Seems Flame is an appropriate place for this. I have repeatedly stated that the major progressive sites such as KOS and media darlings of the left such as Keith Olbermann are much more balanced than the mutual admiration society they are portrayed as by our right wing ideologues.

An article on KOS today I think clearly shows that balance and a good sample of the critical discussion that goes on from these sources. This type of dialogue has been vicious at times since Obama's taken office.

Olbermann Smacks Down Obama's Loss of Credibility

It's actually a chronic weakness of the Democrats to engage in circular firing squads but it's also what primarily appeals to me about being a progressive and moderate. There is no black and white. Nobody escapes from accountability because of their populist appeal. Now it worries me greatly because the American public wants singularity of message and that gives a tremendous advantage to the uni-message propaganda style of the right.

I happen to not be as alarmed at Obama's decision to not act as a pit bull in going after the abuses of Bush and his policies and even allowing some of them to continue even though there are definite Constitutional breeches and clear criminality from the previous administration. Realism must enter into the picture at some point and some things tabled until societal evolution can adjust a bit. The Kennedy brothers tried to shake things up too fast and there are many scholars that now believe the blowback contributed to their demise. I don't know who killed JFK but the various conspiracy theories do get one thing right. His lethal enemies list was huge. A President's ability to get things done is seriously hampered by that kind of evil hanging over their head.

My guess is that Obama is becoming quickly aware of the dangers of taking on the established intelligence apparatus. Any attempt to prosecute the Bush bunch for their overreach would certainly require other very dangerous heads to roll. At a time when conservative media stars are calling for armed insurrection, it seems a bit prudent to make very careful choices. Change like that has to come at a snail's pace.

Art