So long and thanks for all the shoes...
It's just too much to see the uber-grateful Iraqi journalist greet the great Liberator, W., with a gesture that translates roughly to: "Good-riddance, so long, and thanks for all the competent nation-building and internecine war." Even though this is no doubt on every TV screen, I'd personally like to pay homage to the poor ole' Iraqi journalist who clearly doesn't "get" freedom, and evidently, the polite and obsequious ethics of reportage. They've got a lot to learn about democracy, apparently. Hopefully, it's not our press corps that teaches them.





Why all the hate?

Continuing on the Bush legacy, there are three "first rough drafts of history" (below) that one must become familiar with in order to begin comprehending just how radical this administration's break with the "rule of law" actually is, notwithstanding the so-called "war-time considerations" argument (i.e.-In a time of war strong measures have been taken in the past, and must be taken now too). Sadly, no one will most likely be held accountable for any of this because many, by their inaction, appear to accept the notion that constitutional democracy is not antithetical to the "prerogative" of the Executive to "protect"---- read: extend----it's own power. Others feel more sympathy for incoming Presidents who don't enforce the law on their predecessors out of fear of the imminent retribution they might suffer when their administration leaves office, or the relatively trivial, inconvenient "stress" it may cause our democracy----or, frankly, some feel that their Prez or team should receive a Free Get Out of Jail Card too when it comes their turn: a sad cycle of impunity.

This is a shame because even high school Civics students understand that once government, namely the Executive since the beginning of the imperial 20th Century, oversteps its authority without meeting any legal sanctions or penalties, we are then left with, at best, the benevolent discretion of a de-facto king regarding the constitution and the conduct of the state (This is only slight hyperbole, and only if one doesn't take the assertions of the "unitary executive" at face---or any other---value). Why even teach students about Paine and Jefferson at all if checking Executive power is just a theoretical exercise we go through as teenagers in order to be nostalgic about our revolutionary republican past? We lie to them if we tell them it's supposed to be relevant today and then choose political expediency over justice.

Hopefully, Obama holds true to his promise to at least re-evaluate the legal "interpretations" (They actually legislated from Cheney's office, to the amazement of the NSA, CIA, and FBI) and executive orders of the Bush administration's, David Addington-led Office of Legal Council that unilaterally, and arbitrarily rescinded 60 years of international humanitarian law to which the U.S. is CONSTITUTIONALLY BOUND. Ironically, the U.S. was the main author of the very laws it has chosen to render "quaint." But really, if a government can't----for reasons of political expediency (among other comparatively trivial excuses)----or won't hold those who violate the Constitution accountable, which would mean we are relegated to, at best, our future presidents' mere "enlightened" consideration or highly subjective understanding of the Constitution----then liberal (constitutional) democracy ceases (by definition) to exist here. Being honest about this is the first step in redressing any prior or stemming any future transgressions. The gentleman's club of incoming President's excusing or ignoring their predecessors' crimes damages the integrity and purpose of our laws. Obama must be radical enough to bring the culprits to justice. Deep breath...don't hold...exhale...Oh yeah, "first rough drafts of history":

1. Angler, by Barton Gellman


2. Torturing Democracy


3. The Dark Side: How the War on Terror Turned into a War on American Ideals, Jane Mayer

Mayer's book really is not only revelatory (to the point that it is hard to admit that this is our American government), but it is the solid foundation from which future historians will be building. More of her work is here, here, and here (I recommend her Afterwards C-Span interview even if you read the book).

From The Center for Media and Democracy

Meanwhile, Public Relations Watch presents the Falsie Awards, which go to "those responsible for polluting the information environment over the past year." Search the site for its section on corporate spying! Hooray!!! It, along with the many others, are a testament to how well the Fourth Estate has been serving this country. Where are my shoes?