This country is split so badly now along blue - red that one side is endangering

[AlinPA]

our security just to make the President "lose" on his agenda -the new START Treaty. An agreement to monitor the reduction of nuclear weapons is stopped to appease crazed Fox "news" fans.

What is next?

With the country split this bad it should not be a surprise to see serious violence between the parties. The hatred of the President by the right, inspired by the crazed right wing media is dangerous. This is the worst I've ever seen the split in politics and I lived through the sixties and thought it was bad then.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. TSA gate is providing a point od unity

That said, said it for a few, we are moving to hot civil wars and we had already a few ahem flare ups.

[gateley]

4. Unfortunately both sides are blaming Obama. I hate to be

united with THEM on something that he's essentially responsible for.

That being said, as sabrina 1 said, the focus needs to be on the issue, not on the politicians.

I'm so sad to see the country come to this (the division). All because of money, profit and suddenly allowed to be let out of the closet racism. :(

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. As POTUS he deserves some of the blame

Never mind this started under bush...

As is I see they are looking for a way to dial this back...after all right and left together...that must be scary.

[gateley]

19. I wish he would have heard other "expert" advice rather than solely listening

to his anti-terrorist committee (or whatever it's called.) Although for all I know, he did, but for whatever reasons decided to go this route (I wasn't included in any of the discussions :7).

Anyway, it's done and now we just have to keep voicing our displeasure and see what they'll do.

[Maccagirl]

7. As another DUer has so sagely (and sadly) observed

There is not a "revolution" brewing-but a civil war. As a liberal, I would strongly suggest not bringing a knife to the gunfight.

[nadinbrzezinski]

9. Been saying that for years

Cold phases do go hot. Waiting for our Ft. Sumpter moment.

[leveymg]

14. Bring the Strategic Air Command. There once really were professional leftists and peaceniks.

[laughingliberal]

18. It is a rare point of unity. My problem with the RWers on this is, do they see all the abuses...

of our rights since 9/11 and are they ready to work against the Patriot Act and for the restoration of the FISA laws?

Or is it just going to be this one thing and they're OK with all the other abuses?

[nadinbrzezinski]

20. I wonder how awarevthey are of the rest?

You and I look for info, but many in this country, most in fact, are led by the nose by loud mouths on tv and radio...

[laughingliberal]

21. True. It would be good if people knew just how many Constitutional protections are now gone but...

I don't think they do.

[Occam Bandage]

23. Only on the internet. In the real world, 4 out of 5 Americans approve of backscatter machines.

Which is unfortunate.

[laughingliberal]

25. Yes, but I expect those numbers to drop as more stories are coming out. I'm betting most of the

polling is from before the stories started appearing. IOW, before the scanners were being used. It's one thing to support something theoretically....

[brentspeak]

2. It's difficult to says what's "Blue" and what's "Red" any longer

Case in point: Wisconsin now has a GOP governor, a GOP state legislature, and dumped a great liberal senator in favor of a Republican corporate clown.

[Occulus]

31. It's easy to say what's "blue" and what's "red".

The "blue" side believes in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights as the bedrock of America, believes in working through the courts to achieve justice (be that for accused criminals OR unjust laws), sees voting as an unalienable right for all adult citizens of legal voting age, and has no problem paying taxes because tax dollars build, support, and sustain a strong and vibrant country.

The "red" side believes that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights can be suspended for certain citizens for any reason or no reason, hates "judicial activism" (read: any decision they don't like), tries to limit or tamper with voting and vote counting, and hates the idea of taxation, even with representation (but has no problem benefiting from those same taxes). Oh, and they think certain people shouldn't be considered Americans.

If fascism becomes full-blown in the US (and we are already well on our way), it will be the "red" side that makes the attempt.

[Horse with no Name]

3. Some members in our family have actually sat down and talked about this

The Tea Party is a Pandora's Box. Nothing good will come out of this.
Casual conversation about where we should try to end up has been on the agenda.
I guess trying to guess where the geographical lines will be drawn.
The only sure bet is that it won't be ANYWHERE any of us are at at this point in time.

[AlinPA]

10. While we tend to draw lines of "red and blue states", IMO it won't be a geographical

structure, making it like the civil wars we see in countries where guerilla-like action occurs. Let's hope it doesn't get that far, but the screeching by people like Beck and Limbaugh is getting louder.

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. You are correct

Modern civil wars are not fought by the blue and the gray.

[howaboutme]

5. Media makes big money from our devisiveness

If anyone wants to point the finger of blame I see the MSM as being the legitimate target.

Every opportunity they get they promote politics over rational discussion. While they muzzle what they wish to be sidelined. They profited big time from the recent SCOTUS decision allowing unlimited dollars to enter election advertising. When their pundits say what you wish them to say, they are doing it only because they and their parent companies will be enriched.

If cable news and punditry could be shut down and muzzled forever we'd be better off. They drive the conflicts and they profit from it.

To the MSM: Give us the facts and then shut up and allow intelligent Americans to decide. The media controls us like a jockey on his steed or a puppeteer in a theater. Average Americans take to heart what is mostly propaganda intended to perpetuate the fight. Matters not whether CNN or Fox.

[MaeScott]

28. Your post is so true. nt

[Initech]

8. We can thank 30 years of right-wing hate radio for this.

[roamer65]

11. Very similar to 1859-1860.

IMHO.

[BrklynLiberal]

12. The repukes are perfectly aware of this..and frankly, my dear, they do not give a damn.

If it takes flushing the entire country down the toilet to ensure that Obama is a one term President, that is just fine with them.

[nadinbrzezinski]

16. It goes well before 2008

You could clearly see it in 1996.

[BrklynLiberal]

30. Yes. This is no last mintue, short-term plan. It has been in the works for decades.

[patrice]

13. It's called extortion.

[texshelters]

15. It's hard not to see the parallels

of what my friends said when Reagan was elected, or Bush I and II, and the far right said when Roosevelt or Kennedy or Obama was elected.

Yet still, we are here.

And it's our job not to let the far right lie and divide us further so their cronies can steal more of our money and land and resources. Social Security is the Next battle. Don't let them still it and privatize it our there will be nothing left for those that put money into the trust.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[MindandSoul]

22. I agree with you! And the people who are blaming Obama for TSA are crazy!

For 9 years, we have been asking for "security!" And yet, most of us knew that "security" was in one's mind, not in how many measures we are taking to "make us feel better!"
I have travelled a lot in the last 9 years, and. . .yes, the increased security has been annoying. . . and expected!
But, give me a break! Either we want the government to give us a "feeling" of security by monitoring who gets on flights, or we don't! I personally would prefer to take my chances. . .but if the government should suddenly call off TSA. . .we would complain about Obama failing to keep us safe!

Obama cannot win the "popularity war!" The majority of the public jumps on any band wagon that is AGAINST anything he does.. . .it's hell if he does, and hell if he doesn't!

So, let's get rid of all airport security. . .let's get back to our life as before 9/11. . .but then do not complain and do not blame Obama the next time a terrorist boards a plain and the plain explode in the air!
I'm ready to take that risk. . .ARE YOU?

And don't talk to me about "not flying anymore. . ." We are not safer in trains, or in cars. . .we are not safer on bridges, or in buildings that can also be attacked!

So let's forget about "trying" to keep safe. . .but let's recognize that it is not our government's fault if we are attacked!
Obama has done nothing but to try to give the people what they wanted: "a FAKE feeling of security!" NOTHING can keep us safe from suicide bombers. . .but they don't have to succeed in their bombing "attempts. . ." All they have to do is "pretend" that there has been a bombing attempt and we all go crazy. . .blaming Obama and DEMANDING that he keeps us safe!!!

WE are fooling ourselves. . . and we need to make a decision. . either to give up on that false feeling of security, or live our life without it and take the risk.

By the way, each one of us is still 100X more likely to die in a car accident within 5 miles of our home than to die in a "terrorist" attack! So why are we even LEAVING our house in the morning???
We all need to have a close look at all the ridiculous fear that has invaded us (and has been closely cultivated by big "security companies" since 9/11.
As Churchill said: There is nothing to fear but fear itself! We have been railroaded by those profit making corporations. . .We are not "safe," but we are not "in danger" either. . .Death will come to all of us no matter what. . .a little sooner, a little later! Being born is a death sentence! Accept it!
And stop griping about "being touched!. . and about your privacy being invaded. . .YOU ASKED for it!

[Odin2005]

24. We are reaching a point very similar to the US after the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854.

Things can only go downhill. There will be violence soon. The nation is sitting atop a powder keg.

Obama is Buchanan.

[Hawkowl]

33. Obama IS Buchanan!

A weak, compromising, appeaser. I just want to pull my hair out watching his craven body language and weak leadership.

[Kablooie]

26. The GOP has never really been for security, just power.

They have no standards or values. They will say anything that they think will give them power.

[wo ooo]

27. Just a question

If Timothy McVeigh blowing up a federal building wasn't enough to start a "revolution"/civil war in 1995, then why would one start now?

[Odin2005]

29. The popular mood is every different than in 1995.

15 years ago the crazies were shunned, now they are encouraged

[mdmc]

32. ..