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Last Monday, we were on the edge an abyss. Today, we are a hell of a lot safer. Had the Republicans somehow managed to steal the necessary number of congressional seats, does anyone really doubt that, over the next two years, we would have seen the total demise of our democracy?
The Republican loss wasn't for lack of effort on their part. Reports are still flooding in of voter disenfranchisement and dirty tricks. But the sheer volume of votes against them was just too big to allow them to steal a majority.
As much as our sweep of congress has revitalized and thrilled us, we're not yet out of the woods. George W. Bush still occupies the White House and as president, he can still declare martial law for some spurious reason. I don't expect this to happen, but back in 2000, who would or could have expected the vast amount of damage that would or could be done over six years?
Yesterday, Donald Rumsfeld was thrown out of power, but his farewell remarks indicate that he still believes the American public just doesn't "get it." This is a man who has more hubris than brains. And a hell of a lot of courage when it's other people's blood that is being spilled.
So what's to stop another Rumsfeld, or another Bush/Cheney/Rove from seizing the levers of power? What's to stop them from following in the footsteps of these morally, ethically challenged individuals?
The answer is simple. Starting with Rumsfeld, an American (or international?) court must bring him to trial for war crimes and crimes against humanity. And the majority of the American public must be convinced that this a just and proper path.
The point is not so much to punish Rumsfeld (as well as Bush/Cheney and others once they leave office). Rather, we must send a message to any future would-be tyrants. And that message must be crystal clear -- clear enough that even some future George W. Bush will be able to grasp it. The crux of that message must be that anyone who has committed inhumane, barbaric acts will never be safe. And that once their power is gone, they'll have to answer for their crimes.
Put simply, the entire world must be made to understand that hollow people speaking hollow words will never again be permitted to hold positions of power in a civilized society.
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