Well, Democrats, it looks like the moment has finally arrived. Here you stand at a precipice, protecting our constitutional form of government, and there’s nothing beyond it but a black, gaping void of fascism and corporatocracy.
In his press conference today, President Bush made it abundantly clear what he thinks of Congress, the Constitution, and the will of the people.
There is no reason on earth for Congressional Democrats to do anything other than use every tool at their disposal to bring this administration – an administration which, under the Constitution of the United States of America, is charged with administering the laws of Congress – to heel after its six years of trampling over the rule of law.
(Also available at My Left Wing)
Congressmembers Conyers, Waxman and Leahy all must make strong public statements immediately about their intention to pursue truth and justice in the matters before them, irrespective of whatever roadblocks the White House might choose to put in the way of that pursuit.
THIS FRAMING IS IMPERATIVE, AND MUST BE ESTABLISHED IMMEDIATELY.
THE WHITE HOUSE HAS CHOSEN TO PUT ROADBLOCKS IN THE WAY OF A CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION.
Democrats stand only to lose if they fail to act strongly, and immediately in the face of this pathetic challenge to Congressional authority.
It’s bitterly ironic that, now that we have arrived at the eve of a constitutional showdown, the unwillingness of congressional Democrats in 2006 to filibuster Bush’s insane nomination of Samuel Alito in the name of "keeping our powder dry" might force them to face the consequences of that extremely short-sighted and unprincipled decision, in the event the White House, a la the Nixon administration 33 years ago, decides to challenge any Congressional subpoenas.
But there is no more falling back. Retreat is not an option anymore. There’s nothing behind us except despotism – and not despotism wearing the thin veneer of "democratic" trappings that we’ve become accustomed to over the past six years, but unalloyed, coarse, amoral, callous despotism that doesn’t even pretend to give a crap about the welfare of anyone other than those in power.
In other words, Congressional Democrats, YOU’VE GOT NOTHING LEFT TO KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY FOR. This is it. This is The Last Stand. It’s Showtime, folks.
You’re sitting on a lot of powder. Don’t let it explode.