By Loren Adams – 08.15.2010
Watching the colossal tragedy unfolding in America is like
being transfixed by a horror movie in slow-motion – like a nightmare
impossible to reverse, yet so terminally determined by forces outside our
influence we can only silently wish for the miraculous. We are paralyzed
observers to the nation’s unraveling as we can only observe the decline but do
nothing to stop it. We gaze in dread the resurgence of ignorance and the
resurrection of a political movement that wreaked havoc in the past and is
destined to repeat its damning legacy.
America’s fall is not due to the corrupt. It is due to the
lack of defense against the corrupt. History has always incubated its villains.
But the antidote was the necessity that changed history’s course for the
better. Without a courageous hero [or set of heroes] in villainous times,
civilization collapses into dark ages. Imagine a version of history where Adolf
Hitler plays his character to the fullest without the accompanying roles of
Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt to resist.
"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that
good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke, 1729-1797)
Representative
Anthony Weiner’s stand in Congress July 29, 2010, demonstrated the spirit
that should be emulated by the White House and President Barack Obama.
Weiner spoke truth to power with such courage and righteous
indignation, the nation stood up and took notice. About time. Democrats are sickened
by their weak leaders that have displayed feeble responses that demand swift,
strong, courageous opposition. This pattern has been going on for decades
– at least since the years following the days of JFK and Harry Truman. If
Democratic leaders’ SOP fails to change, the nation will certainly succumb to
the new Tea Party with its Nazi-like undertones.
Appearing later on HARDBALL,
Rep. Anthony Weiner went on to liken the inherent weakness within the party
leadership as to carrying library books to a knife fight. I predict that quote is
a keeper – for good reason. His words capsulate the truth about Dems’
spinelessness – a condition far more threatening to America’s future than
those perpetrating racism, greed, self-righteousness, intolerance, fear-baiting,
mythical belief-systems, and the like. Carrying library books to a knife fight
results in who and what winning?
What America misses at this hour is a national leader, like
Anthony Weiner and Alan Grayson, of courage and conviction. Progressives’ hopes
were built on the election of Barack Obama. But he’s disappointed us by morphing
into a George McFly – the compromising weak character before his son Marty
was transported back 30 years to accidentally tweak his father’s behavior (from
the 1985 movie BACK TO THE FUTURE).
Biff Tannen (the Republican bully) thumps George McFly
(Obama) on the head, “Yeah, McFly, I wrecked your damned nation. But it was your
fault because you were elected after I drove it into the ditch. Why didn’t you
tell me about that blind spot? So we Republicans shouldn’t be held accountable
for anything.”
George McFly replies, “Can I assume that your party will pay
for the damage, Biff?”
Biff: “My party? It’s your country now, McFly. Who’s going
to pay for this?” (Points to his soiled jacket.) Quickly changing the subject,
Biff demands, “And where are my reports?”
McFly, “I’ll get to them, Biff. Just haven’t had time.”
Biff thumps George McFly on the head several more times.
“Hello? Hello? Think, McFly. You wouldn’t want me to get fired, would you,
McFly?”
“Of course not, Biff. I’ll finish them up tonight and
hand-deliver them to you first thing in the morning,” replies McFly meekly
– seeming to totally forget what Biff just did.
All the while Biff Tannen makes fun of George McFly after
Biff wrecks the nation. Problem is McFly has no guts. He fears confrontation
more than he fears failure to do what’s right. Biff would be put in his place
if only George McFly would show some courage.
It’s a matter of perception. Barack Obama McFly cannot
visualize Biff and his bullies, the Republicans, as anything other than
opposition colleagues that desire similar outcomes as Democrats. His distorted
vision is cause for alarm because he sits as chief executive.
And Biff’s bullies point to the town’s icon, the courthouse
clock frozen from ten years before at 9:11 o’clock when lightning struck, as
reason to be frozen in policy – following in Bush’s footsteps and not
honoring campaign promises to millions of progressives now distraught with
cynicism. Barack McFly wonders aloud why supporters have abandoned him –
not calculating his failed promises and weak responses. Maybe Biff needs to
knock him in the head some more.
Marty’s week-long visit in the past failed to modify his
father’s nature. Instead of Goldie Wilson becoming the first Black mayor of
Hill Valley, George McFly was thrust into the presidency with the same weak,
compromise-loving nature. The flux capacitor operated fine, but somehow Marty’s
magic didn’t.
We are stuck in a BACK TO THE FUTURE episode that went awry
with George McFly. The countdown to November drags us into a miserable future
with Biff’s bullies regaining power. If only the Democratic leadership would
pay attention.