Voice of reason shouted down

The New York Newsday published Democrats Raise Questions On War a little while ago. It seems that some have in Congress (especially that troublemaker Daschle) have had the temerity to ask about long-term goals of the administration. This drew the baleful eye of the guardians of a patriotic America in which we all act as one and do not ask questions because it interrupted their slavering, gleeful capering over their new shiny hoards of weapons and money.

It seems the relatively straightforward question of “What, exactly, is this ramped up war-machine getting us?” is not one that it is patriotic to ask as of yet. What it is getting us is massive defense contracts and increased control over both domestic and foreign “situations”, all without breaking any laws or exhibiting any overt control, because it is being done for “us”, to make “us” feel safe. Well, actually, some of us get massive defense contracts and some of us get controlled. That’s just the way the cookie crumbles. Sorry.

Daschle said that there seems to be “expansion without clear direction” and Senator Byrd said “If we expect to kill every terrorist in the world, that’s going to keep us going beyond Doomsday, … How long can we afford this?”

The response from the orcs?

““Disgusting,” House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) said in a one-word press release.”

You see, when you’re in charge and on top and running the show, you don’t have to actually justify yourself anymore. You just have to shout terrorist (or communist, if you’re still stuck in the 20th century) and point a finger at anyone that disagrees with you or dares to question your authority. The sheep take care of the rest and your problem is gone.

That way, you can get anything done that you’ve always wanted and it’s all in the name of fighting terrorism. Want to free up corporations to be able to maximize profits while they maximize pollution? Equate anti-corporate with terrorist. Or communist. Or satanist. Or abortionist. Whatever works.

Do you want to push an anti-abortion agenda from the dawn of time? Only terrorists kill fetuses. Need to push big steel tariffs. It’s un-American to use foreign steel. Need some large contracts for domestic aircraft manufacturers (Boeing, Lockheed)? Terrorists will win if we don’t have a lot of planes. But wait, why are you selling those planes to other countries? Shut up, terrorist. Take him away, boys.