The Bush Administration’s efforts to prevent Senator Obama from giving a speech in front of the Brandenburg Gate strike me as rather scandalous and worthy of more press coverage here in the States.
Cross-posted from Facebook.
Gore Vidal: Literary feuds, his ‘vicious’ mother and rumours of a secret love child
He slept with Kerouac, hung out with Jackie O and feuded with Mailer. He’s the last surviving giant of American literature’s golden age. So why is Gore Vidal still so sensitive about his reputation?
Interview by Robert Chalmers, Sunday, 25 May 2008
Seventeen years have passed, I remind Gore Vidal, since he told a reporter: “This is the last interview I shall ever give. I am in the departure lounge of life.” “So where are you now? Tray table in the upright position, footrest stowed, taxiing towards the runway?”
The writer gives me a mutinous look. “How do you know that I didn’t leave? Actually, I’m more fearful of airplanes than I am of my own mechanism, because I know how to run it.
I’ve had diabetes for 20 years. I have a titanium knee. Which is quite strong. But don’t ask for it in the middle of the night.”
With Kurt Vonnegut, Joseph Heller and Norman Mailer gone, Gore Vidal, 82, is the last truly legendary figure from a golden age of American literature. “Serene” is his favourite word, though this is an adjective he employs rather than evokes: headlines he has inspired include “Into The Lion’s Den” and “Cross Him If You Dare”. That said, he looks tranquil enough this afternoon, an elderly ginger cat dozing on his knee, and a half-finished tumbler of whisky by his side. The expression he wears in photographs from his prime – a curious mixture of disdain and sensuality – has not altogether faded.
“Black America and Scots-Irish America are like tortured siblings. They both have long history and they both missed the boat when it came to the larger benefits that a lot of other people were able to receive. There’s a saying in the Appalachian mountains that they say to one another, and it’s, ‘if you’re poor and white, you’re out of sight,’ ” Sen. Jim Webb, D-Virginia, said in this video.
“If this cultural group could get at the same table as black America you could rechange populist American politics. Because they have so much in common in terms of what they need out of government,” he added.
Listening to Jim Webb in this rather too brief snippet convinces me more than ever that he should be Sen. Barack Obama’s running mate. I don’t know if he’ll accept the vice-presidency but, I think, together, he and Obama could craft a message that could reshape the Democratic Party for generations to come.
I want to take race off the table as a wedge issue. I want to make the Republican Party a minority party that speaks to only a small percentage of Americans, the very wealthy. I believe in Webb and his wisdom. He should definitely be a part of the national dialogue.
He mentioned in the video a Wall Street Journal opinion-editorial article that he wrote in Oct. 2004. In Secret GOP Weapon: The Scots-Irish vote , Webb examined the Republican Party’s success wooing poor and working class whites to their cause:
To an outsider George W. Bush’s political demeanor seems little more than stumbling tautology. He utters his campaign message in clipped phrases, filled with bravado and repeated references to God, and to resoluteness of purpose. But to a trained eye and ear these performances have the deliberate balance of a country singer at the Grand Ole Opry.
Elections
 New York Daily News |
DC meeting could bring compromise on Michigan, Florida delegates New York Daily News – 1 hour ago Busloads of Hillary Clinton supporters will swarm a meeting next week at a DC Marriott, where Democratic Party elders hope to forge a compromise over Florida and Michigan’s now-voided convention delegates.  Video: Victory is within reach: Obama RussiaTodayObama Says Nomination ‘Within Reach’ New York TimesLos Angeles Times – USA Today – Detroit Free Press – Washington Times all 8,126 news articles » |
 PRESS TV |
As host, McCain invites speculation Boston Globe – 4 hours ago WASHINGTON – Presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain plans to host three potential running mates this weekend at his ranch in Sedona , Ariz. McCain Looks to Fill Ticket, and 3 Hopefuls Step Up New York Times Joe Lieberman assails Barack Obama on foreign policy Los Angeles Times Philadelphia Inquirer – Sarasota Herald-Tribune – Washington Post – BBC News all 1,130 news articles » |
 PR-Inside.com (Pressemitteilung) |
Obama at Square One in Florida Wall Street Journal – 2 hours ago By CHRISTOPHER COOPER TAMPA, Fla. — One of the most tantalizing electoral prizes this fall for Sen. Barack Obama may be Florida, where he is campaigning and holding fund-raisers this week after a self-imposed exile of more than six months. Liberals work to change McCain’s image San Francisco Chronicle McCain to look over possible ticket mates Seattle Times Washington Post – CNN – San Jose Mercury News – Reuters all 313 news articles » |
 CBS News |
Ron Paul surge collects more GOP convention delegates Los Angeles Times – 1 hour ago While the world of politics waits around for Sen. Barack Obama to finally get the message and give up his hopeless chase of the Democratic nomination for president because he lost yet another heartland state to Hillary Clinton, Texas Rep. Drug industry contributing more to Democrats The Associated Press McCain, Romney Tied in Florida NewsOXY Politico – Wall Street Journal – Seattle Times – Washington Post all 717 news articles » |
 Turkish Press |
Jindal to visit McCain during holiday The Times-Picayune – NOLA.com – 4 hours ago By Bruce Alpert Gov. Bobby Jindal and his wife, Supriya, are among 10 couples invited to presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain’s Arizona home during the Memorial Day weekend, an invitation fueling speculation that Jindal is on a short … Weekend at McCain’s just the ticket? Washington Times Is McCain’s guest list also his VP short list? Arizona Republic The Associated Press – Boston Globe – ABC News – Baltimore Sun all 1,710 news articles » |
 WBT |
Theme Persists: Obama Outraises Clinton New York Times – 6 hours ago By LESLIE WAYNE Though Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton raised an impressive $21 million in April, her campaign ended the month $20 million in debt and with Senator Barack Obama more than $30 million ahead of her in cash on hand for the primary season, … In Money Chase, McCain Can Rely on Party Boost Wall Street Journal Barack Obama Sets $55 Million Record NewsOXY Reuters – Los Angeles Times – CBS News – The Associated Press all 445 news articles » |
 CTV.ca |
Women to the Barricades San Francisco Chronicle – 7 hours ago The following email leaked to us from a prominent supporter of Sen. Hillary Clinton shows us firsthand the anger among the older women who are the mainstays of her campaign, and a necessary ingredient of a victory for rival Sen. The ‘Not Clinton’ Excuse Washington Post Hillary Clinton Thanks Saturday Night Live NewsOXY Sioux Falls Argus Leader – Eurweb.com – Huffington Post – Seattle Times all 428 news articles » |
 TopNews |
Clinton, Obama vie for superdelegates Boston Globe – 19 hours ago Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton split Tuesday’s primaries, and so far today they have split the superdelegates who will likely determine who gets the nomination. Democratic superdelegate Rep. Joe Courtney backs Obama Boston Herald Superdelegate Courtney Announces For Obama Hartford Courant Connecticut Post – MSNBC – Akron Beacon Journal – TheDay all 36 news articles » |
 Canoe.ca |
Not the ticket of dreams Boston Globe – 5 hours ago MANY DEMOCRATS, including former New York governor Mario Cuomo on this page, have called for a Barack Obama-Hillary Clinton ticket. What Does Hillary Want? TIME Barack Obama Slams Clinton Amid Mississippi Voting NewsOXY Washington Post – Huffington Post – Voice of America – ABC News all 77 news articles » |
 Hartford Courant |
Does the Libertarian Party Matter? Wall Street Journal – 6 hours ago By BRUCE BARTLETT Ron Paul’s unexpected success raising money and gaining votes in the Republican primaries – running on an explicitly libertarian platform – has made the Libertarian Party’s presidential nomination something worth vying for this year. Recent Converts Are Top Contenders for Libertarian Nod CQPolitics.com  Comment by David Boaz Executive Vice President, Cato InstituteColorado Springs Gazette – Washington Post – Washington Times – Nolan Chart LLC all 43 news articles » |
 News Talk AM 580 WDBO |
Obama rocks, rolls into state Daytona Beach News-Journal – 4 hours ago By JAMES MILLER KISSIMMEE — Illinois Sen. Barack Obama rolled into town Wednesday, sounding like the Democratic presidential nominee and being treated like a rock star. Obama Introduces Himself to Florida Voters CBS News Obama suggests halving Florida delegation Tampabay.com Huffington Post – Local6.com – MarketWatch – WESH.com all 21 news articles » |
 PRESS TV |
Obama inspires McCain aide to step down Los Angeles Times – 3 hours ago Mark McKinnon, John McCain’s media strategist and a member of the close-knit circle of five top advisors to the Republican presidential candidate, says he plans to be the Arizona senator’s “No. Keeping Vow on Obama, McCain Adviser Resigns New York Times McCain media consultant departs The Associated Press FOXNews – Washington Post – CBS News all 101 news articles » |
 NewsOXY |
7 Ore. superdelegates mum on presidential choices USA Today – 10 hours ago Now it’s time for the seven superdelegates still uncommitted to say whether they are backing Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama for president. Obama doubles Clinton in Wash. delegates Seattle Post Intelligencer Obama closes in on Democratic nomination The Associated Press NewsOXY – Washington Post – KTVZ – WWJ all 1,010 news articles » |
| Some of Sen. Clinton’s remarks about seating Mich. and Fla. Chicago Tribune – 12 hours ago By AP Excerpts from prepared remarks Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton made Wednesday in Florida on why the disputed Michigan and Florida primary results should count and the delegations seated at the Democratic National … Clinton Invokes 2000 in Quest for Florida Support Washington Post Obama, Clinton signal Florida boycott over The Associated Press Waterbury Republican American – Palm Beach Post – RealClearPolitics – National Review Online all 231 news articles » |
 CNN Political Ticker |
Lieberman Op-Ed Raises Eyebrows Washington Post – 13 hours ago By Shailagh Murray The Connecticut senator describes himself as an “independent Democrat,” but today on the Wall Street Journal op-ed page, Lieberman called out Sen. Barack Obama by name as one of the “old voices of partisanship and peace at any price” … Top Nebraska Dem Downplays Obama-Hagel Ticket Talk Action 3 News Hagel Assails McCain; Lieberman Assails Obama ABC News The Carpetbagger Report – CNN Political Ticker – AOL News Newsbloggers – TheDay all 17 news articles » |
 Hackensack Chronicle |
Foe launches age-old attack on Lautenberg Philadelphia Inquirer – 3 hours ago By Cynthia Burton With less than two weeks left in the edgy Democratic US Senate primary, US Rep. Rob Andrews has unveiled a television ad that spotlights the age issue in his race against US Sen. Frank Lautenberg. GOP Senate debate tonight at Stockton Press of Atlantic City Pennacchio eyes crossover voters in US Senate bid The Star-Ledger – NJ.com Asbury Park Press – The Jersey Journal – NJ.com – Hackensack Chronicle – New Jersey Jewish News all 74 news articles » |
 OPB News |
Merkley hopes to ride anti-GOP tide in Ore. Senate race KTVZ – 7 hours ago AP – May 21, 2008 10:45 PM ET SALEM, Ore. (AP) – A day after winning the Democratic US Senate nomination, Jeff Merkley moved quickly into general election mode, linking Republican Sen. Gordon Smith to the Bush administration. Schumer’s guys win in Kentucky, Oregon Politico Senate Democrats gaining power News 10 Now The Oregonian – OregonLive.com – The Register-Guard – KATU – Crosscut all 111 news articles » |
 The Southern Ledger |
Senator challenges Lunsford on issues Kentucky.com – 3 hours ago By Ryan Alessi Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell charged into general election mode by moving to define his opponent and by offering an issues test to his newly minted Democratic challenger, Bruce Lunsford. Ky., Ore. voters choose US Senate candidates The Associated Press Schumer-backed Senate Candidate Prevails In Kentucky CBS News Huntington Herald Dispatch – MSNBC – Louisville Courier-Journal – RealClearPolitics all 238 news articles » |
 Monsters and Critics.com |
In photos: ‘USA Elections – Obama and Clinton May 21st’ Monsters and Critics.com – 11 hours ago By M&C News May 21, 2008, 22:44 GMT Illinois Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama speaks during a campaign event at the St. Iorio endorses Obama at rally in Tampa WMNF Obama: ‘It’s good to be back’ Sarasota Herald-Tribune Tampa Tribune – MyFox Tampa Bay – Bradenton Herald – Tampa Bay’s 10 all 19 news articles » |
 NewsOXY |
Hillary Clinton Charges Barack Obama NewsOXY – 2 hours ago Hillary Clinton has accused Barack Obama of trying to keep people from voting for her as some backers have called for her to drop out of the presidential race. President Bill Clinton Returning To SD Sunday KSFY Presidential Campaign: SD’s Money Trail KELOLAND TV Sioux Falls Argus Leader – Rapid City Journal – KELOLAND TV – KELOLAND TV all 12 news articles » |
-
Candidates seek centrist answers in Iraq AP – 2 hours, 1 minute agoWASHINGTON – Hard-core advocates for and against the Iraq war are losing leverage as John McCain and Barack Obama, having virtually secured their nominations, appeal to centrist voters who will decide the fall presidential election. -
Drug industry contributing more to Democrats AP – 2 hours, 20 minutes agoWASHINGTON – In a sharp reversal, drug and medical device companies are giving more money to Democrats than Republicans this election season, one more sign of the campaign difficulties the GOP could face this November. -
Democrats adopt boisterous Puerto Rican style AP – 2 hours, 2 minutes agoSAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – Forget placards, stoic bodyguards and formal rallies. To win Puerto Rico’s presidential primary, both the Clinton and Obama camps are campaigning in the boisterous, face-to-face “boricua style” favored on this Caribbean island. -
Obama’s outreach to US foes is questionable AP – 2 hours, 5 minutes agoWASHINGTON – Barack Obama’s willingness to meet Iranian, Cuban and other hostile leaders who would not get face time from John McCain stands as a distinctive element of his foreign policy. -
Viral e-mails attack Obama’s life story Politico – Wed May 21, 8:12 PM ETThe main obstacle standing between Barack Obama and the White House was distilled into five words by a local television correspondent in South Charleston, W.Va., earlier this month.
White House News
-
Bush signs anti-discrimination bill AP – Wed May 21, 5:54 PM ETWASHINGTON – President Bush on Wednesday signed legislation to protect people from losing their jobs or health insurance when genetic testing reveals they are susceptible to costly diseases. -
US to let Americans send cell phones to Cuba AP – Wed May 21, 5:43 PM ETWASHINGTON – President Bush announced Wednesday that people living in the United States soon will be allowed to send cell phones to Cubans on the island nation — a move that he hopes will push the communist regime to increase freedom of expression for Cuban citizens. -
Bush vetoes farm bill AP – Wed May 21, 3:27 PM ETWASHINGTON – President Bush vetoed the $300 billion farm bill on Wednesday, calling it a tax increase on regular Americans at a time of high food prices in the face of a near-certain override by Congress. - Bush heading to Europe in June AP – Tue May 20, 4:55 PM ETWASHINGTON – President Bush, traveling abroad more this year than at any time of his presidency, plans to head to Europe in June to confer with allies on matters of war, terrorism and trade.
-
White House denies story about attacking Iran AP – Tue May 20, 4:00 PM ETWASHINGTON – The White House on Tuesday denied a published report in Israel that said President Bush intends to attack Iran before the end of his term in January.
U.S. Congress News
-
Thinking the unthinkable: Who follows Ted Kennedy? AP – 6 minutes agoWASHINGTON – People in Massachusetts suddenly are thinking the unthinkable: Who possibly could succeed Sen. Edward Kennedy, patriarch of the famed political family that has dominated the state for more than four decades? -
Kennedy illness robs Senate of dealmaker AP – 57 minutes agoWASHINGTON – Sen. Edward Kennedy’s diagnosis of a malignant brain tumor has left Congress without its best dealmaker and boldest liberal, a politician known for his staunch positions and willingness to work with right-wing lawmakers. -
After gaffe, Democrats planning to redo farm bill AP – 1 hour, 1 minute agoWASHINGTON – Democrats are picking up the pieces after an embarrassing technical gaffe that delayed a triumphant rejection of President Bush’s veto of a massive farm bill. - Mix-up throws House veto override in doubt AP – 1 hour, 42 minutes agoWASHINGTON – The House overwhelmingly rejected President Bush’s veto Wednesday of a $290 billion farm bill, but what should have been a stinging defeat for the president became an embarrassment for Democrats.
-
Top Iraq generals defend pause in troop reductions AP – 1 hour, 54 minutes agoWASHINGTON – The U.S. must be careful not to withdraw forces from Iraq too quickly because security gains could be lost, warn the nation’s top two war generals.
U.S. Government News
- Report says more kids drowning in pools, spas AP – Wed May 21, 9:03 PM ETWASHINGTON – A month before summer begins, a government report shows an increase in the number of children who drown in pools and spas.
-
Plan to trim cell phone cancellation fees draws criticism AP – Wed May 21, 6:11 PM ETWASHINGTON – A wireless industry proposal under consideration by the government that would make it easier for cell phone customers to break up with their service providers was met with withering criticism by consumer advocates on Wednesday. -
Fed sees slower growth, higher unemployment in `08 AP – Wed May 21, 2:11 PM ETWASHINGTON – The Federal Reserve on Wednesday sharply lowered its projection for economic growth this year, citing blows from the housing and credit debacles along with zooming energy prices. It also expects higher unemployment and inflation. - Government ads to show consumers how hospitals rate AP – Wed May 21, 12:34 AM ETWASHINGTON – The federal government is spending nearly $1.9 million on newspaper ads around the country that disclose hospital satisfaction rates, part of a unique campaign to improve health care through the power of publicity.
- Feds help ailing student loan program AP – Tue May 20, 7:48 PM ETWASHINGTON – The Bush administration is taking steps to ensure student lenders don’t walk away from the federal loan program, including offering to buy up student loans and make capital available to lenders.
World Politics News
-
Merrill restarts talks to move to WTC site: WSJ Reuters – Thu May 22, 2:14 AM ET(Reuters) – Merrill Lynch & Co has restarted talks to move its headquarters to a planned skyscraper at the World Trade Center site, the Wall Street Journal said on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter. - Group critices US military for child detentions AP – Wed May 21, 4:39 PM ETGENEVA – A rights group criticized the U.S. military Wednesday for holding hundreds of youths in Iraq, saying American forces aren’t living up to international standards.
- Sri Lanka loses bid for UN human rights panel seat AP – Wed May 21, 4:06 PM ETUNITED NATIONS – Sri Lanka, which has been strongly criticized for its human rights record, lost its bid Wednesday for a seat on the U.N. Human Rights Council, but four other countries with poor records won spots — Pakistan, Bahrain, Gabon and Zambia.
- Report: Conflicts using child soldiers declines AP – Wed May 21, 7:32 AM ETUNITED NATIONS – The number of conflicts in which child soldiers were involved dropped sharply from 27 in 2004 to 17 at the end of last year, according to a report by the Coalition to Stop the Use of Child Soldiers.
-
States vie for seats on disputed UN rights body Reuters – Wed May 21, 1:21 AM ETUNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Sri Lanka, Bahrain and Gabon are among states vying for 15 seats on the U.N. Human Rights Council on Wednesday that rights watchdogs say are unfit to be on it.
Supreme Court News
- Ban upheld on offering child porn The Christian Science Monitor – Tue May 20, 4:00 AM ETWashington – The US Supreme Court has upheld an effort by Congress to make it illegal to offer or promote child pornography – even when the photographs being offered or promoted don’t really exist or involve real children.
-
Court rejects case involving alleged Nazi guard AP – Mon May 19, 7:42 PM ETWASHINGTON – The Justice Department said Monday that an alleged former Nazi death camp guard has exhausted all legal avenues for trying to remain in the United States and the government remains committed to deporting him. -
Court upholds part of child pornography law AP – Mon May 19, 6:29 PM ETWASHINGTON – The Supreme Court ruled Monday that leading someone to believe you have child pornography to show or exchange is a federal crime, brushing aside concerns that the law could apply to mainstream movies that depict adolescent sex, classic literature or even innocent e-mails that describe pictures of grandchildren. - Court upholds municipal bond tax exemption AP – Mon May 19, 5:48 PM ETWASHINGTON – The $2.5 trillion municipal bond market skirted a land mine Monday when the Supreme Court ruled that states could continue to give special tax breaks on the bonds that fund hospitals, roads, schools and other services.
- Justices rule against man in terrorism case AP – Mon May 19, 1:11 PM ETWASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Monday ruled against an Algerian convicted of conspiring to detonate explosives at Los Angeles International Airport during the millenium holiday travel rush.
Most Popular Politics News
-
Viral e-mails attack Obama’s life story Politico – Wed May 21, 8:12 PM ETThe main obstacle standing between Barack Obama and the White House was distilled into five words by a local television correspondent in South Charleston, W.Va., earlier this month. - Mix-up throws House veto override in doubt AP – 1 hour, 42 minutes agoWASHINGTON – The House overwhelmingly rejected President Bush’s veto Wednesday of a $290 billion farm bill, but what should have been a stinging defeat for the president became an embarrassment for Democrats.
-
Clinton launches new Fla., Mich. offensives Politico – Wed May 21, 2:33 PM ETBOCA RATON, Fla. – With a bit of momentum from her landslide Kentucky victory and less lopsided Oregon loss, Hillary Clinton is turning her attention to two states that have already voted, Florida and Michigan, over two states and a territory that have yet to, South Dakota, Montana and Puerto Rico. -
DeGeneres needles McCain on gay marriage AP – Wed May 21, 11:25 PM ETWASHINGTON – Republican John McCain says same-sex couples should be allowed to enter into legal agreements for insurance and other purposes, but he opposes gay marriage and believes in “the unique status of marriage between and man and a woman.” -
Senate proposal seeks $165B for war AP – 2 hours, 42 minutes agoWASHINGTON – President Bush’s GOP allies in the Senate face election-season votes Thursday on both his long-pending war funding request and tens of billions of dollars backed by Democrats for veterans education and an assortment of domestic programs.
Obama Hits Back: Debate With McCain And Bush Over Foreign Policy Is One “I Will Win” By Greg Sargent, May 16, 2008
In remarks in South Dakota just now, Barack Obama hit back hard at George Bush’s and John McCain’s foreign policy attacks yesterday, stating flatly that a debate with the two Republicans over foreign policy is a debate that “I will win.”
“George Bush and John McCain have a lot to answer for,” Obama said.
The fight is one that the Obama campaign is eager to have, because it accomplishes two things. First, it forces McCain to stand by Bush, making it easier to tie them together. And second, it puts Obama, sans Hillary, on the same stage as the current Republican president and his would-be successor, making the Dem primary seem a bit like a distant memory.
“If George Bush and John McCain want to have a debate about protecting the United States of America, that is a debate I am happy to have any time,” Obama said. “That is a debate that I will win.”
He proceeded to rattle off all the things Bush and McCain have to “answer for.” The unnecessary Iraq War. The phantom WMDs. The strengthening of Iran. The fact that “Hamas now controls Gaza.” And the fact that Osama Bin Laden is “sending out video tapes with impunity.”
Obama also slammed the notion that he’d ever supported any sort of negotiations with terrorists. “They’re trying to fool you, trying to scare you, and they’re not telling you the truth because they can’t win a foreign policy debate on the merits,” he said.
At times, Obama hit what I think is the right tone — ridicule and bemusement, rather than outrage. At one point, for instance, he noted that McCain has now promised an end to the war in 2013, after repeatedly suggesting a much longer open-ended commitment might be necessary.
“I think he noticed that it wasn’t polling well,” Obama joked.
Dan Froomkin’s “White House Watch” in the Washington Post has always been a must read for me. Today’s piece show one of the reasons why:
Five Years After ‘Mission Accomplished’
Much has happened in the five years since President Bush flew aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in “Top Gun” style, stood under a banner proclaiming “Mission Accomplished” and proudly declared: “Major combat operations in Iraq have ended.”
Five years ago, 139 American troops had died in Iraq. Now that number is 4,064. Five years ago, 542 American troops had been wounded in Iraq. Now that number is 29,395.
Five years ago, the national debt was $6.5 trillion. Now it’s $9.3 trillion. Five years ago, your average gallon of gas cost $1.44. Now it costs $3.57. Five years ago, Bush’s job-approval rating was at 70 percent. Now it’s at 28.
Five years ago, Bush’s appearance on the carrier was widely hailed as a brilliant PR move, imbuing the president with the aura of a conquering hero. Now, it’s possibly the single most potent image of Bush’s hubris.
One thing that’s not so different: Five years ago, there were about 150,000 American troops in Iraq. Now there are slightly more.
I have a conflict: I am in the ACLU family and subscribe to its ideals. It is in that spirit that I offer this.
Our generation countenanced the illegal imprisonment of hundreds of people on the Cuban island known as Guantanamo Bay. I know some will blame terrible reign of George W. Bush and his minions for the dark times we live in but this historical event is our shame alone to bear.
Setting up this American Gulag was an assault on the character of our nation. We looked for the nearest mall when Bush said “go shop,” instead of questioning what he was up to. So he came up with new ways to take away more of our rights.
But, perhaps more than that, Bush’s biggest crime was devaluing what America means. We, as a people, a society and a culture, were complicit in that. The American Civil Liberties Union offers us a road back to reclaiming our virtues as a nation.