When they rounded up and deported the Muslim, Arab and South Asian immigrants, I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Muslim, an Arab or a South Asian.
When they proposed the Patriot Act, I didn't speak up because I hadn't read it and I wanted to look tough on national security.
When they locked up hundreds of alleged "enemy combatants" without charge or trial, I didn't speak up because I knew it wouldn't happen to me.
When they used "extraordinary rendition" to deliver suspects to countries where they would be tortured. I didn't speak up because I didn't want to be accused of being "soft on terrorism."
When they developed their own methods of torture at Guantanamo, Abu Ghraib, Bhagram and elsewhere, I didn't speak up because none of those places are in my district.
When they opened secret prisons in Europe, I didn't speak up because I didn't want Bill O'Reilly to compare me to the French.
When the NSA monitored the phone traffic of millions of Americans, I didn't speak up because I knew they now knew about those 1-900 numbers I call when it gets lonely on the campaign trail.
When the president declared himself unrestrained by hundreds of laws, I didn't speak up because one day my guy might be president and having that kind of power would be pretty cool.
Finally, when they raided the offices of one of my bribe-taking colleagues I knew it was time to speak out against "abuses of executive authority" but I couldn't figure out why nobody cared.
