Summary: Here we discuss the hidden history of our generation (hidden to us, obvious to future generations). At the end we announce a contest. What kind of monument best commemorates the two men responsible for killing the Constitution?
The Constitution has died.
It lived only in our hearts. At first government officials moved beyond the Law in secret (organizations such as the CIA were explicitly setup to do this). Then they leaked their deeds, testing for acceptance. Now they boast, rewarded by our applause (enthusiastic acceptance).
The Presidential campaign provides its wake, as candidates boast how they’ll take us into the post-Republic era. Obama has an advantage, as he can boast what he’s done to destroy the Constitution. About killing by drones, about the execution of bin Laden. As we see in yesterday’s advertisement pretending to be news in the New York Times: ”Secret ‘Kill List’ Proves a Test of Obama’s Principles and Will“.
We’ll see the movie later this year of a heavily-armed special operations team executing a old man.
The November election will provide a plebiscite ratifying the death of the Founders’ dream, as we passively choose between two candidates each devoted to building the post-Constitutional America.
But if you are most people in the United States, your reaction is much more likely to be, good, I’m glad they are killing the bad guys, and I’m glad they’re thinking hard about who they’re killing and why before they do it. Clearly the administration wants to get across a message to the public that there is a serious process, even if the circumstances for making targeting decisions are novel.
— “The Secret ‘Kill List’ and the President“, Kenneth Anderson, Volokh Conspiracy, 29 May 2012
This quiet coup was done quietly. Without force, without public opposition. Each step has been in the news. If there was a conspiracy, than we are the co-conspirators.
The book argues that the Madisonian system of separation of powers has eroded beyond recognition and been replaced with a system of executive primacy (which others have called the “imperial presidency”) in which Congress and the courts play only a marginal role.
— Executive Unbound: After the Madisonian Republic, Eric Posner (Prof Law, U Chicago) and Adrian Vermeule (Prof Law, Harvard). You can download the first chapter at Amazon. Here is Posner’s summary at the Volokh Conspiracy.
On another day we will discuss what we can do next. Today we can commemorate those most responsible for this historic event, the two men who changed the course of a great nation: George Bush Jr and Usama bin Laden. Partners in crime; perhaps some day Hollywood will made a action flick with them as odd couple buddies.
Bin Laden staged what might be the most effective single military operation in western history. Perhaps in world history. For details see:
- Was 9/11 the most effective single military operation in the history of the world?, 11 June 2008
- The vital things to know about 9-11, painful and so seldom mentioned today, 12 September 2011
Bush Jr was the President who most strongly changed America since Lincoln, second only to FDR (who navigated America through the Great Depression and WWII, laying the foundation for the awesome successes of the next two generations). He seized the opportunity bin Laden created, bringing bin Laden’s dream to fruition. The US destroyed as a beacon, rebuilt as a tottering over-extended enemy of Islam. At this rate we might unify the Islamic peoples — against us.
These men will be remembered for a thousand years as the political power hitters of the 21st century, along with their counterparts of the 20th century — Lenin, Hitler, and Mao. Historians will ask why the top guns were all evil.
Now for some fun
We should remember these men who destroyed two centuries of work and sacrifice. What kind of monument do they deserve in Washington DC? Please post your ideas in the comments! Here are two ideas to start the contest.
- A giant marble hand, center finger thrust into the air — a pillar higher than the Washington monument.
- Statues of both men, arms clasped, staring out to the horizon — seeing we know not what.
For more information
There are dozens of posts documenting the fantastically rapid decline and fall of the Second Republic. See them all at the FM Reference page America – how can we stop the quiet coup now in progress?
A few of the recent red flags: