Home
Archive
Columnists
Video
Blogs
Discuss
About
Search
Donate
Advertise
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Register to Vote: Rock the Vote, powered by Working Assets Wireless
Advertisement
  • AlterNetYour turn

Support AlterNet
Do you value the information you're getting from AlterNet? Please show your support with a tax-deductible donation.


Feedback
Tell us how we're doing.

Thanks George, You Just Handed Us the 2008 Election

Posted by Guest Blogger at 11:00 AM on July 3, 2007.


Christy Hardin Smith: With his commuting of Libby's sentence, Bush has made his odious above the law political party even more toxic than they already were.
bush

Share and save this post:
Digg iconDelicious iconReddit iconFark iconYahoo! iconNewsvine! iconFacebook iconNewsTrust icon

Got a tip for a post?:
Email us | Anonymous form

Get PEEK in your
mailbox!

 

This post, written by Christy Hardin Smith, originally appeared on FireDogLake

I'm going to say something shocking this morning: thank you, George Bush. For months and months, I have sat here at my laptop, tap, tap, tapping away at article after article illustrating your utter disregard for the law, your disregard of the principles on which this nation was founded, and your failure to recognize that there are higher laws than what George Bush wants at the moment. With one commutation of sentence, W, you just handed us the next election -- the White House, a much stronger hand in Congress, and a club to beat your party with for years to come: you think you are better than the rest of us, and that the laws don't apply to you.

With one stroke of your pen yesterday, you managed to illustrate all of that perfectly with a single action of "my people don't have to live with the same punishment that you little people do."

The Grand Ole Imperial Party cheered in triumph. Scooter is free, no jail time for him, suckahs. Yes, it was a 28 percenter bonanza -- the soft on crime when it is one of "us" (and not "them") crowd roared in approval at no jail time for a multiple-charge-convicted felon.

But the remaining 72 percent of the United States? We're disgusted. With you. With the Dick "I'm my own branch of government." Cheney power grabs. With the George "Honk if you like mountain biking." Bush hands off style of government. With a party that coddled the likes of Jack Abramoff and Tom DeLay and every other greedy sumbitch who lined his pockets with public funds because he thought it was his due for being a Republican. The American public is sick of you and your self-dealing, crony-laden, above the law disrespect, and with the Grand Ole Imperial Party which thinks that it should pay no penalty when it gets caught lying, cheating, stealing or simply grabbing whatever it wants while the rest of the nation is left to clean up after their infantile tantrums and outright lies.

And by commuting Scooter Libby's sentence, so that he doesn't have to go to jail like any other American convicted by a jury of their peers would have had to do, you sent a message loud and clear: "We Republicans think we are better than the rest of you. We don't have to be punished, and there is nothing you little people can do about it. Now peel me a grape, peasant."

Revolting.

We fought a revolution once in this country to overthrow that King George. The current one just handed us the next election. What do I mean? Just this: 72 percent kicks the living crap out of 28 percent. And by acting like they are better than the rest of us, that they don't have to follow the laws the rest of us do, that they can run around and do as they please without regard to consequences because they won't apply them to themselves anyway, they just sealed it for the next election cycle.

So, thank you George Bush. You have made your odious above the law political party even more toxic than they already were. The Grand Ole Imperial Party stinks worse than a skunk at a garden party.

Digg!

Tagged as: election08, libby, bush

Christy Hardin Smith is a former attorney, who earned her undergraduate degree at Smith College, in American Studies and Government, concentrating in American Foreign Policy.


White House Refuses to Deny Spying on Iraqi Prime Minister
White House Press Secretary Dana Perino wants to make it clear, the White House IS NOT denying spying on Maliki.
Post by Amanda. September 5, 2008.
Fox News: 'McCain's TV Commercials Contain ... Out-Right Lies'
Wait, we're seriously talking about Fox News? The Fox News?
Post by Steve Benen. September 5, 2008.
Van Halen, Heart, Others to GOP: Stop Using Our Songs!
GOP ignores copyrights, raises ire of multiple recording artists.
Post by Dave Burdick. September 5, 2008.

Comments Turn comments off sitewide Give us feedback »
Comments closed.
The comments for this story have been closed. Thank you to everyone who participated.
View:
I am not sure that we should consider 2008 won yet
Posted by: Tacticsb on Jul 3, 2007 12:19 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
For a number of reasons I don't think that the dems should declare victory for 08 yet. Remember that the repubs have stricken many from the voter roles, they have mangled the constitution and many laws. The dems did nothing to stop them, NOTHING. Now that almost everyone is pissed off at the same time the lowly dems greatest ambition is to WIN BY DEFAULT. That is such a visionless strategy and is in large part how we have gotten to where we, as a nation, are today.
The dems did nothing to obstruct bushco's choices for the supreme court and now look, the very issues that dems have used to scare their base, "Roe V Wade" and "Civil Rights" are now being destroyed before our eyes. The dems used these things only to scare their base, when the time came to keep their promise to defend these and other rights the dems comprimised and completely abdicated their responsibilities to their base. The dems did nothing to stop the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, The dems did nothing to stop bush from plundering our economy. The dems were vigorous in their efforts to stiffle any activity from their base that may have impeded the monstrously illegal actions of BushCo. Remember the patriot act? Remember Gitmo? What about the fact that the majority of the dem rank and file demand impeachment? In each case the dems willfully ignored the will of their own base, time and again.
I am very happy that things seem to finally be going badly for bushco, but since the dems had little to do with it how can I or any other reasonable person conclude that they will now become the leaders that they have consistently not been for the last 6 years. What we are seeing is the corrupt, stupid and short sighted bushco policies beginning to collapse under their own weight. If anything we do owe bush at least a little gratitude for showing us how corrupt for full of BS our whole system has been for a very long time. Now we know what we must work on for the future. For the first time in my life I will vote my conscience rather than on the "sure thing". Unless the dems or someone else truly carves a real path away from this current madness toward a better America I'm voting for Nader in 08.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Yup, don't count your chickens....
Posted by: jontan88 on Jul 3, 2007 12:29 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The Repugs have shown their ability to do anything to "win". Appeals for "bipartisanship" from their side were never heard when they were in control. Calls by Dems to work with the Repugs are futile especially when the stated aims of the Repugs are "the destruction of the Democratic Party". As for the American public at large, if it is only the Iraq War that is turning them against the Repugs, then we are still far from safe from the Repugs' destructive social and economic goals. Rightwing talk and media dominance and propaganda continue to pollute the airwaves and distort the truth. Unless Progressives catch up in that regard and offer people an alternative source for news and another perspective, I'm afraid, little will change in this country and the Repugs will regroup and return with a vengeance.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Uuuum. Guess you missed the memo. The Bush/Clinton dynastic order had
Posted by: albrechtkrausse on Jul 3, 2007 3:50 PM   
Current rating: 2    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
this agreed on decades ago. There, recently, has been a few 'flys in the ointment', particularly the acession of Barack Hussien Obama and the Iraq war gaining too many negative headlines (though the war still is accomplishing it's goal of high energy prices, sectarian conflict, no-bid contracts, privatisation of the military, and excuse for more bases in Asia.) I guess readers of Alternet forget the buddy-buddy relationship between Bush Sr and Bill Clinton (they alledgely shared a room during a junket to Asia recently, the kind words expressed by Bush Jr at the opening of the Bill&Hillary Presidental library in Littlerock, Hillary's frequent meetings with Rupert Murdock, Hillary's votes for the war, etc. The Ruling Families have everything nicely mapped out and this was no coincidence. Remember: Bill pardoned many a questionable person also (PuertoRican terrorists, embellzers, sex crime perps, tax evaders, etc.) Those provided some needed fodder for the Bush Jr campaigns and it is only fitting that he does the same to next selected candidate from the Ruling Family pool.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

wjneill
Posted by: wjneill on Jul 4, 2007 7:15 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Has anyone noticed that much like the commentaries on "Front Page Magazine", those making comments on AlterNet and other similar blogs are much in agreement with the presumed values and philosophies presented by such blogs.

That's very nice. BUT, where is the demonstration of cohesiveness among all citizens of like mind that will present a visible wave of open revulsion at the conduct and values of not only Cheney and his dummy but also of those in the Democratic Party who persist in offering up earmarks and coziness with the slime on K Street?

Talk is cheap. Action is what counts and until God-only-knows how many commentators on God-only-knows-how many blogs come together as one, WE are looking at continuation of the slobbering, drooling cretins that WE have surrendered to.

Ultimately, all of us can watch Keith Olberman and nod in frenzied agreement but is anyone else besides us watching Keith Olberman?

Billy Bob
People's Democratic Republic of Texas

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: wjneill Posted by: ckemp6205
Thanks Mr Bush
Posted by: drjay1941 on Jul 4, 2007 8:50 AM   
Current rating: 1    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Given the very short memory of the citizenry, it seems doubtful to me that the Libby issue will make much impact on voters.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

we as americans must and can make a stand
Posted by: ckemp6205 on Jul 4, 2007 9:26 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
all of us know that are rights are being trampled on by this administration, the question is do we sit back and say nothing or do we make our voices heard, I have a new talk show on blogtalk radio and invite all of you to join in and call in and express your views and opinions and offer suggestions as to how we should address these issues, here is the link to the show. http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ckemp6205wordpress
the show is on monday and saturday nights @ 9pm CST please join us. We now the fix is in so how do we stop it.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

So what?
Posted by: vertical on Jul 4, 2007 12:39 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The only difference between the democrats and republicans is that they are owned by a different set of rich people. Trust me, Hilary will be as bad for the poor and middle class as George and company.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

What makes you think there will be an election in 2008
Posted by: james2021 on Jul 4, 2007 5:02 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
George Bu$h INC. have become intoxicated with the ultimate power, What makes you think they will willingly give it up????

Watch for a planned terrorist attack before November, 2008, and Dubya will Declare martial law, and annoint himself King George V. Cheney will continue to pull the strings, and Dubya will do as he is told by Corporate America and the Religious Right.

Sad end to the American Dream of Self Government.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

I agree with James
Posted by: NamVeT on Jul 5, 2007 8:20 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
These crooks will most definately plan the next "terrorist attack" before the next election. I'm still not entirely sure if they were'nt involved in 9/11. Get used to addressing the president as "King George". It's over kiddies. . .

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Dems win in '08?
Posted by: motamanx on Jul 7, 2007 5:53 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
I doubt if there will be an election.
Unless impeachment proceedings begin now, we will have Bush/Cheney for as long as America exists. (Not long).

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Nothings been handed yet
Posted by: uncleeddie on Jul 7, 2007 1:40 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
GW did the only thing he could after Libby was told he was going to jail while appealing his sentence. Why in the world can't all people see that Libby was a potential rat to who knows how many crimes his superiors have commited and every second after the ruling was a dangerous one to Bush and Cheyney. Clearly then the 2008 election was lost without the cummuting of Libby's sentence. Even a pardon was dangerous has he then could be brought back to face more questions. Now that this disaster has been averted the Republicans can now focus on winning an election that is anything but decided. Remember the Democrats ignore the wishes of the people as much as their counterparts and getting support for nothing in return is a tough trick.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Its all over but the singing...
Posted by: Bearzerker on Jul 8, 2007 2:10 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This next election cycle is gonna seriously change the face of Washington... because there's to many seriously pissed off people that want to know all the little secrets no matter the costs!
It's the ya cant fix what ya don't know is broke sorta thing... so just remember that a major monster cleanup in DC is on the way and that nothing should stop this avalanche... the current Democratic TPB seem to realize this little known fact so rest easy all...

Don't let the Corporatist lobby control the next election cycle debates which is where I believe the outspoken public anger to Fox News recently came into play... [Newsflash] It's not just Fox News... its all of them... except maybe "The Daily Show" which is comedy and not supposed to be our source of news anyways.

I would just like to STRESS to the voting public to not elect the "Lobby bought" Rethugnicans or Demoncrats as something has to be done with how business is done in Washington.

A lobby is one thing but the current crop of "Corporatist lobby coalitions" is just plain evil... and as we've seen, most of the crooked politicos from both sides of the aisle have been morphed into demonspawn by these leeches of society...but how do you tell who's a bought and paid for leech... well ya cant really, but when ones found theres a sure fire cure. Can you say fast tracked recall and a disbarment from holding any public office penalty? Is only fair seeing that there's penalties for stock [stalk] brokers who break trust... Why shouldn't politicians have a similar penalty?

A 3rd party?
Not yet please... fix what you know first, then do the 3rd option if its needed and yeah of course a quality 3rd choice is always needed and appreciated... Just not at this time in history, as too much damage has been inflicted...
Poor Nancy Peloisi... what a nightmare and what a monster cleanup... where does she begin...

My question to all is... do Lobbyists control politics or do "We the People" ... time is running out and this next election will decide where ultimate power resides...

God Save the Queen...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]