Some Much Needed Ranting
Today was another looonnnnggg day, with eight hours of work and four hours of class. Now that I'm home I need some time to relax and decompress. I also have a lot of pent up rage from the current political situation, and I need to get it out of my system.There has been oh so much to talk about--so much that I don't know where to begin. I think I'll try to stay focused on only the most recent news item to get under my skin. So, this is the relating story.
From the article:
"Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 in the attacks and prepared for war; liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers."--Karl Rove, 6/22/05
While I hate to quote the devil himself *shudder* (I feel dirty), I felt it necessary to convey the source of my anger. To counteract these poisonous words, I shall post Senator Harry Reid's demand for Rove's apology or resignation. I was kind of worried when a man known as a moderate (he is anti-abortion, for example) took the role of minority leader in the Senate, but the guy has been doing a great job. Here is his reply (found here):
“I am deeply disturbed and disappointed that the Bush White House would continue to use the national tragedy of September 11th to try and divide the country. The lesson our country learned on that terrible morning is that we are strongest when we unite together, that America’s power is in its common spirit of democracy and freedom.
“Karl Rove should immediately and fully apologize for his remarks or he should resign. The lesson of September 11th is not different for conservatives, liberals or moderates. It is equally shared and was repeatedly demonstrated in the weeks and months following this tragedy as Americans of all backgrounds and their elected representatives rallied behind the victims and their families, united in our common determination to bring to justice those responsible for these terrible attacks.
“It is time to stop using September 11th as a political wedge issue. Dividing our country for political gain is an insult to all Americans and to the common memory we all carry with us from that day. When it comes to standing up to terrorists, there are no Republicans or Democrats, only Americans. The Administration should be focused on uniting Americans behind our troops and providing them a strategy for success in the war on terror and the conflict in Iraq. I hope the president will join me in repudiating these remarks and urge Mr. Rove to take appropriate action to right this terrible wrong.” --Senator Harry Reid (D, Nevada)
Give 'em Hell, Harry. I am so fucking sick of the rightwing radicals in this country trying to use the tragedy of September 11 to their political advantage. I was actually naive enough to think to myself before the previous election season that they wouldn't use national security as a political issue. But there Dick Cheney and the conservative echo chamber were, saying that the terrorists wanted John Kerry to win, among other ridiculous nonsense.
And it hasn't stopped. The fascists believe that liberals hate America (I won't link to any of the actual sites, of course). From my perspective, the rightwingers have no understanding of the ideals that once made America great. They are fucking this country up (in addition to the various parts of the world afflicted by their policies), and no amount of flag waiving and phony patriotic rhetoric will change that.
It really burns me up to hear them use September 11 to divide the American people. My friend's father died in the World Trade Center. I went to his memorial service (there was no funeral, as no remains were recovered). This man was a fixture in my childhood--at church, school, sporting events, etc. He was a good man and didn't deserve to be murdered.
So, it really pisses me off to hear conservatives say that liberals have forgotten about September 11. Bush (and Karl Rove) could have chosen to draw the American people together, and to unite with our allies in the world. Instead, they chose to push a radical rightwing agenda and to divide us against ourselves and our allies in the world. They've sought to use the tragedy of September 11 to justify every horrible policy--from tax cuts for the ultra-wealthy, to the war in Iraq, to torturing prisoners.
I have hope that America will soon wake up from the post 9/11 hangover, and the majority of people will see more clearly what the radical fascists have been doing to our country. And when they do wake up, they are going to be very pissed off.
At any rate, I think that is enough politics for now. This rant was much needed on a personal level for me, even if no one actually reads the whole thing. Good night.
posted by Skrambled Egghead Reborn @ 10:23 PM
<< Home