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Could
it Happen Here?
October 2, 2001
by
Madison
One of the running debates my husband and I have had over
many years has been whether a type of Nazi Germany could ever
happen here. I have maintained that it could not because we
have an aggressively free press that prides itself on its
honor, and on its relentless pursuit of true facts.
My husband has resolutely maintained that a type of Nazi
Germany could happen here or anywhere.
I think, sorrowfully, that I am beginning to come around
to his way of thinking.
The one element in our American society that I relied on
so heavily is somnolent. The press tigers have been fed too
much zoo-food and are sleeping off their aggression. Lulled
into a sense of blind patriotism, the working press has, for
the most part, concluded that "now" is not the right time
to look for actual facts: "now" is the time to accept blindly
whatever the White House tells them is fact.
Earlier, the press had apparently concluded that "now" was
not the "right time" to be aggressive because this was a "new"
presidential administration. And they came to that conclusion
in spite of having told us relentlessly throughout the recent
campaign that this would be the most veteran administration
ever to take the reins of power. "They" had all been Washington
"players" before. Therefore there would be no learning curve.
Now, some press people continue to drone on – nine months
into this "veteran" administration -- that our 55 year-old
president is "shy," new at his job, and must be cut some slack
when he utters inflammatory, warlike, stupid words.
We are being told by senators and House members alike that
U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft and our president will
need unprecedented powers and unprecedented money and allowance
for unprecedented secrecy to wage a war that could go for
how long?
Well, we can't speculate on "how long," our president tells
us. He will need to wage this war in secret, no reporters
allowed up at "the front." They will be briefed by Pentagon
or Bush administration officials.
How will we know if we are "winning" this "war," we ask.
Can't say, explains the Bush White House. We'll tell you what
we think you should know, when we think you should know it.
You'll have to trust us.
Are some "friends" of this administration going to make tons
of money while we are waging this open-ended "war"? Wash your
mouth out with soap. Be a patriot. Trust our president.
But whatever, you do, don't rely on the current working press
to balk at all of this. Shh-h, they're napping.
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