Let the Eagle Soak

[democrank]

That was the title of an Olbermann segment on Ashcroft and waterboarding last night. It got me to thinking. John Ashcroft`s soaring eagle tune has about as much clout now as Dick Cheney`s Certificate of Completion in a hunter safety course. Ahscroft`s bird is on its back with all talons pointing skyward. "Help me, somebody help me."

Nope, there`s little of value left in the wake of Junior Bush`s Republican-enabled free-for-all. Tattered pieces of the Constitution, a water-soaked map of pre-Katrina New Orleans, some paper with a partially-readable NEVA CONVENTIO on it, a faded banner from a United Steelworkers rally. I`ve noticed a lot of piles: lead-laden plastic toys, NO WAR IN IRAQ posters, post-stop loss father and son football game tickets, MADE IN USA labels.

All for what? That`s the question. How exactly did we advance under the leadership of President George W. Bush? In science? Human rights? Global warming initiatives? World peace? How full are our prisons and how heavy are our hearts? How deep is our debt and how blemished is our name? Who respects us, without those giant bricks of U.S. currency or without those always-ready arms sales?
This "beacon of hope" stuff almost makes me cry. That may be a long term goal for us, but right now we had better right this ship before it sinks for good. Forget rooting for Democrats or Republicans this next election. Root for sanity and pray it wins.