[lbo-talk] "Move the goalposts, wingnuts!"

[Tom Walker]

It is intoxicating to read the outbursts of indignation about the 
mismanagement of disaster response from media celebrities, even from a 
few erstwhile Bush supporters. But one thing should be clear: nothing 
short of sustained, mass civil disobedience will alter the political 
equation.

Even as the liberals and Democrats gleefully anticipate kicking a field 
goal, the call has gone out to Bush supporters, "MOVE THE GOALPOSTS, 
WINGNUTS!" Given time, public opinion will do what it is told. News 
reporters will go back to their role as sandwichmen for White House 
sources. Democrats will call for 'investigations'. Tens of billions of 
dollars of 'reconstruction' funding will flow to corporate cronies. 
Thousands will die in Iraq and be displaced in the US. Hundreds of 
millions will flow back to the campaign chests of the Republicans and, 
to a lesser degree, the Democrats. Business-as-usual will return with a 
vengence. Dissatisfaction will drone on barely audibly. 'Moderates' and 
the 2006 congressional elections will once again be offered as the last 
great hope of democracy.

Nothing -- short of sustained, mass civil disobedience  -- will alter 
this political equation.

The Sandwichman