Initial.

Something has manifiested itself over the last six years -- specifically since 9/11/01.  Manifested, because the convulsion seems too large to have been caused by one event, even one as incredibly tragic.

A characteristic of this manifestation seems to be the dominance in the political arena of a sector of the population that cannot be said to have the interests of the United States foremost in mind.  The allegiance of these "neocons" seem to be primarily to a) a pseudo-Christian, tribal-paganist mythology that seems to require putting the interests of the state of Israel ahead those of the United States and b) an exclusive form of militaristic "patriotism" which seems to take precedence over the United States Constituion. 

By coincidence or not, the mythology and philosophy of the necon sector seem to be in close agreement with the financial interests of the international industrial class, in particular big oil, and, perhaps somewhat  more incidentally, the weapon manufacturers.  This alliance in turn generates an excess of financial liquidity that the corporate media simply cannot ignore.  Having some time ago become story-tellers for hire, rather than journalists, the corporate media establishment is only too happy to tell whatever story happens to be more lucrative.

It is perhaps easy to point to 9/11 as the event that drove things over the edge by allowing this alliance to take advantage of the shell shock to cynically manipulate the American people.  This it did.  But it must be remembered that this alliance was able to elect a puppet president way before 9/11.  Clear minds, I think, must disregard Florida.  Clearly, the antiquated logic of the electoral college is at the root of what was the problem.

The tragedy of 9/11 did, of course, became a catalyst and gave the far right-wing alliance all the momentum that they needed.  The Republican party quickly followed to the far right and became an enthusiastic partner in the explotation of the fears and weaknesses of the American people.  The Democratic party, for its part, entered a state of confusion and timidity that is apparent to this day.

But, again, we have to look beyond (or before) 9/11 and realize that "the problem" was already well under way.  It is vital, I think, that we come to understand "the problem" and then design ways to counteract it.  One could say, for example, that "the problem" is largely the fact that the American people have such a short attention span and are so easily manipulated.  If this is so, then how exactly does this come about and what is to be done about it. 

It begins to be clear, in my view, that the current political landscape of our nation is simply not equipped to stand up to the forces that would destroy our Republic.  So another question is, how do we change this landscape -- a monumental undertaking since it would be going against the grain of our two main parties.

It is my hope that there will be some synergy created in this group to deal with these and other questions that are vital to our Republic and our posterity.

-s.