The Politics of Fear - our latest installment

It is indicative of the desperation that hangs in the air of Republican campaign headquarters throughout the land.

"Five years ago," reported the Boston Globe, "shortly after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the White House admonished television networks against using video messages from Osama bin Laden."

That was five years ago. Now, facing a 16% congressional approval rating and the inevitable loss of control over at least one chamber of congress, the RNC is running a new ad showing video of bin Laden and his chief deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri. In the video, they can be seen threatening the United States with phrases such as 'kill the Americans' and saying that attacks so far are 'nothing compared to what you will see next.' The ad concludes with the words: 'These are the stakes. Vote Nov. 7.' (Note: I did not import the video to this post because I am not giving it the exposure.)

The fearmongering might not work this time. This is being floated to a population that has been exhorted to bravely go shopping, stock up on duct-tape and plastic wrap, and told that "no one could have imagined" only to have the lie put to that assertion when it was revealed that someone did imagine, months before, and warned them about it, too boot.

"Americans need to ask themselves if they can trust the GOP leadership," said DNC Press Secretary Stacie Paxton, "which has failed to keep us safe, when Osama bin Laden is still on the loose, Iraq is in the middle of a civil war, and North Korea is testing nuclear weapons. People are looking for leadership, not fear-mongering."

I don't think we will see a huge amount of success from this tactic this go-round. It's one too many trips to a poisoned well.

These are the people who want you to believe that only they can make you safe. (If you believe them, you are dead wrong.)

The fearful, weak and cowardly among us were born with that propensity and inclination. I can't change them. I pity them; but I will not accomodate them.

If you want to wallow in fear, I can't stop you, but please stand aside. Some of us have a life to live, a culture to salvage and a Constitution to rescue; defiantly.