Looking back over the past eight years, I have often been amazed at the Bush administration's ability to deflect attention from their scandalous behavior by behaving even more scandalously. Every time we begin to wrap our heads (and our media) around , they hit us with the next, effectively tabling the discussion of the former as we stand, slackjawed, marveling at the ever increasing pile of evil deeds. It can be overwhelming, and the promise of a new administration in five months can make us want to look forward, not back. But as Elaine Scarry writes, in an article in the Boston Review that is thoughtful and well-researched (not to mention enraging), we must not forget what has gone on above our heads, behind our backs, or even in front of our eyes. Here are the opening paragraphs of her article:
Please do yourself a favor and, when you have a few minutes, read the rest of the article here: http://www.bostonreview.net/BR33.5/scarry.phpWe have at the present time two government leaders, a president and a vice president, who, according to all available evidence, have carried out grave crimes. Will these two men leave office and live out their lives without being subjected to legal proceedings? Such proceedings will surely release new documents and provide additional testimony important in resolving their guilt or innocence. But the public record is now so elaborate, so detailed, and validated from so many directions that a weight is on the population’s shoulders: does our already existing knowledge of what they have done obligate us to press for legal redress?
The question is painful even to ask, so painful that we may all yield to an easy temptation not to pursue it at all.
For a lighter political moment, please laugh with me at a hapless Fox News reporter who strolled into a protest
The ever-reliable Harper's Magazine contextualizes this rebuffing of the media here: http://harpers.org/archive/2008/08/hbc-90003473
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