The Leash of Fear

Since September 11, 2001, all we have heard is to be very afraid. Bush told us we were attacked that day because those behind the attacks hated our freedoms. Then he proceeded to start playing with the Constitution like it was a scrapbook item. Cut here, paste there, as need be. Because Americans heeded bush’s command to be fearful, they dutifully handed over their precious freedoms in the name of patriotism. How sad. They shut the hell up when they were told we must invade Iraq. Again, they did it under their proud fear banner. Somewhere along the way it became in vogue to be a frightened American. That’s how you qualified to be a patriot. If you weren’t afraid, you just weren’t a good American and you didn’t support the president, the war, or the troops. That logic was as false as the facts it was based upon.

This week, the drape was pulled back and we were shown the port deal. Those good fearful American patriots gasped in horror. How could the US do this deal? The president, who we are told was clueless on this matter similar to his cluelessness on most all matters of importance, told his huddled admirers that they should not be afraid. He yanked the hell out of their chain. See, they had walked along on the leash of fear for a long time. They knew the walk so well they could do it all by themselves. But, when he yanked that leash off their neck this week they were all confused. A funny thing happened, instead of acquiescing to his command to no longer be afraid, they fought back. Wow, they turned on their master. They screamed, “You told us to be fearful. We were. We wore our fear with pride. Now you turn to us and say don’t be afraid. Being afraid is all we know how to do, you trained us that way.” Their master responded, “I needed the leash of fear on you when I had need for you, but now you are worthless to me. I no longer need you dogs of war. I’m moving on to other plans, other goals and you just slow me down.”

Why did bush make the decision that he did even though he really didn’t appear to know much more about this deal than we did? What does he know that we don’t know? What does he know that would cause him to remove the leash of fear from his minions? Did he slip up or does he really not need them anymore?