Positive Universe Abstracts

Mother Jones, CA COMMENTARY: America used to call Bush’s style of government by another name—autocracy.

By Steven Hill (m)

In the post-World War II period, America was seen by many as the “City on the Hill,” an imperfect yet nonetheless shining beacon of government of, by, and for the people. But President George W. Bush’s harsh criticisms of the New York Times and other media outlets for their reporting on covert and potentially illegal spying programs underscores once again the degree to which a major crack has appeared in America’s democratic edifice.

The Bush administration’s reasoning is founded on a twisted form of Catch-22 logic. It goes something like this:

1. This war on terrorism is our new Cold War, and it will last a generation or two.

2. Because we are at war it is necessary to engage in certain behaviors—renditions, torture, domestic surveillance, secret prisons.

3. We cannot tell you what we are doing because it will compromise national security during a time of war.

4. The courts cannot review what we are doing because it will compromise national security during a time of war.

5. Any newspaper reporter or news outlet that reports a leak of these programs can be put under oath and forced to reveal sources, under threat of going to jail for contempt.

6. Only select members of Congress can know. But they cannot tell anyone because it will compromise national security.

7. When Congress passes laws, the president has the right to ignore them if he believes they infringe upon his war powers or his role as Commander in Chief. [more]

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