Karen Hughes - masochist?

Is Karen Hughes a masochist or just plain stupid? You remember her. I think she is considered Assistant Secretary of State and charged with "selling" America, American culture, and American values to the rest of the world, especially the Middle East. On her maiden voyage a few weeks ago she distinguished herself by her abysmal ignorance of both history and the Middle East. Now she has been sent forth once again to convince the Middle East that America is really "good," and has only the best interests of everyone in mind. This at the time when Muslims are rioting all over the place because of cartoons insulting to the Prophet and, probably more importantly, enraged over the further pictures of torture at Abu Ghraid. I guess you would have to give her credit for Chutzpah if nothing else. The fact that the White House would even consider such a program indicates just how far from reality they are. Karen Hughes knows apparently nothing about the Middle East or Middle Eastern cultures. She also has apparently no background in history. She has been said by our dear Condi Rice to give really good sermons. Are there no limits at all to the idiocy of the Bush/Cheney administration? I'm sure she will accomplish much - if she can manage to stay alive.

On an even less optimistic note, it has been revealed that a Halliburton subsidiary has been awarded a 385 million dollar contract to build a bunch of "detention centers" around the United States. These are said to be "temporary" centers in case of "immigration emergencies" or "national disasters." Does that make you feel more secure. Just what immigration emergency might they have in mind? Bear in mind that Bush/Cheney have abrogataed to themselves power to lock up anyone they feel like, for any amount of time, with no charges and no ability to defend themselves. Now do you feel secure? We are, my friends, well along the road to an outright fascist dictatorship. So sleep well, knowing that your country is in good hands.

The Bush/Cheney administration has managed to survive and flourish so far because of fear. They have used fear to pass the outrageous Patriot Act, defend their warrantless and illegal wiretapping, and silence their critics. I suggest that fear may eventually backfire because when (and if) people wake up to what is going on they are going to be far more fearful of the Bush/Cheney administration than they are of presumed terrorists. And they should be. Do you want to end up in a detention center because of a wrong bumper sticker or t-shirt? Do you want to remain mute in the face of evil because you are afraid to speak the truth to power? This swarm of evil that is threatening to destroy our Republic has to be defeated. NOW!