What goes through the minds of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, etc. when they find time in their day to reflect on their importance and power? Do these conceited men gloat in the shaving mirror thinking about their power? Do they admire their image on the television studio monitors? Do they have any doubts that they and their actions are wrong?
On and on we war-haters rant about Bush's ignorance and smirk knowing full well that he, like Reagan, were manufactured for their role. We can ignore him. He is scripted. He dreams of the parties to come, his library and his history book picture. The former high school cheerleader has made it onto the playing field, by himself, he imagines, and hopes to yet best his father.
The minds of Ashcroft, Cheney and Rumsfeld are much more opaque. They are not likeable minds. We can almost see them squirm as they plot. They are not peaceful minds. They have been at work for decades, day and night. Doing what? As reported by the press, attending to the details of campaigning for Congress, holding public office and running businesses. Unseen by the press, while these men sit on the edge of the bed at night, or when they stand in the shower in the morning, these minds visit those places from which their motivation comes. These are places of fear from which they would run or places of joy to which they would return.
It is difficult to imagine what would spur men to give their waking hours to a relentless pursuit of power only to use that power to damage themselves and their nation.
Perhaps that is the point.
Thank you for your comments on my blog (Ben Kent's House of Cheese). I guess there are times that I would agree with your sentiments. There are many days that I wake up and think 'what am I doing here?'. I'm not sure I ever really wanted to live in America, but life has brought me here, so I take it as it comes.
Incidentally, just out of interest, are you the person who shows up on my counter stats who visits from 'Hennepin County'
Posted by: benkent | June 05, 2004 at 06:17 PM