The GOP - Riding the Backs of the Dead

[LeftHander]

by Brad Odland

The Grand Old Party is continuing to have a "Grand Old Time" with September 11. 911 has become an icon. The mayhem of that day lives on in the speeches from the GOP and the war on terror and has become a election year rally point for conservatives. Given the success that conservative lawmakers had in squashing progressive reform from healthcare to campaign finance it is no wonder that they would utilize the horror of 911 when backed up against a wall. As the heels of the GOP are wedged against the wall of public opinion the cries of "Never relent", "post 911 world", "Big brother or dead brother" and the favorite "keep America safe", occur with rapid frequency. Add to 911 the mantra of "support the troops" which really means "support our war". For many progressives being patriotic under the definition provided by the conservatives means bending over and greasing up. The idea of accepting the leadership unquestioningly is not only empty headed but does a great disservice to America.

The soap box used to be the cliche'. That no longer works in America, conservatives must climb a pile of corpses draped in a flag and quoting the bible. It is no wonder why America is so divided. As one glorifies violence and vilifies dissent the other turns away repulsed in horror, sickened at what has happened to American politics. The Republican party has become nothing more than another thuggish pervert making naked pyramids of the truth and bending us all over as they ram more guilt trips into America's backside.

Iraq and Al-Queda connections. The 911 Commission Report, the Patriot Act, TIPS, Tax Cuts, prescription Drugs, Jobs....WAR. A war in Iraq. Based on lies trumped up by America following the GOP as they glorified 911 and wrapped the flag around a criminal act. At the same time they shifted the blame from a radical terrorist group that exploited the many failings of the intelligence community to a visible "enemy" that everyone could "get behind". So in typical conservative fashion, rather than really find out what went wrong they start a war and stall any investigation until it becomes politically dangerous to do so. Then they we say "we supported it all along" and If anyone asks or points out anything, call them un-American and say they are not honoring the dead of 911.

Ugly politics played out by ugly men on the backs of the dead.

Watch this scenario play out during the GOP convention. September 11 will be mentioned over and over again. Surely there will be a video montage of the destruction of that day along with images of the troops in Iraq as they wage a war to find the weapons of mass destruction that nobody seems to care don't exist.

What the GOP doesn't know is that the political capital gains from 911 have dried up in America. The majority of America will no longer allow the neoconservative fear and guilt mongers to benefit from a continuous loop of planes exploding on impact, statues being toppled or speeches made on aircraft carriers. America is seeing clearly now. The image we see is no longer one of pride and patriotism. It is an image of opportunistic vultures feeding on the carrion of fear, war and misery.

[Skittles]

1. thank you lefthander

an enjoyable read