Can we just admit we're in a modern version of a civil war?

[The Backlash Cometh]

I watched Woodward and Bernstein on the Daily Show last night and they made all good points. There is a big difference between this era and the Watergate era. One of them mentioned that it was the Republicans who wanted Nixon out but that scenario won't occur today because party loyalty is stronger. The number one priority for the Republicans today is to stay in power. Fighting Terrorism is second. We've already seen how they will hide translated information that would protect the nation, but might shed light on some of their less legal shenanigans.

So, if you have a party who is willing to break all the rules and puts fighting terrorism on the back burner in order to protect their own, won't you all agree that we are in a couped democracy? It was a paperless coup that never needed to fire a shot.

Any one see the signs?

[mode13h_net]

1. Not to mention an opposition party...

that, for the most part, says "please don't hurt us". There is, of course, some leaders that stand out from the rest of the democrat pack, but they unfortunately stand alone, i.e. conyers.

[Strelnikov_]

5. Do You Mean 'Democratic' Pack

[mode13h_net]

11. Yes, that's what I meant

or rather, that's a more appropriate way of putting it

[mattclearing]

6. Democrat is not an adjective. n/t

[mode13h_net]

12. sorry, I meant to refer to the party specifically

[TheDebbieDee]

7. Don't forget that the "please don't hurt us" opposition party, along

with the most visible members of the mainstream media were anthraxed shortly after 9/11.

The anthrax threats should not be used to excuse the rollover and play dead actions of the Democrats in the run-up to the Iraqi invasion. But the threats make their malleability more understandable.

[wli]

2. the only signs I see

The only signs I see are signs that the neocons/fundies are planning to exterminate the "insufficiently faithful" and "insufficiently pro-war."

[ThomWV]

3. Quick Perception Correction

I won't argue your point but there is an inaccuracy in a small part of what you said that you might want to know about.

Your statement "it was the Republicans who wanted Nixon out" isn't exactly true. I believe it was Bernstein who made the statement, and I don't recall his exact words, but the truth of the matter is that it was a group of Republicans, led by Barry Goldwater with others, who went to Nixon and told him there was no choice but that he resign. He had to do it, it was not a matter of those Republicans wanting him to resign. I am sure that Goldwater was savy enough to know that the stain of Nixon's resignation in disgrace on the Republican party would be so great that would ruin his own Presidential ambitions. However even that evil son of a bitch (Goldwater was as hawkish as his one-time running mate, retired Air Force General Curtis Lemay) held the good of the country above his personal ambition. Not a chance of that treasonous bastard in the White House now stepping down or doing anything else for the good of the nation.

That's all.

[H2O Man]

10. Interesting point.

Goldwater was considered one of Nixon's "almost friends." (Other than Bebe R., Nixon didn't have friends in the normal, human manner.) Goldwater went as someone doing Nixon a favor, saying that impeachment was not a possibility, but the only option besides resigning. They had shared a meal shortly before this, and Goldwater knew that Nixon had become unstable. Thus, he appealed to his sense of control: you decide, before they decide.

At that time, the public was so disgusted by what had occured on their tv screens with the Watergate hearings, that "party loyalty" forced republicans to drop support of Nixon. He was hurting any republican's chances of (re)election. For many years, republican candidates would not want to be associated with him.

I would not put much weight on what Woodward and Bernstein said. While they were great in the early 1970s, neither has done anything of particular significance since. They are kind of like musicians who had two good albums in 1973-74, and who thirty years later are playing in Vegas. Woodward has good sources in the Bush administration: does that make us trust him as an analyst? No.

Look at what has happened in two weeks. The republican machine has been on the ropes from the Plame scandal. We need to keep them there. The moderate republicans will see it is in their interest to separate from the administration.

[The Backlash Cometh]

13. Thanks for the insight

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. A fake civil war.

Yes, partisan rancor runs high but that's exactly what TPTB want. While you're arguing with Clem-Bob, your wallet is getting picked.

What TPTB won't tell you is that a majority of Americans agree on most things. Why aren't the things that we agree on being passed into law? Because...."What was that, Clem-Bob? Why you ignorant, little..."

And so it goes.

[DanCa]

8. More like a marcus de queensberry crusade

surpised at how gentlemanly it's been so far.

[Bassic]

9. I see the signs, but untill anyone takes to the streets

to mass proclaim their civil rights, it's not a war it's simply a carnage.