So before long, there will only be two options for the people who want to run things. First, they could organize a rational liquidation of much of the empire, which would free up enough resources to create a long-term winning coalition. Second, they could go completely bugfuck nuts, and try to maintain the empire while cutting back on all social benefits and counting on the thrills of military triumph and chialism to keep them in power. What won't be possible is the Obama-Biden approach.

In other words, the days of a rational American empire are drawing to a close. We'll be forced to discard either the empire part, or the rational part. And based on 10,000 years of human history, I'm guessing it's the rational part that will go.

Whether McCain wins or not, Sarah Palin is a harbinger of the future. The fact there was no one able to prevent McCain from choosing such an obviously inadequate imperial manager, and choosing her in such a bizarre, panicked way, indicates that--as during the decline of Rome, or the last years of Saddam's regime--everyone sane has already been eliminated from the power structure. And thus we're left with nothing but the whim of whoever's clambered to the top of the Crazy Pole.

Welcome to the Terrordome!

I'm still a bit miffed that the indiscriminate use of rubber bullets, tear gas, and concussion grenades on protesters is not more roundly criticized, when used on the "anarchists."

I agree with you StevenD.  We truly seem to be on a razor's edge.  And I'm glad you are writing about it.  But, for me, the razor has already cut for many of us on the "left."  Now, as you correctly point out, the razor's edge stands between Republicans and persons as notable as Amy Goodman.  But many have already been cut up by the razor.  Look to your left.  They are all already shredded.  Not allowed a place to talk/protest.  "Anarchists."  Communists.  Marxists.  Socialsts.  Social democrats.  Liberals.  9/11 truthers.  Black preachers who talk about oppression.  The "left" is throwing its membership under the bus as fast as possible.  Has been since at least post-WWII as far as I can see from history.  And this is just where we are now.  On the road to Fascism and no one even has a road map, let alone the good sense to stop at a gas station and ask for directions.

What this country has left as far as room for acceptable political debate can be seen on the two sides of the table on any cable news talk show, and that's about the extent of it.

It sure does seem a lot like that old saying, "First they came for the... and I did nothing...."  No blame to you Steven D.  You are writing about it all everyday.  But when we don't all stand together for the least of us, as the fascists get emboldened, then I guess we end up with a culture that allows Amy Goodman to spend some time in the freezer nursing her bruises.  At least we are only halfway down the road.  At least they released her without torturing or killing her.  Maybe there is still time for the "left" to come together and forcefully respond.

"Have you no sense of decency, sir. At long last, have you left no sense of decency?" -- Boston Attorney Joseph Welch, taking down Sen. Joseph McCarthy.

Makes you wonder, why?

Just the beginning? Have you forgotten the rest of American history? How the Democrats under Wilson arrested and imprisoned thousands for protesting their latest illegal war? How the Democrats during the 60s violently attacked and arrested thousands? Have you forgotten how many millions of lives have been destroyed becaues of the War on Drugs, which the Democrats have backed just as strongly as the Republicans (if not more)?

Sorry, but the hypocrisy is a bit much too bear. How long are you folks going to go on deluding yourself into thinking that the Democrats are any different or better than the Republicans? Come on, folks, get real. The Democrats, like the Republicans, are extremely violent, nasty, warmongering people with a long history of treating human rights with contempt. How many lives have to be destroyed before people wake up?

This is despicable, but let's also not forget is was a certain Clinton Administration under which it became perfectly acceptable for the cause to relocate protesters away from this convention hall or that speaking engagement location and across town where they'd not be photographed or videoed anywhere close to the candidate -- where all the "respectable news folks" were covering the story.  More than a few protesters back then were manhandled by the authorities, but because they were up in arms about cigars in the oval office and a little lady named Monica... well, that was insufficient cause to care about their first amendment rights.