I like most of you have been made to watch as our country and it's public institutions have been eroded and somewhat obliterated by the powerful moneyed interests in this country. I have never before attended a peace rally or marched in the streets to voice my opinion. But it's time. I have a narrow and focused goal.
It doesn't involve the war or Katrina or what this government is currently doing to the Gulf Coast or drilling in ANWAR or censure or impeachment or NSA warrantless wiretapping or any one of a hundred policies this administration is force-feeding us like the pre-fatted lambs that they think we are. It's about Enron. It's all about Enron.
I recently saw the movie
Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room. It was a surprisingly beautiful and poignant film. It's not just a tale of financial malfeasance or a recounting of the
"ultra-violence" of white-collar crime perpetrated by Enron execs, it's a tale of morality.
So I'm following the trial somewhat closely because what went down really burns my ass. I used to think the worst thing they did was to destroy their employees' pensions, but after watching the film I realized that the California energy crisis was faked by Enron traders to enable them to steal millions when they figured out they could. And I think they're going to get off.
I think they're going to get off because the defense is arguing that at every step of the way the lawyers and accountants approved the deals. That sounds persuasive in a criminal proceeding to me. Even though I know in my heart what went down was criminal, it only takes one juror with reasonable doubt to hand Lay and Skilling an acquittal.
So what do we do? Well we do something. My husband is a very mild-mannered salt of the earth kind of a guy. Although he's a committed speak truth to power kind of a guy the idea that an acquittal could be handed down has us talking about a street protest or organizing some kind of a strike. This issue, Enron being a symbol of unfettered corporatism and out of control cronyism, and the trial, which we are following somewhat closely, have us going completely ape-shit. How `bout you?
How can we continue to stand-by while another cornerstone of our system is flouted by the privileged and moneyed interests in this country, people like Ken Lay and Jeff Skilling and all their enablers, which is a large enough number to fill the Superdome or Astrodome many times over.
But let's face it; it all comes from the same place. No accountability for the rich as they rape our country and demoralize the middle-class. No transparency for the powerful in whatever sphere they operate in. Nothing to see here, folks. Move along. Trespassers will be prosecuted. You're not invited to the party. You don't count. Well wrong again genius, I definitely count. People like me do most of the living and dying in this country and we're not going forward until we understand or at the very least remember what got us to this place.
This diary is a question to readers, what should we do?
Some ideas:
1. Organize a protest. I remember the Billionaires for Bush group from the '04 election. They seemed to hit the right note for me on the issues encompassed by crony capitalism. I don't know whether they have anything in the works. I contacted the figurehead of the Boston Billionaires for Bush group, Ivana Moore-Enmoore. I'm not sure what they have planned, but I'll keep checking their website for updates. Find out if you have a local chapter. This organization is very tongue in check and I think that's good. Sometimes humor makes a more powerful statement than rage. And on a slow news day, this kind of group could get a bunch of media coverage.
2. Stay home. My husband's suggestion. He has already discussed this with his boss. "If they get off then I'm not coming to work. Period."
3. Place a sign in front of your house just like at election time. Plant one of those thingies in your yard and who knows, something beautiful might grow in its place. Something vital and desperately needed to return our country to its citizens. Just something that sums it up for you. It need not be a Bush bashing sign. Who among us, even in the reddest states, roots for crooks and the worst kind of thieves when gay marriage or other social conservative issues aren't on the table?
I think I'm going to make-up a Billionaires for Bush sign. People might not totally get the connection between the acquittal and the sign but I can always make it real clear by adding some kind of reference to Houston or Enron.
Any thoughts?