A Misconception that should be rooted out

[Crazyhorse1]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

Yup, I read the article. In fact, that's where I learned that the U.S. attracts more immigrants than all of the other nations on the earth ... combined.

You also made a good point about the lies, spying, etc. not being anything novel. I'm a strong advocate of civil rights, but, as a history major and history buff, I am very much aware that the lies, spying, etc. are nothing new. Crazyhorse, I don't think your assertion that Bush's actions (e.g. lying) are unprecedented is accurate. In fact, Bush's "trangressions against the Constitution" are relatively mild.

Consider, for a second, (1) The Alien & Sedition Acts made it unlawful to speak out against the government; (2) where blacks were 30 years ago, (3) that women were not allowed to vote or (in some states) own property until this century, (4) that FDR interned thousands of Japanese in prison camps during WWII (which makes Gitmo look like nothing), (5) FDR authorized the creation of military tribunals to try and execute Nazi terrorists, (6) FDR tried to "pack" the Supreme Court to get his policies approved by the Court (which makes the AUSA scandals look mild), (7) Lincoln suspended habeas corpus to jail guys who simply spoke out against the civil war (See Ex Parte Milligan), and I could go on. I would think that, as a professor in a liberal arts school, you would know that Bush's actions aren't so unprecedented.

For some reason, when railing a agaist Bush, people pretend as though no politicians have ever lied to them, our history is spotless, and everything would be paradise but for Bush. It takes the word exaggeration to new levels. In fact, it kind of reminds me of Kim Jong-Il speeches about the "imperialist, capitalist, pure-evil, blood-sucking" United States."

Your point is well taken and I am forced to agree that a case can be made that many of Bush's violations of Oath of Office, the Constitution, and international law, as well as his serial lying are not unprecedented. The McCarthy era, the Civil War (during which the City of New York actually fought a war against the United States over the draft), the Nixon era, Jefferson's nearly successful attempt at empire, Manifest Destiny, the Robber Barron era, etc. were all a threat to freedom and principles, as well as the desidera of irrational national phenomena.
Our country as conceived has teetered on the precipice a number of times. However, none of the above should make us easier on Bush, but rather harder. Nixon, FDR, Kennedy, Jefferson, Johnson and others got away with their crimes, which has only encouraged the tyranical behavior of present and furture Presidents.
The message we've continued to send chief executives and others in high office is that they can do whatever they want without paying for their crimes. Would there have been a Bush if Nixon had spent the jail time he deserved or FDR had to answer in court for imprisioning innocent people. I don't think so.
It's much worse to let top government officials get away with violating the law than other people. The guys at the top can hurt millions of people and plunge the nation into chaos, just the way this set of immoral lame brains has. They simply must obey the law and protect the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They are not kings, Dukes, or Earls.
There seems to be a lot of people who do not support the principles of America, its Bill of Rights, Constitution, its Democratic idealism and notions of equality before the law and open government, yet claim to love America. How can anyone love America without loving what America is and stands for. Worse, how can anyone love America without opposing those who do not support all of the above?
Is George Bush America? No, he is not. He does not support what America is all about; he opposes it. Right now, in fact, American is not America; it is something else. Until this criminal conspiracy that currently calls itself America is driven from America's body, there is no America. To support this thing that calls itself America is not patriotic. Patriots are busy trying to drive the demon out so the real America can return to consciousness.