even approach it without having a ticket first; that is, if they're letting people next to it at all. I hated that Libby's first view of her nation's capital was as a war zone, especially since it's mainly an effort at creating paranoia and not protection.

[xchrom]

2. great read

the cheney christmas card is truly telling isn't it?

[Judi Lynn]

4. It's simply grotesque. He shames his office.

Hopefully we will survive these imposters.