Mephisto,
Re: Do you seriously believe that there are Congressional members whose fear of catching anthrax is so intense that it prevents them from doing their job?
Yes, absolutely. Not only do they fear anthrax, they also must fear the Cliff Baxter technique and a lot else. The Administration is clearly set on a course of intimidation of the legislators. This is nothing new, of course. Julius Caesar did the same thing, as did the Nazis in the 1930's when they were consolidating their power.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D. OH), one of my heroes, stated recently that the intimidation is palpable, as Congressmen are forced to maneuver through concrete barriers and past National Guard troops as they approach the Capital Building.
You may recall the incident early in the Clinton Administration when Bill Clinton decided to end a bit of obeisance that Ron Reagan had initiated. Reagan started the habit of saluting his Marine Guard contingent whenever he entered or exited Marine One, the Presidential helicopter. Clinton decided that he didn't like the symbolism of this and stopped the practice. The Marine Corps brass raised a huge stink about this, besmirching and impugning Clinton's purported lack of "patriotism". Clinton backed down and re-commenced to salute the guard. Who is the boss here? Who is running this country? More correctly stated, who is running this country into the dirt with mad militarist machinations?
Bush thought the salute was a swell symbol of who is in charge. I beg to differ, as you well know.
Peace Now, Ray |
