The Memory Hole

In 1984, the memory hole was a function of the government that allowed them to make mistakes disappear. This Orwellian dystopic fantasy was intended to show how control of information can quite easily control history and control the present and future. The more simplistic explanation of course is just BizarroWorld.

Misdirection, if not a synonym of politics is at its very least an essential component. Plan on short memories and very little critical thinking and analysis. Speak emphatically, loudly and clearly and it becomes THE TRUTH. The master of this was the Great Communicator himself, however to give Ronnie credit, I truly think that he believed what he was saying and if not he believed that his stories resonated with American people and would lead America to greater things. Today of course misdirection, what has traditionally been called fibbing, exaggeration, hyperbole or down right lying goes all the way to the top of the political food chain.

Certainly Bill Clinton engaged in this same type of misdirection, relying on his arrogance and self-absorbed intellectual superiority to avoid being questioned about his intern issues, eventually leading to his impeachment on perjury charges. Which makes you think, what if he had told the truth about his dalliances, there would be scandal and embarrassment but what would have happened to the last two years of what had potential for greatness but ended in shame. The shame that began a series of political events that obscured the continuing war on terror and began the machinations of continuing dirty politics with no substance and lack of leadership.

PHO HISTORY AND A FAKE TURKEY

So after about 4 and a half years of denying it, suddenly the administration has begun to invoke Vietnam and Iraq in the same sentence. Certainly this comparison would not be made between looking for WMD's, yellowcake and the Tonkin Gulf incident that essentially were the cases for both conflicts; or the extended battle of insurgency against a seemingly hidden foe whether it be the winning of hearts and minds or fighting against "a few deadenders"; the continued bleeding both of American blood and treasure, or the lack of a defined mission or road to victory. All these would likely be decent comparisons, and as armchair historians and political scientists, could lead to long discussions, debates and arguments. But these are the people in charge of the whole game.

The argument used now is that pulling out of Iraq would cause terrible human rights damage, similar to the killing fields of Pol Pot or the re-education camps of Vietnam. These are likely valid arguments, it is unknown what type of hell Iraq may become without some type of American or coalition forces to engage potential genocidal action and slaughter. That being said and necessity of the issue of troop withdrawal being addressed by more than a "pull them all out" or "surge to victory" leaves the American people in fear of facing an increasingly withdrawn and troubled presidency of almost Nixonian proportions.

It seems we must hope that there are greater forces, Bush 41, a council of elders, Laura, a really clinical psychiatrist, a bottle of Booker's that can pull the President back from the precipice, to show the strength that he showed in mid-September 2001 or at least do no more harm. The joking, folksy, gambling President Bush is gone, a more sober, serious Bush, willing to take advice from all sides must emerge. There will be no enormous mea culpa, but the President must rise above the partisan politics to lead.

BEDTIME FOR GONZO!
On a lighter note, the Alberto Gonzalez error is done. Better known as the world's highest ranking mob lawyer, Gonzo was the administration's excuse maker, leading into the axiom, it's better to ask for forgiveness than permission, especially when you're the one in charge of giving forgiveness. Gonzo felt he didn't have to answer to anyone and like Clinton, likely could have benefited from just being honest from the get-go, in Alberto's case, around the issue of the fired prosecutors. In this case, Al, just tell the truth, if only because it is the easiest thing to remember. This case would have blown over quickly, but the arrogance of secrecy is that this is our knowledge, our Constitution and we'll use it like we want to. Where there is a vacancy, there is opportunity and certainly this opens up a spot for a talented law enforcement and legal leader who can get the support of both parties and rise above the fray of politics.

CRUISING MINNESOTA

Larry Craig, Republican from Idaho wants your family values vote, especially if that family values vote include cruising the men's room of airports. Which I believe is one of the party planks that James Dobson is trying to add to the party platform. Hey, you're an adult, do whatever you want to do as a consenting adult but it's the hypocrisy people. Craig has been the target of groups trying to "out" him for several years and recently pled guilty to "lewdness" in the airport in Minneapolis. The Romney campaign in a quick separation began to move away from it's co-senate liasion although the five brothers have yet to completely scrub the website. Ah, it just keeps getting better and better.