We've become something grotesque

further to the recent INVESTIGATIONS posts, here's froomkin liveonline:

Baltimore, Md.: Does Mr. Meyerson have it right in his column today when he says that Karl Rove's big plan for beating the Democrats is to scare the Republicans about investigations?

Dan Froomkin: That's certainly part of it. (Here's the Harold Meyerson column in question.)

See for instance Jim Rutenberg in the New York Times on Monday.

And I see Howard Fineman is out with a new column on Newsweek.com in which he writes: "This fall's election season is going to make the past three look like episodes of 'Barney.'...

"The way I read the recent moves of Karl Rove & Co., they are preparing to wage war the only way open to them: not by touting George Bush, Lord knows, but by waging a national campaign to paint a nightmarish picture of what a Democratic Congress would look like, and to portray that possibility, in turn, as prelude to the even more nightmarish scenario: the return of a Democrat (Hillary) to the White House."

Of course, this presupposes Rove doesn't get indicted.

along the same lines, here's oldschool in the comments

Interesting that the idea of forsaking impeachment as a goal is one that is gaining traction. The extremity of my rage demands punishment in its most severe form - but is that really what is best? I can see both sides (the curse of the lawyer, ack!). The culpability of this administration, both criminally and morally, begs for appropriate retribution. To hell with hanging at the Hague - after impeachment and criminal trials (yeah we still have those) just sentence them all with what they've sentenced so many others to - indefinite detention with attendant it's-not-really-torture.

BUT, it is undoubtedly true that an impeachment procedure would deepen the already unprecedented divide in the citizenry, and would indeed suck the energy out of a country and Congress with an already gargantuan job ahead - fixing the universal disaster that is (hopefully *was*) George Bush, and what he and his ilk have done. Make no mistake though, the Bush base is fanatical - possibly civil war fanatical.

I've seen floated the idea of a process akin to that which was done in S Africa - what were they called - Truth and Reconciliation hearings(?) No help there that I see - same hearings, same questions, same fight.

So - what is best? It is, I believe, imperative for the spiritual health of the nation that Bush-ism be renounced in the most emphatic manner. Further, I see a further imperative in the complete airing of each and every sneaky, foul, fascist trick these fuckers think they've pulled off. Joe and Jane Six-Pack must be made aware of what can (and did) happen when citizens don't pay attention. Part of patriotism is paying attention. Complacency is complicity. For god's sake, how can this nation look at its collective face in the mirror while torture is still being practiced in our name?

But, perhaps most importantly, for the U.S. to once again become a respected world-citizen, we must face our transgressions, apologize, and back it up by showing BushCo to be our Black Past. Again, here, retribution must be meted out, highlighted, and broadcast to the furthest corners. As pissed off as I am with this country, it is a truism that the world needs a healthy United States, and all that the U.S. once stood for. We've become something grotesque; we must publicly purge the filth. I'd love to feel proud of my country again.

I'm not one for retribution for the sake of it, but yep, we need to:
a) find a way to cleanse the planet of these people
b) make sure they never come back

(update: glenn has more)