Is George Bush Now Reading Mein Kampf?

by James Glaser
June 14, 2002

In 1933 Adolf Hilter did not have absolute power because he was bound by his country's democratic constitution. So Adolf worked on that. One of his first steps was to push for a decree that would allow him to put domestic laws and foreign treaties into effect without approval of the Reichstag (the German Congress). This was called the "Enabling Act"

George Bush, not quite as bold as Adolf, has been trying to achieve that same power. "Fast Track" in trade agreements is just a small step. The Patriot Act, all ready to go days after the attack on the World Trade Center was another.

Hilter used a arson fire at the Reichstag to grab more control and many say George Bush is treating September 11 the same. I don't think so, but believe that George is still looking for that one act that will allow him to really take charge. George wasn't ready in September, but now he sees that total world dominance is within his grasp.

Much like WW 2 Germany, America can now do what ever it wants with its "enemies" Take the example of Nabil Almarabh, a Boston cab driver who is now charged with entering the US illegally. This "Enemy of the State" was held from September 18 to May 22 without seeing a judge and was held in solitary confinement. Just like a Nazi war movie, only this is 2002 and America.

OK, the guy wasn't a American citizen so we could treat him like shit, but how about Jose Padilla. A New York born American that was arrested May 8th and paraded out by George this week for plotting to explode a "radiological dispersion device", maybe in Washington. I say maybe in Washington because no one knows if that was where or what he was going to do. He had no bomb, no materials for a bomb, and nobody even believes this former supposed "gang banger" even has the smarts to explode anything.

However the President has branded this American citizen as a "enemy combatant" and our government has locked him up for a unlimited period of time on the word of the President. None of this "innocent until proven guilty" when George brands a citizen as a "Enemy of the State."

The fact that George announced this CAPTURE!! Of a "known terrorist" during Congresses investigation of the CIA and FBI was no coincidence, but a bold face lie. Padilla was really captured or arrested getting off a plane in Chicago five weeks ago, but Capture really does sound so much better. George held this guy in limbo, until the needed a head line to smother another story that made him look bad. How many others are held the same way?

"If anyone reproaches me and asks why I did not resort to the regular courts of justice, then all I can say is this: In this hour I was responsible for the fate of the German people and thereby I became the supreme judge of the German people." Adolf Hilter 1934

Is this what George Bush feels is a justifiable reason to detain American citizens with no charges, no lawyers, and no hope for justice? Does George Bush now believe that only he can save America and all must bow to his will?

"I ask Congress to join me in creating a single, permanent department with an overriding and urgent mission: securing the homeland of America, and protecting the American people," President George W. Bush 2002

"America is leading the civilized world in a titanic struggle against terror" President George W. Bush 2002. George also warns, "that thousands of trained killers are plotting to attack us"

Just about every week George Bush or one of his minions are telling America about another threat to our freedom. Just like in 1933 with Adolf Hilter's frustration over the German Constitution, America's Constitution is a real frustration to George Bush. Our Constitution is only as strong as we Americans make it.

If we continue to allow President Bush to change our rights to how He feels they should be, we are lost. Unending punishment for aliens like that cab driver in Boston and those that will be kept Forever in Cuba are one thing, but to now take away the most basic rights of an American born citizen in the case of Jose Padilla is going way too far. Guilty or not makes no difference, without right to council, presumption of innocence, and the right to Habeas Corpus every American Citizen has lost his freedom. America now has its own Gestapo headed by our own President.


BACK to the Politics Columns.