John Aravosis speaks for so many people, and his post was correctly given the amount of press it has gotten thus far. But, I think we should also look at what the actions of our conservative brethren have brought us now.
While we may be giddy at the sight of the Republican Party coming apart at the seams, the bigger issue here is not that Democrats will regain control of the country, or that it will take a long time, maybe even two generations, for Republicans to be able to appear as true defenders against all foreign and domestic enemies.
The big issue is that Republicans, by their words and actions (and inactions), have just handed America an open door to dictatorship.
For any country, I don't care who you are, I cannot think of a greater crime to a nation than treason. It cuts into your defenses, exposes your weaknesses, gives your enemies an upper hand against you, and essentially threatens the well-being and protection of every citizen - man, woman or child. In other words, it gives those on the outside the chance to deck us where it hurts and potentially knock us down and/or out.
Whether a democracy, a republic, a monarchy, a dictatorship, or whatever kind of governmental system that exists, treason has the same dire effect on any nation it inflicts. That's why, in many systems of governance, it is assumed in many countries that traitors are put to death - it is that serious of a crime.
So now, you have two and possibly more people likely to be implicated in an act that has been declared an act of treason, not just by many Americans, but from past Presidents. And what does the Republican Right do? They defend it or rationalize why it's not a serious crime.
They defend it or rationalize why it's not a serious crime.
I don't care who you are - Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green, Libertarian, Communist, Neo-Nazi, whomever - the fact that major political figures are not openly denouncing such actions have potentially opened a floodgate that no nation wants to open: what Randy Rhodes has caused The Legalization of Crime.
How can any country take its rule of law seriously when its most damaging and dangerous crime is only worthy of a hand-slap and nothing more?
How can anything that we do now be worthy of a jail sentence, much less a fine?
The short-sightedness of Republicans and their unconscionable defense of every member of their party, regardless of what they have done or may have done, do more to harm our nation than do the acts they defend. Who is to stop now a Democratic politician from pulling the same act? Will the Republicans then be able to cry out to the world that what said politician did was wrong, treasonous, and deserving of death? All Democrats would have to do is point out every single statement and talking point the Republicans issued the last two years regarding Plame-gate, and that politician will get off scot-free.
And much to our regret, that sets the stage for someone, of whatever party or creed, to become dictator and take firm control of our country. When the rule of law becomes so weakened by petty politics and political loyalty, when the corruption becomes so thick and impenetrable, our law books won't be able to stop the wrecking ball that is dictatorship. The fish rots from the head down, and any law that condemns or prevents such action from taking place will be cast aside as irrelevant thanks to the slippery slope created by the Legalization of Crime.
Thank God we have people like Patrick Fitzgerald who are willing to make the rule of law stand regardless of what others may think. Because if the rule of law is nothing more than a political tool for someone to use, then how can anybody, big or small, be held liable by any law?
It is sad that Republicans today do not see the dangerous consequences of their statements and inactions, and what's even sadder is that they have made it much easier for the future holder(s) of the Executive Office to get away now with just about anything. We Democrats may be quick to jump for joy at this thought come 2008. However, in all likelihood, this does not bode well for the future of this country.