LEONARD PITTS, JR.: If youre not appalled by Comeys firing, youre not paying attention

[babylonsister]

http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/leonard-pitts-jr/article149852344.html

If you’re not appalled by Comey’s firing, you’re not paying attention

BY LEONARD PITTS, JR.

snip//

The stench that rises from this is unmistakable, the reek of power abused and justice obstructed. It strongly suggests that we are governed by an ongoing criminal conspiracy. The situation needs, demands and requires an independent investigation.

We can’t rely on the Justice Department for that, given that its leadership is complicit in Comey’s firing. That leaves Congress, which is why the anodyne Republican reactions are so worrisome. Indeed, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has flatly ruled out a special prosecutor.

Shame on all of us if that is the last word here. We are supposed to be Americans first, before we are Rs or Ds. That’s a principle from which many Republicans have turned in recent years, repeatedly choosing themselves and their wealthy patrons over the greater American good. The healthcare debacle is but the latest glaring example.

But GOP leaders must stand up for the country this time or risk losing it. If they don’t get that, the rest of us — liberal, conservative, American — must make unceasing noise and apply unstinting pressure until the party that launched eight investigations of Benghazi decides to treat this at least as seriously.

If you are not appalled, you are not paying attention. The Trump administration constitutes a clear and present danger to American democracy.

We need a special prosecutor and we need one now.

[PsychoBabble]

1. That GOP isn't says all you need to know

If you are not appalled, you are not paying attention. The Trump administration constitutes a clear and present danger to American democracy.

He always DID constitute a clear and present danger. Conservative blindness to his innate character flaws are chilling to me. We all need "radar" for bad stuff, bad people. When you lose this, you are up for grabs in a cruel world.

Conservative blindness put Democracy up for grabs in a cruel world.

Perhaps worse, many of them considered his obvious flaws a feature, not a bug. Scary.

Dems didn't help. We ignored the Conservative wealthy building infrastructure ... ALEC, gerrymandering at state level, Koch donations to Universities, radio station consolidation, etc etc ... in a way that we did not match. Arrogance that our "better message" should have been obvious to everyone? Not sure, but we were outflanked in a structural way over decades, and we are now paying the price.

Our recovery cannot be JUST about 2018, anti-Trump. We need the same sustained takeover of Communication/Influence infrastructure ... supported by our rich donors, but FOR the common good.

[GoCubsGo]

2. Or, you care more about your party "winning" than you do your own country.

Which makes you unAmerican in my book.