Blogger Laryngitis

I lost my voice. Not my opinions mind you, but the drive to share them online. Somewhere between the revelation of domestic spying and the UAE ports deal, exasperation with the whole climate of stupidity in this country rendered me speechless. I began avoiding the internets and traditional news less I hear something else that might shake my already tenuous grasp on reality inalterably. Then from left field came the news that the New York Theater Workshop had postponed (read cancelled) the run of the play, My Name is Rachel Corrie, and viola, it all came rushing back. Verbal virulent bird flu, and I hope it infects you all.

When last I left you, our regent prince had chosen to ignore the prevailing laws of this land and eavesdrop on American citizens without benefit of warrant, claiming Devine Right of Kings, or some other such nonsense. In the meantime, the Democratic response has been fear and loathing to hold the administration accountable. Russ Feingold tried to introduce a censure measure, only to be betrayed by a majority of his party brethren. While censure may not have been the most effective remedy available, in loo of the congressional oversite demanded by the situation, it was a start.

The UAE ports deal started as another case of administration overslight, too much sucking up to corporate demands, not enough insite into possible catastrophic conclusions. The leftblogosphere raised a ruckus, and next thing you know, it is the cause celebre for every GOP idiot seeking reelection. Was the deal a real problem? We will never know, because instead of actually investigating the issue, it was given away to Halliburton to deal with, same as Iraqi reconstruction has been.

Has a pattern started to develop? Is the administration of the idiot prince to blame for the problems we are facing today, or is it the invisible shadow of the democratic minority, that runs and hides from controversy instead of facing it head on. For five plus years I have blamed the former, but in my quiet time, reflection has shown it to be the latter bunch of weasels. How do we expect to win back the country if we are too scared to take a stand on something we believe in?

Rachel Carrie was an American protester for Palestinian rights when she was killed, run down by an Israeli bulldozer in 2003. Her words and poems were turned into a play, well received by the London theatre crowd last year. Rather that being a political event, My Name is Rachel Corrie, was a vocal memoir of an idealistic American girl who wanted to effect a change in the world. The New York Theater Workshop first planned to run the show, then cowtowed to pro-Israel pressure and cancelled the play. Rather than engage in the discussion of the conflict between Israel and the Muslim world, they chose to ignore it. When our government chooses to silence debate, we know there is a problem. When the artistic community falls to political pressure, the problem is growing out of control.

My silence was not generated by the actions of an administration I have grown to hate, but by the inaction of a party I increasingly fear to follow. While our government has trampled on our first and fourth amendment rights, the very people entrusted to fight their actions have allowed the intrusion, and the most vocal segments of the left are following suit.The greatest threat to democracy is not terrorism, but silence. I'm glad I have my voice back and plan to use it. I hope you do the same.