Erosion, in a word. Its been going on for some time, but it doesn’t make news because it isn’t news, it isn’t tied to any single event. The Bushiviks have shamelessly exploited the instinctive patriotism of working class, blue collar people. These are people who cannot help but feel that criticizing The Leader in a Time of War is inherently wrong. Amongst them, such persons as might be inclined to be critical are self-censoring, they keep their silence.
Gradually, but gradually, it begins to dawn. In the diners, the beauty shops, the feed stores, it gradually comes about that the counter-argument gains legitimacy, it can be spoken without immediate censure. Everyone in this “class” knows someone, or is someone, who has a son, brother, sister under arms. Or worse, has lost someone dear in this asinine debacle. For a while, they can be silenced, or at least muted, by appeals to their patriotism. Which is why the Bushiviks tirelessly equate criticism of their idiotic policies as criticism of our troops.
“Our wonderful troops are doing a great job, but, of course, Howard Dean doesn’t think so…” And so on and so forth, till you want to go behind a tree and puke your guts out.
Given enough time, that erodes, it rusts. It becomes legitimate to ask the hard questions. Why can’t my son come home, he’s been there for two years? To these people, that is much more the question than “where are the WMD?” They are willing to accept sacrifice, but not needless sacrifice. When the criticisms come only from faceless Volvo-driving liberals in some distant city, it is easy to scorn. When it comes from Midge down at the 7-11, who’s son isn’t coming back…that’s a whole different thing.
No single news story effects this erosion, its the death of ten thousand cuts. My guess is that this is one of those rare public figures who actually does listen to the people he represents, the people upon whom his political survival depends. And they are slowly but relentlessly turning sour.
What will the Bushiviks do? They will look to re-frame the question again, to once again frame the issue as a question of patriotism and loyalty. (I hear vague rumors of a “flag desecration” constitutional amendment…) Some means to cast themselves as the loyal defenders of Our Heroes against the slanders and lies of freedom-hating liberals.
Don’t think so? Bet me.