Ve Haf Vays of Making You Consent: Authoritarian impulse behind the push to prosecute ex-officials

Wall Street Journal ^ | 04/23/2009 | JAMES TARANTO

[erkyl]

Barack Obama's critics have long worried that his placatory attitude would project American weakness, thereby emboldening enemies and making real that impression of weakness. That may happen (or be happening), but what seems to have happened first is that President Obama's own weakness has emboldened his domestic allies on the Angry Left. As a result, the administration seems to be on the verge of a political crisis, and the country is at risk of a constitutional crisis.

[chuck_the_tv_out]

I’d have said “totalitarian”, not “authoritarian”. What’s “authoritarian”, is that a slur of some kind?

“totalitarian impulse” - now that makes sense

[ClearCase_guy]

If overzealousness under Bush becomes a crime under Obama, underzealousness under Obama will become a crime under the next Republican president.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

As if!

[Konacoast]

Maybe he’s planning to be the Last American President, so he’s not really worried about being prosecuted by the next Republican administration...

[Dogbert41]

Let’s be clear: while America may have an over-abundance of patience in dealing with fools, there is a line that no man should cross. Obama is standing right up to that line and has a foot in the air.

[erkyl]

...and we have a winner! You are correct sir!

[sportutegrl]

I wonder what BOA CEO Lewis would pick if he were asked to choose between being waterboarded and being forced to merge Bank of America with Merril Lynch. I would suspect he would pick waterboarding. If so, then it could be said that the Obama Administration treats terrorists better than innocent CEO’s.