:sl:
Forget the war on TERRORISM. The U.S. PRESIDENT GEROGE W. BUSH,is engaged in a full-blown war on Americanism.
Ridiculous? Unthinkable? The idea that an American President could epitomize anti-Americanism is certainly counterintuitive. But it's a lot less shocking if we consider just what defines this country's core values.
And if that list includes such essentials as freedom, responsibility, justice, humanity, respect and fairness -- and doesn't it? -- if that's what it means to be American, then PRESIDENT BUSH is indeed at war with Americanism.
Each new revelation forces patriotic Americans to reconsider how much of ourselves -- our liberties, our reputation, our dignity -- have now been sacrificed on the altar of the BUSH Presidency. Each week brings fresh outrages.. Torture, wiretaps, planted news stories, secret prisons, one unmasked war justification after another. This country faces some very real threats, but must we give up everything that makes America, well, America in order to live safely within our borders?
As it turns out, that's a false choice anyhow, since even our security has been diminished by GEORGE BUSH . The 9/11 commission has flunked him for his preparations against another attack. Meanwhile, he admits a breathtaking disinterest in OSAMA BIN LADEN, saying "I am truly not that concerned about him" and "I don't really think about him very much."
BUSH he has been similarly unconcerned about North Korean nuclear proliferation on his watch, Hurricane Katrina, and the still unsolved Anthrax case. Add these to his IRAQ obsession, which has severely diminished our military, and American security has lessened.
For this, we've given up two centuries worth of proud honor and traditions?
For this, GEORGE W. BUSH has traded away so much of what makes this country great that his presidency can only be described as a war on Americanism.
Consider:
Once, America stood as a proud beacon for human rights. Now we are known for the horrors of ABU GHRAIB and GUANTANAMO, extraordinary rendition and torture.
Once, we stood foursquare for the rule of law. Now we demolish inconvenient agreements we once promoted -- the GENEVA CONVENTIONS, NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY and ABM treaties, the International Criminal Court -- and thereby encourage others to follow suit.
Once, America's word was good. Today -- after deceits ranging from WMD, to promised but withdrawn UN votes, to shameful lies about former football star Pat Tillman's death in Afghanistan -- we are distrusted.
Once, America stood tall against colonialism. Today, with invasion excuses falling like dominoes, most of the world sees us as just another old-fashioned imperialist predator.
Once, we stood for due process of law. Now our President creates his own prisons and courts and denies the accused long sacred rights -- to habeas corpus, an attorney, a speedy trial judged by peers, knowledge of the crime charged, and more.
Once, we were a model for civil liberties. Now, MR. BUSH authorizes himself to conduct illegal wiretaps on Americans while his government monitors everyone from vegans to Quakers, then snoops in libraries to see what we're reading.
Once, America stood as a proud beacon for human rights. Now we are known for the horrors of ABU GHRAIB and GUANTANAMO, extraordinary rendition and torture.
Once, we stood foursquare for the rule of law. Now we demolish inconvenient agreements we once promoted -- the GENEVA CONVENTIONS, NUCLEAR NON-PROLIFERATION TREATY and ABM treaties, the International Criminal Court -- and thereby encourage others to follow suit.
Once, America's word was good. Today -- after deceits ranging from WMD, to promised but withdrawn UN votes, to shameful lies about former football star Pat Tillman's death in Afghanistan -- we are distrusted.
Once, America stood tall against colonialism. Today, with invasion excuses falling like dominoes, most of the world sees us as just another old-fashioned imperialist predator.
Once, we stood for due process of law. Now our President creates his own prisons and courts and denies the accused long sacred rights -- to habeas corpus, an attorney, a speedy trial judged by peers, knowledge of the crime charged, and more.
Once, we were a model for civil liberties. Now, MR. BUSH authorizes himself to conduct illegal wiretaps on Americans while his government monitors everyone from vegans to Quakers, then snoops in libraries to see what we're reading.
But what of MR. BUSH himself? However counterintuitive, it is hard to reach but one conclusion about a President who has bankrupted America morally, fiscally, and militarily, who has alienated the world and deeply divided his own country, and who has trampled roughshod over our most sacred traditions and liberties, as if he were some sort of self-anointed king.
"Don't worry about American pressure, we the Jewish people control America." "The Israelis control the policy in the congress and the senate."
-- Senator Fullbright, Chair of Senate Foreign Relations Committee: CBS' "Face the Nation".
"I am aware how almost impossible it is in this country to carry out a foreign policy [in the Middle East] not approved by the Jews..... terrific control the Jews have over the news media and the barrage the Jews have built up on congressmen.... I am very much concerned over the fact that the Jewish influence here is completely dominating the scene and making it almost impossible to get congress to do anything they don't approve of. The Israeli embassy is practically dictating to the congress through influential Jewish people in the country"
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