Twilight's Last Gleaming

[Guest guest]

http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/030506Z.shtml

 

Twilight's Last Gleaming

By John Cory

t r u t h o u t | Perspective

 

Sunday 05 March 2006

 

Who are these people? These people who line their pockets with the

lives of our loved ones? These gray men who lurk in shadows and kill

the sunshine of democracy? These people who wear morality like a cheap

suit pilfered from the collection plate of decency? Who are these

people who have turned America into their own personal ATM machine?

These are the people of the lie - Republicans.

 

Who are these people? These people who sit in spineless silence

unable to speak in defense of America? These people who mime the words

of our founders, afraid to act with independence? Who utter the words

" We concede, " instead of " We the People? " These are the people who lie

down - Democrats.

 

Newspapers no longer serve the public, only their corporate

masters. They have wedged themselves firmly between the cheeks of

power, a tissue to sanitize the bullshit. The media has finally

achieved the ultimate self-delusion; broadcasting sitcom politics, and

talking points of the throne, it has become the court jester with

tinkling bells and curly pointed shoes: useless, untrustworthy, and

fused in falsehoods and facades.

 

This is twilight's last gleaming. Attention must be paid.

Democracy is dying.

 

Bush and Company wants us to be afraid. Republicans sell us fear

as they sell out America.

 

Democrats wait in the wings, picking up their pieces of silver to

keep mum. Both political parties capitalize on all the fear.

 

Democrats think we will become so fearful of Republicans that we

will have no other choice but to elect them. That is their incentive.

Low profile, quiet acquiescence, and they think their silence will be

rewarded.

 

This is not the time for silence. According to recent polls from

Zogby, Fox News, Gallup and CNN, 72% of our troops believe the war in

Iraq is a failure and we should withdraw. 64% of the public

disapproves of Bush's handling of Iraq. 69% of Americans are against

the Dubai Port deal. 52% do not find Bush " honest and trustworthy. "

 

And yet Democrats can find no voice, no fight, no issue to unify

them to protect " we the people. " Major print and media outlets can

find no reason to investigate Republican scandals, bribery and lies,

no reason to question an administration that started a war with a lie

and failed its own citizens when Katrina hit, by lying about what they

did or did not know. Katrina, like 9/11, left the boy king wide-eyed

and unprepared. Leader of the free world? Most Americans think not.

 

When it comes time for voting, here is what I will remember: the

silence.

 

If there is a voice for America, let them speak now. Let them

speak for the poor women who not only will find abortion illegal, but

will not be allowed birth control and contraceptives. Let them speak

for the old and infirm who will not be able to have healthcare and

cost-effective drug prescriptions. Let them speak for true family

values of providing for our veterans and protecting our troops with

proper body armor and ending a false war so no more loved ones have to

die for a lie.

 

But most of all, let them now speak up for the one precious gift

that is America - Freedom. Freedom of speech - Freedom to dissent -

Freedom from illegal domestic spying. Freedom, sweet freedom for which

our fathers, brothers, and sisters have fought and died for over the

past 230 years!

 

Hunter S. Thompson warned, " Big dark coming soon. " Big dark is here.

 

Our Constitution hangs by a thread. Make no mistake, this is

twilight's last gleaming. It's time to defend America, not sell it

down the river of corporate greed. It is time to stand up, not slink

away to fight another day, because there are no more days. The

monarchs of mendacity under George Bush are dismantling democracy at

every opportunity.

 

Democrats, you want my vote? Earn it! Get up off your ass and take

a stand! Take back America. Stop whimpering. Throw out your

Republican-lite Bush lickspittles and suit up for battle. We the

people will support you if you speak up for the America we live in and

want to preserve. You cannot claim victory simply because you kept the

GOP from burying the Constitution while you let them drive it underground.

 

This is twilight's last gleaming. Who will speak up for America?

 

John Cory is a Vietnam veteran. He received the Purple Heart and

Bronze Star with V device, 1969 - 1970.