Today's NY Times indicates that a deal has been reached to avoid an investigation into widespread warrantless wiretapping and spying on Americans. The same front page indicates that Congressional Republicans are making a stand in opposition to the Dubai port deal. What does this tell us about the political climate in this country?
Obviously, the outside enemy (foreigners controlling the ports) is much scarier politically than an unfettered US government shredding civil liberties. The boogeyman without remains more powerful than the very real and growing menace within. Yet both are substantial problems. Given the lack of familiarity which the average American has with our constitutional rights and the relentless fear-mongering of the Bush Administration, this is not really surprising. However, it is a situation that requires addressing. One of the reasons the Democrats are getting no traction is that they don't know how to frame the internal situation adequately and to begin to educate people to what's at stake. They seem to start from the position that everyone already has an enlightened liberal attitude. They have forgotten how to be persuasive and are afraid to be forceful in defending this entire outlook. We need a significant educational effort to reacquaint people with their rights. Without it, the steady assault and erosion will continue unchecked.