I used to read the (now defunct) blog of Canadian musician and political commentator Matthew Good, who posted many, many links to similar essays. I liked Matt an awful lot, and will say the same here as I said there....
that's great. It really is. But when in Gods Blue Heaven is anyone actually going to do something about it?
the Bush admin has managed to make Democracy one of the great evils of our time, by abusing it frantically in ways previously inconveivable... and the damage that has caused will be irreversable for generations to come
not only because it is now virtually impossible to assume that a vote is a fair and honest one, but also in that the entire world looks on knowing that those responsible have absoutely gotten away with it, and will continue to do so
the Constitution which was agreed on and written to guarantee the rights of every individual American citizen both in terms of personal security and accountabilty has abjectly and resolutely failed, because when it came to the biggest test of all - the People standing up to the Whitehouse for crimes against that Constitution - no-one even tried.
the British have done pretty much the same thing with Blair, and that should be ringing every alarm bell in the Western hemisphere.
We, The People, are fucked. and we have no-one to blame but ourselves.
the Bush admin has managed to make Democracy one of the great evils of our time, by abusing it frantically in ways previously inconveivable... and the damage that has caused will be irreversable for generations to come
I can see the confusion now, all over the Middle East (and further): "You said that democracy was better, that we should all seek this, that it would make our societies free. But we see that, in your democratic country, the son of a previous president is elected by corruption and vote-rigging. And he uses the power of the state to eavesdrop on his citizens, imprison people without trial, torture his enemies, give wealth to his supporters at the expense of those who oppose him, make war because of his whims, spread propaganda, and run the government by religion. How is this different from Egypt, Syria, Jordan, or Saudi Arabia?"
RFK Jr's. allegations (or rather, his conclusions) are being disputed. I have not read RFK's article, so I don't know whether ALL of his charges have been addressed, but there is another side to this story.
Farhad Manjoo disputes the charges (http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/06/03/kennedy/).
RFK Jr. responds (http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/06/06/rfk_responds/).
Joan Walsh answers Salon's critics (http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/06/06/salon_answers/).
I have only read the Manjoo piece so far, so I've not totally made up my mind; but so far, it doesn't look like all of those slipshod and clearly unethical practices (valid issues of debate in themselves) add up to a stolen election.
Paperless voting is still a major scandal, and a threat to democracy itself. Now if only the left could stop accusing Salon of treason and keep their eyes on the ball...
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2006-06-07 09:00 pm (UTC)that's great. It really is. But when in Gods Blue Heaven is anyone actually going to do something about it?
no subject
Date: 2006-06-07 09:40 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-07 10:34 pm (UTC)the Bush admin has managed to make Democracy one of the great evils of our time, by abusing it frantically in ways previously inconveivable... and the damage that has caused will be irreversable for generations to come
not only because it is now virtually impossible to assume that a vote is a fair and honest one, but also in that the entire world looks on knowing that those responsible have absoutely gotten away with it, and will continue to do so
the Constitution which was agreed on and written to guarantee the rights of every individual American citizen both in terms of personal security and accountabilty has abjectly and resolutely failed, because when it came to the biggest test of all - the People standing up to the Whitehouse for crimes against that Constitution - no-one even tried.
the British have done pretty much the same thing with Blair, and that should be ringing every alarm bell in the Western hemisphere.
We, The People, are fucked. and we have no-one to blame but ourselves.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-07 10:41 pm (UTC)I can see the confusion now, all over the Middle East (and further): "You said that democracy was better, that we should all seek this, that it would make our societies free. But we see that, in your democratic country, the son of a previous president is elected by corruption and vote-rigging. And he uses the power of the state to eavesdrop on his citizens, imprison people without trial, torture his enemies, give wealth to his supporters at the expense of those who oppose him, make war because of his whims, spread propaganda, and run the government by religion. How is this different from Egypt, Syria, Jordan, or Saudi Arabia?"
Not sure I know what the reply is...
no subject
Date: 2006-06-07 11:03 pm (UTC)"We failed.
it will not happen again."
the next ten years will be the most telling in our history
There's more than one side to this...
Date: 2006-06-08 12:27 pm (UTC)Farhad Manjoo disputes the charges (http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2006/06/03/kennedy/).
RFK Jr. responds (http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/06/06/rfk_responds/).
Joan Walsh answers Salon's critics (http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/06/06/salon_answers/).
I have only read the Manjoo piece so far, so I've not totally made up my mind; but so far, it doesn't look like all of those slipshod and clearly unethical practices (valid issues of debate in themselves) add up to a stolen election.
Paperless voting is still a major scandal, and a threat to democracy itself. Now if only the left could stop accusing Salon of treason and keep their eyes on the ball...