Maybe the setting itself doesn't carry the weight of Red Square, nor were the various Politburo members lined up on either side of the Premier, but
On the latter point, "Jamal" was singled out for special mention, along with Glenn Colby and Marty Schwader:
The Iraqi people are seeing progress. They're stepping forward to the fight. One Iraqi who stepped forward is a traffic cop named Jamal. Recently, Jamal was training in the city of Irbil with about 200 other recruits, when a red car came hurtling toward them and it exploded. He survived, but many of his comrades did not. Here's what he says: "I saw friends killed and wounded and crying out and blood everywhere. It is not the first time they tried to kill us ... we're not afraid. I'll stay a policeman and serve my country." Americans are proud to serve alongside such brave allies, people willing -- (applause) -- people willing to take risk for democracy and freedom, people willing to sacrifice.
How touching. Particularly the notation--or was it a stage direction?--indicating "applause." Bush also mouthed the usual references--hard work, freedom, kill the terrorists, hard work, freedom, front line in the war on terror--then there was a final, quick, press the flesh before his handlers hustled him off to whatever bunker he's hiding out in for the duration of "The Passion of the Roveweiler."
I dunno--maybe "Kremlinology" is too crude a comparison. I don't think the Soviets ever tried, much less managed, to pull off such a display.
But, to mix and match the twin turdblossoms, I can't think of any tag team in modern times who display such a profound contempt for democracy than Rove and Bush--and, extending the metaphor, their manager Dick Cheney--hell, for that matter, the entire GOP leadership these days. Triumph of the Will, as interpreted by the Mayberry Machiavellis.
Karl, to be sure, stepped in a big steaming pile, but sadly I think this post by Bull Moose (first saw a reference here at TPM cafe) is probably what we can expect. Wingnuttiasphere apparently is already declaring victory according to Arthur Silber, and while previous intonations of "Mission Accomplished" haven't exactly borne out, 'nuts aren't really all that concerned about reality these days (their focus tends to be on matters they used to dismiss as "inside the beltway"). Additionally, the MSM stories coming out seem to have a degree of built-in fatigue, as evidenced by this rather lame effort from the Times--quote both sides, imply partisanship on the part of the Democrats, and cite some GOP insiders, one of whom concludes "Rove needs to be on his A game now, not huddled with lawyers and press people."
As for subverting national security for pure partisan gain?--ho hum...just another notch on the belt(way)...
But, while Karl STEPPED in a big steaming pile, Dubya SPAT one out yesterday--and his carefully selected audience pronounced it delicious. I suppose it's too much to ask of the mouth breathers--they'll constantly rally round Bush's peculiar brand of reptillian mutterings mixed with just enough blood at low-boil to send them into agressively ignorant frenzy--but I'd like to hope that recent events--the ongoing clusterfuck in Iraq, Afghanistan teetering on the edge of chaos, AND the London bombings--have demonstrated that blind rage isn't exactly a recipe for success.
It IS, however, a recipe for destroying both traditions of democracy AND democratic institutions themselves (whether or not such traditions and institutions have ever existed is a topic for a different post, and I won't get into that here). And after watching the dauphin last night, I'm as worried as ever that--speaking of edges--this country is about to careen off one while being driven by a group of individuals who shouldn't even have driver's licenses, much less be given carte blanche to run the nation.
I guess it'll be time to REALLY worry when Scotty the terrier doesn't merely stonewall, but instead offers his best blank expression (and, my god, he's good at that) while replying "Valerie Who?"
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