So Liberalism is once again popular. So says Bryan Zepp Jamieson in his excellent article "Liberalism
Resurgent" http://www.bartcop.com/709kang.htm. His tribute to the late, great Steve Kangas is inspiring.

   I am not writing to disagree with him. It's very apparent (to everyone but the Right Wing mob that now
controls Washington and most of the mainstream Media) that the stink that emanated from Florida last
December has finally, inexorably wafted upwind. The Smirk has now been revealed as a genuine moron
with no comprehension of reality. Suddenly, even right of center pundits are caging their bets and taking a
critical view of Dubya's Residency. Witness NY Time's Frank Bruni's withering assessment of Dubya's
ability to grasp the implications of his job. In his NY Time's op-ed piece on Monday he blasts the resident
for being distant and lazy.

   Even more incredible, Chris Matthews himself took the fortunate son out behind the woodshed.
On last night's Hardball he ran a quote of Bruni's :

   "If his helicopter rides to and from Camp David yielded frequent flier miles, he might be close to a free
round-trip domestic ticket by now. If his flights to and from his ranch in Crawford, Tex., were added to the
equation, he might be nearing business class to Europe."

   He stammered and whined. Aw, did poor little Chris get let down by his good buddy? The guy he has
stated that he likes and wants to succeed, just to stick it to those "elitists". Like George "Johnny Walker"
Bush is a regular guy who's actually had to work a day in his life. What a joke.  I was left to laughing my
ass off at Matthew's all too visible discomfort criticizing the guy he so obviously has been rooting for. I can
just imagine the hate mail that right now is streaming from the keyboards of Freepers to the "Hardball"
letter desk. Ha Ha.

   Then, this.

 By Thomas B. Edsall
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, July 8, 2001; Page A05

"Republican strategists, examining new census data and recent election returns, are warning that the
electorate is moving steadily to the left and that the party needs to adopt new rhetoric and tactics to attract
the growing number of working women, Hispanics, secular voters and socially tolerant, well-educated
professionals."

  How do you think this is playing down in Massabama or on the campus of Bob Jones University? That
distant, rumbling sound you hear is a veritable plethora of  White Wing Supremacists rushing down to their
local Army Surplus stores.

   One can imagine the distorted rationale now serpentining it's way through the sick minds of the Tom
DeLays and the Trent Lott's of the world. "By God, it took us 145 years to reclaim the Confederacy, we're
not giving up without a fight!"

    And that brings me back to Mr. Jamieson. He ends his article with this note.

"We’re moving to the left, folks.  We’re going to take America back,
and make it a free country once again, where no-one need live in fear of
multinational corporations or weird foreign religious demagogues.

 Stop and savor that for a minute.  Then get back to work.
There’s much yet to be done!"

   Indeed, savor it for a minute. Yes, do get back to work. But be ready. Be ready for the fight of your life.
The Right Wing Zealots will not quietly leave the field. Right Wing Zealots never do. They'll follow the lead of
previous Paragons of Fascist Virtue. They will say anything, do anything, corrupt anyone and everyone
they can. All to hold onto power. The power that lines their pockets and hides their skeletons. The recent
appointment of death squad apologist Elliot Abrams to the NSC's office for democracy, human rights and
international relations proves that point perfectly.

   Their is much to be hopeful for. The Florida Backlash may well bring sweet fruit for Progressives and
Moderates. The rotting stench of the Extreme's Court selection of a complete idiot as President may well
be the vehicle in which the Right Wing drives off the cliff.

   However, gentle reader, beware the ability of the Hate Mongerers and their heavily armed Minions. 'Tis
best to make preparations with an awareness of the dangers ahead. Deign not to give in to Complacency.
Whatever you do, spare not the hammer.

   As for me, I'm breaking out the Sledge.