It appears the the Republicans may have finally over-extended themselves. Their actions over the last few weeks have gone way beyond anything a sane person would regard as civil discourse and interaction. The reception has not been what they may have anticipated. Their overtures to Bibi not only have failed to energize people in the US, they have led to a unforeseen scenario where Netanyahu and Likud may actually lose next week. The election certainly is much closer than was anticipated. The open letter by the infamous 47 was such a break with protocol that even conservative media are referring to them as traitors.
While it there is some poetic justice in seeing the right wingers hoisted on their own petard, it is time to quit the extreme rhetoric. Some here are beginning to sound just like the other side with calls for mass arrests, court martial, and even executions. We are supposed to be the reality based folks. Enough with the over the top rhetoric.
The Republicans do not agree with the President on anything. They want him to fail. He could end hunger and the Republicans would come out in favor of starvation. He could usher in an era of world peace and they would advocate war. (Actually they are doing that now.) Many are unethical and immoral.
However they are not guilty of treason, sedition, or subversion. They should not be arrested, court martialed, imprisoned, or executed. Thankfully President Obama is much more level headed than some of his followers and though he may be amused by the present Republican meltdown, he will not respond to calls for arrests and detentions, nor will he refer to the Republicans as traitors or subversives. He will do the right and principled thing in this situation.
Doing the right thing is paramount but beyond that that there are nonaltruistic reasons to back off the calls for mass arrests and public hangings. I am old enough to remember the McCarthy era with its witch hunts, arrests, and blacklists. Under the Smith and McCarren Acts many were arrested and imprisoned for being members of "subversive" organizations or engaging in loosely defined "subversive activities".
During the Vietnam War many conservatives (yes the irony is indeed rich) claimed that the antiwar movement was giving aid and comfort to the enemy in the time of war, and were therefore guilty of treason as defined by the Constitution. The government arrested, harassed and spied on members of of not only the anti-war movement but also other groups seeking social justice.
In the aftermath of 9/11 there was an outpouring of pseudo-patriotism and intimidation of those who didn't go along with the anti-terrorism frenzy. The infamous PATRIOT Act was passed, restricting basic liberties. Domestic spying was increased. The MCA curtailed some of the habeas corpus protections. When Barbara Lee was the only member of Congress to vote against the 2001 AUMF, she received so many death threats that she was given police protection.
The point here is that our country has a deep authoritarian strain and a history of using terms like treason, subversion and sedition to suppress opposition and dissent. Moreover be very careful of what you wish for. The Republicans control both houses of Congress and could very well continue to do so, though if they continue to pull stupid stunts like this, they could lose. Mrs. Clinton is not the strongest candidate and Democrats have a history of stealing defeat from the jaws of victory. In 2017 we could have the Republicans in control of all three branches of government.
Do we really wish to set a precedent for criminalizing political opposition? If the Republicans gain control of the government, I will actively work against their domestic and foreign policies. I will work against any wars they attempt to initiate. (I will also oppose any wars that a Democrat would initiate.) I hope that my active opposition and the active opposition of others, including politicians, would not label us as treasonous or subversive. I certainly would not expect to have criminal charges brought because of such actions.
These Republican senators should be mocked, ridiculed and continually called out for their stupidity. The public should be continually reminded of their lust for military action. When they run for re-election the Democrats should use this letter as evidence of their incompetence and unethical behavior. On the other hand, we are helping to undermine the right to dissent with the talk of treason and the calls for prosecution, court martial, punishment, and execution. The President is setting a great example of how to deal with these buffoons. We should follow his example.
ADDENDUM
Thanks for the discussion. It has been, for the most part, civil. I've been "scolded" a couple of times for my "scold" diary but nothing too OUTRAGEOUS.
There are a couple of comments that I believe deserve mention. One was by smartone who found it ironic that a group of folks who questioned the President's love for his country are now having their own patriotism questioned.
The other comment by wesmorgan1 indicated that branding opponents using such terms as traitors was a strategy promoted by the Republicans in the 1990s.
I'm off to get in a workout and then it's time for track practice. Retirement is indeed strenuous. I will reply to more comments this evening though my keyboarding skills are poor