March 28th, 2003

Dear Senator Wyden,

You know, I usually write one letter, and then print two copies, one for you and one for Senator Smith. The letters are usually the same, with a tweak here and there. I’m breaking tradition with this letter.

Everywhere I look, I see fascism on the march. Right wing idealogues have taken over AM radio, with multi-story billboards advertising their smug certainty. Fox TV has turned into the Pentagon’s propaganda machine, with scrolling quotes from our Fearless Leader (“Bush: our cause is just”). Oregon state senator John Minnis is pushing SB 742, which criminalizes civil disobedience to the point where a march that blocks traffic labels even minor participants as “terrorists,” subject to prison for life. Tax cuts for the obscenely rich promise deficits that stretch out into the indefinite future. No real corporate reform has been enacted, though it appears that restatements of earnings are still popular on the pages of the business section. The Domestic Security Enhancement Act of 2003 is probably one fake white powder incident away from being dropped on Congress for fast track approval, obliterating what is left of the Bill of Rights.

Back in January, Pat Oliphant had a great editorial cartoon, depicting George Bush gamely trying to bring a mob of wild dogs labeled Iraq, China, North Korea, Syria, Iran, and others to heel. The dogs are tearing his clothes off, but Bush is smiling, saying, “Don’t worry, I have a way with dogs.” The way I see it, his words are all too true. The growling of the dogs is the only thing that makes Bush look good. Bush is counting on the dogs for his 2004 re-election. He doesn’t care, apparently, whether the half-baked Iraq scheme blows up in his face, as it threatens to do; it’s just another reason for him to stand tall and tell everyone that, well, I told you they were bad people, and we’ve got to deal firmly with them. And then we’ll send more of our fearsome fighting boys out to get shot up in some sandy country.

Many people are saying, why aren’t the Democrats doing something? And that is a good question. Surely you know that the Republican party won the Senate on the basis of fear - keeping Democrats on the defensive against the charges of “weak on terrorism” and “unpatriotic.” That was a good game plan in 2002, and it will be a great game plan in 2004. I will tell you frankly that I believe Karl Rove and the gang are going to use North Korea as the “2004 model crisis” running up to the election. If there is an election. I would rate the odds as better than even that we’ll be at war with someone - Iran, Syria, North Korea, take your pick. So what the hell are you guys going to do about it?!



Kurt



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