Theater for the masses: mere criticism of torture and election fraud...

[Q]

...means little more than putting on a show for the electorate and does nothing for Democracy or Liberty.

We're about to see some of the greatest theater our government has ever displayed for the American people.

Even before Gonzales appears before congress to be 'criticized' for his enabling of torture...even before congress once again covers up election fraud and civil rights abuses...Democrats have agreed that they'll do nothing beyond putting on a show to demonstrate how 'tough' they are against torturers and election thieves. It appears that few if any representatives plan on standing in the way of Gonzales becoming Attorney General or election reform becoming a priority.

This is great theater...but it does little or nothing to advance democracy and ethics if all we see is 'tough talk' and no action.

Here's hoping that Democrats step off of the stage and refuse to go along with the career politicians so willing to sell out their country for political expediency.

[bryant69]

1. I don't know if the two are the same issue

But we definately need to get what Albert Gonzolez has said about torture on the record. We also need to answer the question of why it's not ok to torture terrorists, which is exactly the spin that is being used to slam us.

One answer is that we don't know if these are terrorists or not, of course.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. It's not OK to torture ANYONE, n/t

[Q]

3. They are NOT the same issue...

...but basically the same approach by Dems and others. Dems have already said that Gonzales will 'probably' get the job. So why bother with the inquiry if the outcome has been predetermined?

And what will be done beyond 'complaining' about election fraud? Will a few Dems standing up to protest the Ohio vote mean that they'll take it to the next step? Or will they back down to avoid becoming targets of the RWing Smear Machine?

[CWebster]

5. The political dynamic within the Democratic party

prevents them from forcefully pushing their alternative vision.

Rather than acknowledging Kerry as a weak, compromised candidate with little populous appeal (other than ABB) and working against a hostile media, they spin the failing as not being Bush-like enough to attract votes.

How is it conceivable that anyone could be so bad as to lose against Bush? Well, if Bush is propped up and legitimatized by the opposition it is just a reinforcement of Bush.

[ladjf]

4. I don't think that we have the mechanisms of politics

in place to elect anyone who is honest. Anyone who steps up and speaks the truth is immediately black balled by the establishment.
Further, the religion "litmus test" will exclude most of our best. That's because in order to get elected, candidates must publicize their religious faith. People who will do that are not likely to be the candidates of good character that we need.

[norml]

6. Theater, and criticism are better than no theater, and no criticism

of this torture, and election fraud. I hope there is a great theater, and great criticism done concerning these issues of torture, and election fraud.

[Q]

7. In a way you're right...

I'd like to see Bush and his cronies put on the hotseat at every opportunity.

But what will it accomplish in the end? We will have another version of Yesman Ashcroft as AG and a good chance of more election fraud in 2006 and 2008.

Great theatre is only good for the politicians who put on the show. After the show...the people are left with nothing but a torn ticket stub and an empty feeling about their country.

[G_j]

8. better than nothing......

is that we've come to?

Put on a little song and dance and then go ahead and confirm this man who has clearly demonstrated a reckless regard for human life.
Will they ask about his Texas death row memos also?
I won't hold my breath.

[Q]

9. I fear the same thing...

...it's like an Emperor keeping his citizens 'satisfied' by having gladiators fight each other in an arena or lions eating human beings for the delight of the bored rich.

Government has BECOME nothing more than one staged event after another. A pretense of one side 'fighting' the other for the good of the nation and all of them getting together afterwards for a good laugh and to celebrate their success in once again fooling most of the people all of the time.

[Q]

10. Looks like we predicted this one...

...as too many representatives cowered in the corner as the right of free and fair elections was left up to the people to defend.

[Malva Zebrina]

11. I think that Democrats are comfortable being the actors on the stage

being given the script by the Republicans.

They just go about reciting that script in all their thesbian proclivities, of course, being sure to make it sound as if they are actually not on script.