I've just been waiting for another McCarthy to materialize, and it may have. The "Patriot Act", an attack upon American civil rights for the benefit ruling political party, has legitimized neo-McCarthyism.

It was the same lack of courage that this law was passed as was exhibited by the American Congress in their cowardice in the face of McCarthy. Same jingoist stampede, same appeal to the base and ignorant that lawmakers were afraid to stand up to.

So, we're there. Only it's worse. McCarthy had a blacklist, the US has people imprisoned forever without anyone knowing or able to tell, Guantanamo, people like the Gitmo chaplain smeared without reason or cause. Even the bad traits of the badguys has been adopted by the US, with the childish excuse, "They made me do it!!"

And the American public still tolerates it, not being able to believe, evidently, that GWB & Co. would lie so hugely, so long and so hard. Because basically the American public is good, great even, when honestly led. And not a reasoning soul could say they are being honestly led.

And if you want to know why, well, just follow the money.

Arf