As thrilling as it is to see Barack Obama moving, slowly but surely, toward his date with history on January 20th of next year, there's something a little scary about it, too.
Keith Olbermann's "Special Comment" tonight made me really start to think. In Keith, I saw and heard exactly what I feel... anger and contempt toward Bush and his minions. And much like during his Valentine's Day comment (re. Bush and FISA), I wanted to jump up and down and cheer, but I also felt like crying. What we have in Keith Olbermann is what I'm sure most of us here on Kos feel... a combination of simmering anger, frustration, and yes (for many of us at least) hatred toward the slime now running/ruining this nation. I can't speak for anyone else, so I'll just say what I feel about one thing in particular:
I think the most important issue facing this country is the absolutely moral need for us to bring these people to justice. The fact that, up till now, it hasn't happened, is just incredibly sad and frustrating. But it's also clear that, politically, it wouldn't be easy... at least under the current makeup of Congress, the Justice Department, etc.
Things apparently will need to change first.
And that's what got me thinking, and has me a little worried right now: the realization that things are about to change! And not only that, but the fact that there must now also be a realization within the Bush Regime that things are about to change.
Up till now, people like Keith Olbermann have mostly been written off as "the loony left" or some such. But more recently, what I think is becoming clearer is that for every person like Keith in the public eye, there are millions of us behind the scenes, cheering them on. But the question of whether we're willing to do more than just cheer... well, I think that's being watched very closely.
I think it's very likely that Bush and his buddies are, as we speak, trying to gauge just how much support people like Keith Olbermann has, and how likely it is that that "couch potato support" could turn into something far more tangible... far more active, vocal, and public.
Day by day, more and more people are willing to state, in bold and unambiguous language, what we think of George W. Bush and his enablers. As Keith has so rightly pointed out, Bush is, in many ways, nothing more or less than a "fascist". And he is, without doubt, a murderer. A good percentage of the American populace, and I'm sure an even greater percentage of people around the world, agree wholeheartedly that there is "incontrovertible truth of [Bush's] panoramic and murderous deceit."
See ... right now, as I type this, and as some of you read and nod in agreement, we're digging ourselves deeper. We are, in my opinion, pretty much declaring that Bush and the others are murderous criminals who must be brought to justice for the sake of this nation and the world.
Ok, so if that's the case, it becomes really important whether Bush believes our views will ever be taken seriously. Which brings me back to the election...
As long as Bush thinks he's gonna keep some control of things after he leaves office -- through the installation of his, Cheney's, and PNAC's next puppet, John McCain -- I doubt we have much to worry about. But otherwise, if the Bush Gang starts to worry they're losing their grip... that is when we need get ready. Obviously they're already concerned, seeing as Obama is gonna be the nominee, and seeing as he has a much better shot at beating McCain than Clinton would. And so they likely are now hanging most of their plans on making sure McCain wins. Some way... any way. They probably think they have a good chance of prevailing.
But what if Bush starts to think he might lose all power and control of his fate after he leaves office? What if he thinks there are gonna be people in high government positions who have a strong desire to hold Bush accountable? And what if he thinks those government officials have literally tens of millions of Americans willing to back them up... physically, in the streets if need be?
Now, for the period between now and the November election, I don't expect much drastic to happen. Unless, of course, the polls begin to show Obama with an insurmountable lead. But barring that, a McCain win would make the main points of this diary moot. But on the other hand, assuming an Obama win, I expect we'll be heading for a very dangerous period...
November 4th through January 20th.
Those 78 days are what we have to worry about.
Bush can not allow an Obama Administration to become reality! We've seen what Bush and his buddies are capable of. Whether it be killing countless innocent people, wasting hundreds of billions of dollars (and funneling much of it to their corporate conspirators), or absolutely trashing the Constitution and our reputation around the world. So it should be perfectly clear: We must not be naive. We must understand that virtually NOTHING is beneath these people.
If Bush and the others feel their backs are against the wall, and their very freedom and/or lives are at stake (through trials here or abroad), we could be in for a rough Fall and Winter in this country. Martial law declared based on some manufactured "terrorist threat"? Suspension of the Constitution? Mass arrests of people like me who call for us to defend ourselves? Who knows...
My question: If it becomes necesarry, will you stand up and fight to prevent Bush & Co. from refusing to relinquish power? Will you fight to make sure they are brought to justice for their crimes?