In my poli sci classes at UCLA, and even my current Public Law class, we discussed why there aren't revolutions in the United States. A lot of people might quickly respond that we're an apathetic nation. But another large reason is that we have "free and frequent" elections. As bad as things get, I think a lot of people have hope that things will change in the next election. And maybe that's what we're just doing now. Crossing our fingers and hoping that Iran doesn't nuke us before the 2008 election.
It'll be interesting to see how this President will perceived in the history books. I almost feel like things have become so bad and there's been so much media attention with the 24-hour news cycle that we've become desensitized to it. It's just like watching too much violence on television; after a while it just doesn't effect you as much anymore.
The blunders seem to pile up so quickly you forget everything that's happened. Wikipedia's ever reliable entry on Bush notes that he has "received heavy criticism for his handling of the Iraq War, his response to Hurricane Katrina, and to the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse, NSA warrantless surveillance, and Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp controversies." Just look at the past month. Who remembers the Scooter Libby verdict when the US Attorney firings soon captured all the headlines?
By the way, these topics provide great fodder for nerdy law school students. One day you're reading about Congress and the President fighting over war powers or the legality of Presidential signing statements, the next day you're learning about them in class. My friend Jessie and I concluded that as long as the government keeps screwing up, it's a good time to be in law school, especially in DC.
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