Reply #4: Effectiveness In Politics, Sir, Comes In Various Forms

[The Magistrate]

In this instance, the effect aimed for, and possibly in process of achievement, has nothing to do with any effectiveness of the proposal on its face: even if passed, it would do nothing, as all know. The effect this action aims to achieve is two-fold, in my view.

First, it makes an attack on the illegal behavior of the present regime a topic of national conversation. In doing so, it shows up as a sham the widespread view that somehow to attack these creatures is unthinkable, and will lead to unspecified but doubtless horrible consequences. This has the beneficial effect of opening up the field for further attacks, and making attacks a respectable and prominent part of political discourse.

Second, it helps to set the field for the upcoming Congressional election being widely perceived as a referendum on the present administration, and so encouraging people who are disenchanted with it recently, as well as those long in opposition to it, to vote against any available Repuublican Senator or Representative as a means of registering this distatse. Doing this is a critical ingredient in any hope for a successful election this year, from our point of view. People are always more eager to vote against something or someone, in anger, than they are to vote for something.

"LET'S GO GET THOSE BUSH BASTARDS!"