Posted on 05/01/2005 6:17:34 PM PDT by BulletBobCo
America was profoundly changed after the September 11 attacks. We went from a country motivated by hope to a country controlled by fear. For the last several years, feeling neither safe nor secure, Americans have lived in extreme anxiety of another impending terrorist attack. I think that as a result, most Americans sought out their faith and reaffirmed their conviction in God. President Bush and the Religious Right's greatest political weapon has been perpetuating fear. Because of the heightened climate of anxiety coupled with religious fervor, they have been successful in stripping Americans of their personal freedoms, suppressing dissent and winning elections based on moral values. I also think the unfathomable fear of being a victim of another terrorist attack has allowed for the crumbling of the wall between church and state, which is a vital part of our historical, legal and political heritage. By allowing personal religious beliefs to infiltrate our political framework, we have enabled this administration to wage a war on women's reproductive rights, squelch scientific advancement, take away our freedom of speech and fill important positions within government and possibly the nation's highest courts with religious extremists. We must not let fear cripple our democracy.
Bush's actions to manipulate the country using fear remind me of Franklin D. Roosevelt's brilliant quote "there is nothing to fear but fear itself." The Bush administration, capitalizing on the horror of 9/11, had the perfect opportunity to wage a war under false pretenses and four years after 9/11, get away with failing to properly secure our borders, ports, airplanes and nuclear power plants. I have written before how this administration could have and should have prevented 9/11 by not ignoring all the threats we were given, or even by beefing up airline cockpit doors. The U.S. continues to be isolated from the international community and thousands of young American soldiers have senselessly been killed and injured. Despite all of the Administration's mistakes and shortcomings, Bush was re-elected by the American people (regardless of the many accounts of possible voter fraud). People are unable to recognize they are being manipulated when they are paralyzed by fear because their government is constantly reminding them of an impending terrorist attack. During the 2004 election, every time John Kerry's poll numbers elevated, the government announced a new terror alert and people were once again forced to face the orange color code. The administration has spent more time trying to keep the people frightened, rather than focusing on securing our country. Only last week were lighters banned from airplanes, yet it has been a full 3 * years since "Richard Reed" tried to light his shoe bomb on fire with a match, while aboard an American Airlines flight to Miami. Even though lighters are now banned, matches are still permissible on airplanes. This is merely one example among many of how slow the Bush administration has reacted when presented with an opportunity to make Americans more secure. President Bush continues to maintain that he is doing everything in his power to make America safer. Thus far most of the country continues to accept this fallacy. Bush's actions remind me of Herman Goering's quote during the Nuremberg Trials, where he stated: "...it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders...all you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism..."
Why is it when it is said that Americans are "living in fear" it's only the liberals that are scared??
I was in Hollywood a few months ago, and did the cheesy tour of the stars homes. Every mansion you see has iron gates and signs at the gate that say " Warning: Armed Security." I'd bet my last nickel Babs has a similiar sign on her gate.
Props to Hollywood liberals for putting out a clear message against the scumbags who would harm them. Too bad they don't see how that same principle is also an effective deterrent against scumbags like terrorists and rogue dictators who would harm us all. Perhaps Hollywood elites don't believe those of us who live outside the iron gates are entitled to the same protection.
LOL! That would be a most disgusting remark, except for the fact that it fits her perfectly!
Babs is a total maroon who "thinks" she knows what's going on, like many other hollywierdos.
I didn't read the article, didn't need to. She's a waste of time, like Helen Thomas and Maureen Dowd.
Sounds good to me.
I supposed next week she is going to write about how global warming is going to doom us all.
President Bush and the Religious Right's greatest political weapon has been perpetuating fear.
No, their greatest weapon has been the re-affirmation of faith in God and the United States.
they have been successful...[at]...winning elections based on moral values.
.........BBWWWAHAHAHAHAH!!!! What, 'cause democrats don't have any?
You know, there's no point in even going on. Babs is a yutz, a putz, a pultroon, a maroon, an idiot, she's a fart with tonality, "President Bush" doesn't have the authority to ban lighters from airplanes you moron.
Okay, from now on, no ignitables or flammables are permitted on airplanes. Ruthless foreign dictators and nuclear weapons in the hands of China and North Korea are okay, but if you so much as bring an unlit birthday candle on a plane so help me.........
Oh, another point about FDR, after Japan's attack at Pearl Harbor he rounded up Americans of Japanese extraction into camps. Anyone care to guess what the Left's reaction would have been had Bush mirrored the leftist icon's actions and rounded up all Americans of Arabic extraction?
“'Bush's actions to manipulate the country using fear remind me of Franklin D. Roosevelt's brilliant quote "there is nothing to fear but fear itself.'
Uh, Barb, using quotation marks means you're quoting, as in verbatim. Your above FDR quote is wrong. Which doesn't surprise me.”
That is correct, the actual quote is “we have nothing to fear but fear itself ...
... and monsters”
My remote is controlled by nausea. Every time I see Babs face I have to change the channel before I puke.
Dear Babs:
1. You are a stupid woman. I think that this has been pointed out to you before. Believe them when they tell you that you are stupid. These are smart people trying to warn you.
2. You are an ugly woman. Most men wouldn't get it, but you know that being a bona fide ugly person makes you different. Ugly is a handicap in Hollywood(most other places too), so you must do something to set yourself apart.
3. Add up 1 and 2, and what do you get? Stupid and ugly.
So, shut up and thank God and America, that you were born here In another place and time, you'd have probably been shot just for your ugly face. If the Jews have any reason to be ashamed, hon, that'd be you.
Dumb as dirt.
Dumb as a box of hair.
Dumb as a box of hammers.
Get it? That's you, moron.
In your case, being butt ugly, is an afterthought.
Very profound distinction she has stumbled across. Is there anything that could better magnify the banality and triteness of her worldview ?!.
Matches! What about the matches!?!
Must be a Blue State thing.
Brolin: "Mr. Clinton, please report to our estate. Babs is in severe need of tonsil therapy."
The definition of crazy is inability to reason so there is no need for a reply.
Matches??!!
We don't need no stinking MATCHES!!
Matches??!!
We don't need no stinking MATCHES!!
The color code was elevated even when John Kerry wasn't the front runner....so what...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.