Hope Is No Panacea
by CHARLES C. HALL , Ed.D

"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves ..."

-Thomas Jefferson

As a "yellow dog" Democrat I am pleased the Dems finally won a game in the midterm "take-no-prisoners" political arena. But, it worries me (I worry a lot, and abhor "buts" in a sentence) that they poop off their new-found power by over-confidence and foolish gestures. Dems can be as imperious to good sense as Repubs -- and are.

No one can please everyone, someone has to die, just like the lady said in a late nite movie I recently watched when it was crunch time of "me or him." Guess who lost. Distinct and workable priorities and agendas must be proposed, goals clearly outlined in order for the Dems to prove to me they are for real. I feel certain that view pervades the thoughts of each of us, the unwashed of the Democratic persuasion.

There is much to be accomplished to rectify some of the sins and downright criminal activity of the past six years with the "advice and consent" of the Congress. The media shirked its duty of informing the public of the mis- and malfeasance of the Repubs. There were important circumstances swept under the rug by all major media outlets (see first the New York Times and Judy Miller). I wonder why the Dems can't catch a pass like the Repubs? Must have something like faulty air in Foggy Bottom as the culprit.

Bush said some months ago what he intended to do about the fate of Iraq -- "leave it to the next president." That's a copout failure of leadership if I ever heard one. It also stands as the most unintended remark of honesty he has made in six years. The three (or was it four?) tax cuts to the very rich was a huge hint that the next four years were going to be rough. Then, dadgummed if Ohio, like Florida in 2000, didn't give him another four. How many of you out there even dream of 500K/yr.? Only 0.8% draw down such numbers and they cast their taxes by a minimum 44 grand. The filthy rich got checks in the mail as high as one mil. Oh well, it's always been this way, so why cry?

I have no idea how Gore or Kerry would have performed, had they got the chance. The two men's temperament did not seem to have an Iraq war in their crosshairs as it was in Bush's. Mightily opposed was I about that excursion from day one. I knew it would turn sour quite early. How? Let me count the ways.

First, Iraq is a made-up country the Brits stitched together in the '20s and '40s. They combined three groups hostile to each other in one frying pan -- a volatile mix of hatreds going back hundreds of years. Second, Saddam Hussein overthrew the Brits' man to head the disasterous combo, and subsequently went on to completely dominate (read 'dictator') the mix. The Brits had not studied their history. Having satellites (India, Australia, Canada, etc., etc.) all over the world gave them an exalted dais above all others, to be seemingly invincible. How could they know that a sari-clad, thin, wisp of a man like Ghandi would bring it all smashing down? Ah, superiority. Sneaks up on one when one does not expect it. It has been true throughout history. Methinks Bush knows little of history. Not good.

Third, the march to Baghdad was a remarkable example of what our armed service people can do in a conventional war. It soon turned unconventionable in a flash. No flowers, no welcoming committees, no huzzahs in the streets except that scene of Hussein's brass image being trashed. Things began to tank in a twinkling. The regular so-called Iraqi "army" melted away to fight a different kind of war.

Fourth, the looting. It maybe could have been controlled with a much larger force. But, the troops there were ordered to search for WMD, not to secure ammunition dumps, hospitals, schools, museums. Many of the artifacts from that ageless museum have already appeared on auction blocks around the world. What's your take on Iraq ever having them returned? Low? Thought so.

Fifth, the disbanding of the Iraqi army, and sending them home with their weapons. How smart is that? Well, not very. Those weapons are now in the hands of vicious prisoners and murderers Saddam ordered freed, and are now killing the youth of America - - thirteen last week. And, Bush and his entourage won't even call what's happening what it truly is -- chaotic, ethnic cleansing. Even those inter married are not exempt.

Sixth, the "feel good" bloviating of Condi Rice, the Secretary of State who was a failure at the National Security Council (NSC) and is now at State in the same failing mode. Her comfy comments about "all is well" ring hollow. But wait. Bush sent Karen Hughes to schmooze the sheiks, shreeks, and Arab skunks to see the world through Bush's eyes. They blew her off in her first meeting. Wow! There is a God!

Seventh, (which should have been nearer the first of this treatise), the reckless bravado of Bush with his encouragement to terriorists "to bring 'em on"; Mission Accomplished "; "We're winning the war on terror"; (Oh really?); bin Laden, dead or alive?"; and other tomfoolery.

I could go on, but this is giving me heartburn. Sara hates my heartburn. Makes me grumpy and difficult.

When all political power is in the hands of a single party, things are going to go downhill. Happened with the Dems. Now, the Repubs are reaping the whirlwind they authored. Scoundrels come in all sizes, colors and party affiliation. So, beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing.

If the Dems don't implode over their new-found power, I'll be mightily surprised. I need a good surprise for a change. But, I ain't takin' no bets that some of their choices and stupidity won't give me heartburn. Hope and despair are horns on the same goat. Or, the ears of a jackass.

Jefferson, where art thou?