Exposing the Politics of Fear

Keith Olbermann has another special commentary. Sometimes all it takes is one brave journalist to expose the public secret. Fear is being used by the administration for craven political ends.

This administration has derived benefit and power from terrorizing the very people it claims to be protecting from terror. It may be the oldest trick in the political book: scare people into believing they are in danger and only you can save them.

The hope is that now that people are talking openly about the cynicism of such a strategy that it will be rendered ineffective. More journalists will begin to pay attention to the political manipulation of fear as a cover for authoritarian incompetence and corruption.

As Josh Marshall expressed it, the President is playing a confidence game. The only question left is whether or not Bush will be held responsible for his fraud before he leaves office.