All this talk of seizing power is well and good, but let us not forget the historical aspect of the metaphor, if only to aid us in our endeavors...
When Caesar took his army into Rome, he threatened the very existence of the Republic. I'm no great historian, but are we not fighting to keep today's
would-be Caesar from doing the same? Are we not fighting to prevent authoritarianism and imperialism? Is that not what we fear?
Thankfully, George W. Bush is no Caesar. He did not follow his army to the battlefield. He has not provided protection or rewards for his enlisted men, but rather sent them into battle insufficiently armored while stripping their benefits at home. As far as I can tell, his military has suffered nothing but continual setbacks fighting HIS war, and the men do not flock to their general. In Rome, as in America, he would not have been hailed as a victor, and yet still he maintains power. He may not be so villainous as to intentionally seek absoluteness, nor may he be fully aware of his own plans to attack, but while he lingers, contemplatively (if possible), in the barbarian wilderness of Germania, his actions threaten us all.
He defiantly breaks laws. He punishes dissenters. He grovels and acquiesces to religiously motivated extremists in our own country who believe the laws of their God should govern everyone. He is more akin to a corrupt, latter day emperor eager for power and prestige and safety from his enemies than to a Caesar or Augustus. His aims seem more self-serving than America-serving. Secrecy, torture, warmongering, paranoia, and disregard for the law are hallmarks of authoritarianism. We fight to stop him and his minions. We fight to keep his greed in check. We fight to preserve our republic. We fight to DEFEND Rome.
We can all contribute, and we do need leaders. But when crossing the Rubicon, never forget which way you're going. He is attacking America. We will defend it. We will defend the rights of our citizens, not strip them of liberty. We will seek to improve the lives of all, not subject the world to the whims of madmen.
We shall overcome, and we shall conquer. We shall apply force against force and rebuff those who seek power at the expense of our citizens. Never forget: No one crosses the Rubicon while we defend Rome.
If we must filibuster in our defense, so be it.