Krugman - This Isn't America

[Cassandra]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/30/opinion/30KRUG.html

"On the terrorism front, here's one story that deserves special mention. One of the few successful post-9/11 terror prosecutions — a case in Detroit — seems to be unraveling. The government withheld information from the defense, and witnesses unfavorable to the prosecution were deported (by accident, the government says). After the former lead prosecutor complained about the Justice Department's handling of the case, he suddenly found himself facing an internal investigation — and someone leaked the fact that he was under investigation to the press.

Where will it end? In his new book, "Worse Than Watergate," John Dean, of Watergate fame, says, "I've been watching all the elements fall into place for two possible political catastrophes, one that will take the air out of the Bush-Cheney balloon and the other, far more disquieting, that will take the air out of democracy." "

Wow!

[Jim Sagle]

1. And that may be the biggest reason why no one presses them too hard.

An unspoken message may have been communicated - don't mess with us or we'll declare martial law and put an official end to democracy.

[Cassandra]

6. There were threats from Nixon..

to call out the NG to keep him from being removed from the WH. Unfortunately, this gang is way loonier.

[Merlin]

2. Enjoy PK's slam on Wolf Blitzer.

Finally a major league media whore takes one in the chops.

[Manix]

4. yeah....Blitzer gets away with a lot of unsubstantiated crap!

[Miss Authoritiva]

3. This abusive behavior wouldn't last long on the local level

It is interesting that the numerous examples of the misuse and abuse of power cited by Krugman would not persist on the local level. Oh, I'm sure some officials would try them; but county overseers would be called in to clean up at the municipal level, and state overseers would be called in to clean up at the county level. Officials would be kicked out of elected and appointed positions for malfeasance. It's just that there's nobody to kick-butt at the federal level.

[Disturbed]

5. Amerika

This country is a Plutocracy. If Bushco get re-selected it will be a Police State. The depressing thing is that a vast number of people wouldn't complain and many would welcome it.

[cybildisobedience]

7. I maintain....

that the only way to deal with media whores is to humiliate them publicly. Wolf Blitzer doesn't care if we gripe about him on our board. But when a major columnist in the New York Times points out that he is obviously "willing to be used" by floating questionable conduct charges on Clarke, even that jerk should feel ashamed. They need to be held up to public ridicule, or this constant whoring for Bush will not stop.
Once again, thank you, Mr. Krugman!