COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Saturday, October 31, 2015

John Dean on Republican Dysfunction:


  • “That’s just to me always been a mind-blowing attitude to even get into government if you want to destroy the government and try to obstruct the government. I think it is unconstitutional, I think there may be criminal implications in what these people are doing, and no one’s ever dug out the fact that this is a near treasonous mentality this party has at its core.”


AUDIO: Robert Scheer and John Dean on Richard Nixon, Ted Cruz and the Abuse of Power 

Posted on Oct 30, 2015
In the premiere episode of KCRW’s “Scheer Intelligence,” Truthdig’s editor-in-chief sits down with John Dean, the former legal adviser to President Richard Nixon who blew the lid on Watergate scandal. At the time of the scandal, Dean famously remarked that there was a “cancer on the presidency.” Now an outspoken critic of the Republican Party, he describes Nixon as “a president who had a criminal mentality,” adding: “[He] sought revenge against his perceived enemies [and] was going to use his presidency to that end. Had he not have been removed from office, there’s no telling what he would have done to his so-called enemies.” In this podcast, Dean offers his take on the misuse of power under the guise of
national security

LINK TO LISTEN HERE: From KCRW.com:
In his most recent book, “The Nixon Defense: What He Knew and When He Knew It,” guest John Dean listened to hundreds of hours of never-before-exposed tapes recorded during Nixon’s time in office. In the interview, Dean discusses the history of presidential recordings and why Nixon’s were ultimately his downfall. He also talks about the difference between Goldwater Republicans, which he considered himself to be, and the current state of the GOP, with a faction he considers uninterested in actually governing.
Scheer and Dean also discuss how presidents have used national security as a justification for violating people’s civil rights, from Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon papers through the George W. Bush administration into today. A fascinating and surprising interview with a man who has the unique perspective of being first a participant and ultimately a scholar on the Nixon presidency.
From Dean’s thoughts on Ted Cruz’ attacks on his enemies to Dean’s insights into Richard Nixon’s mental state, here’s a selection of some of his best quotes from the podcast:
  • “I look at someone like Ted Cruz who is running for president, who’s trying to be independent, very conservative. He’s made enemies of just about everybody he can in the United States Senate. When Cruz is through and loses his bid for the presidency and has to go back to the Senate, he’s not going to be able to get anything done.”
  • “I agree that there is a need to protect a president from leaking. I just don’t think you have to send people to jail to enforce it.”
  • “Post-Watergate, government had been relatively transparent, but when Bush and Cheney came in, they closed the blinds, pulled the drapes, slammed the doors, went to the basement and started a whole new operation in deep secret, and people weren’t aware of what was going on.”
  • “I don’t think Richard Nixon in his darkest mood would have authorized torture.”
  • “While Nixon was abusive in the exercise of his presidential powers, he didn’t go as far as it’s gone in recent years.”
  • “There’s a huge difference between the parties. They have never been more polarized. There is no room for any dissent within the Republican ranks.”
  • “That’s just to me always been a mind-blowing attitude to even get into government if you want to destroy the government and try to obstruct the government. I think it is unconstitutional, I think there may be criminal implications in what these people are doing, and no one’s ever dug out the fact that this is a near treasonous mentality this party has at its core.”
  • “There’s an element in the Republican party today that doesn’t want the government to work. That’s pretty frightening.”
—Posted by Roisin Davis


9 comments:

  1. "There’s an element in the Republican party today that doesn’t want the government to work. That’s pretty frightening.”

    Some of us older assholes think, actually, it is more frightening to think of the government actually working.

    But then we are the older types, have read about the French Revolution, have had lawyers as dads, and have read about the Soviet Union, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We also remember the 'Sayings of Our Fathers' ---

      "The Government That Governs Least Is Best"

      In this context, see the meditations of Robert Jordan on the Spanish Civil War.

      Also see:

      The Sayings of Quirk

      "Leave me the fuck alone"

      Delete
  2. Some of us older assholes think, actually, it is more frightening to think of the government actually working. ??

    You do represent the core of the Republican Party


    John Kasich is the only Republican candidate that makes any sense.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am proud to represent the "Core", and take it as a high compliment.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. You would Bob. You remind me of the person carrying the placard that read "Keep government hands off of medicare."

      Delete
    4. .

      The Idaho Spud, a GOP groupie hepped up on Republican Joy Juice that is way past its 'use by date'.

      .

      Delete