Ever since George W. Bush stole the 2000 election the words ‘tyrant’ and ‘dictator’ have been used to describe him (I image that these terms have been used to describe all our Presidents, by someone or another). As his ‘reign’ has progressed these terms of endearment seem increasingly applicable, but just exactly how amazingly accurate these terms are in describing George Bush is best seen when we examine the roots of these words. Analyzing the roots is more than just a fruitless mental game, but rather they provide us with an insight into ourselves and the precarious state in which our democracy exists. In the words of Karl Marx, "History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce."

When I made a trip to Boston this fall, I was reminded of the Spirit of 1776 and all the men (and women) who sacrificed their homes, their livelihood and lives to get rid of the last tyrant called George.  What impressed me the most of the bits of pieces of history along the Freedom Trail was the language used to describe George III - he was called a tyrant.  So let us review the many things our present day tyrant is up to and see the echoes of tyranny we face today is similar to what we were able overcome 200 years ago.

He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

SCHIP anyone?  Kyoto?  Do I need to list more?  

Cross-posted at Political Games and MyDD

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

This is a letter to the editor of the Eureka Reporter that I wrote last Thursday night. It was published today, Tuesday Feb. 6, 2007. This letter is in response to this editorial:

http://www.eurekareporter.com/...

The letter can be found here:

http://www.eurekareporter.com/...

Failure to seek accountability has left citizens confused
by Dave Berman, Eureka, 2/6/2007

Glenn Franco Simmons recently described Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez as a dictator, tyrant, strongman and authoritarian. If Simmons can support this by citing stacked courts and monopolized rule, what should we conclude about Supreme Court Justices Alito and Roberts, six years of a rubber-stamping one-party legislative branch and only one veto but more than 1,000 signing statements?

BBC News:

Cognac and iPod ban for N Korea

Kim Jong-Il and North Korean generals
Kim Jong-Il is said to enjoy luxuries and share them with the elite
The US has banned exports of iPods, fine wines and fast cars to North Korea as part of the punishment for the country's nuclear bomb test last year.

Is it me, or is it pointless idiocy?  Like banning Cuban archaeologists from attending a conference in Puerto Rico, or banning scientific visits to Cuba shorter (or longer?) than two weeks, disrupting research on the culture of Taino Indians.

To me, it is of the peace with applying special interrogation techniques to Jose Padilla for three years.  Forget morality, what was the point?  The guy was probably crazy after one year, of not after one month, dependent on the diligence of the idiots in charge.

One thing is certain.  Any conspiracy theory starting with the argument they had to have XXX in mind, it does not make sense otherwise has to be abandoned immediately.  It is like figuring long-range rationale behind placing thumbtacks on a teachers chair.

Bush's insulting behavior, insensitivity, or most likely pointed cruelty toward newly elected Webb at the meet n greet, was to me another indication, and evidence, (as in observable fact) that Bush leads by intimidation, just like any authoritarian dictator, criminal, or lowlife thug.

The video of him invading the space of the German Chancellor Merkel as pointed out by John Stewart, shows how Bush disrespects personal boundaries.

http://web.mac.com/...

The history of the present King of these United States (George II) is a history of repeat injuries, lies, hypocrisy, disastrous decisions, and bad syntax--all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States.  To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid  country.

He has refused his Assent to Laws and Treaties governing the purity of the Environment, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.

Robert F. Kraunz

Sir:

I take strong exception to your remarks on the recent court decision by Judge Anna Diggs Taylor that declared your warrantless wiretap program illegal and unconstitutional. I take particularly strong exception, sir, to your opinion that people who oppose your abuse of the office of President in this (or any other matter)

"...do not understand the nature of the world in which we live."

I think that the people who oppose your regime most avidly understand quite well the nature of the world we live in, and your large and regrettable part in making that world much worse that what it could be. You, sir, understand nothing; you are a liar; a thief; a murderer; and a tyrant, and in all your endeavors ultimately a failure and an incompetent. The truth is not in you, sir. God does not speak to you; or if he does, you're not listening.

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