Gene Lyons: Only two-party government offers oversight

Gene Lyons

Posted on Wednesday, November 1, 2006

So vast and comprehensive are the failures of the Bush White House, it’s admittedly hard to look away. Watching the president campaign in Indiana recently evoked the kind of dread fascination that makes people stare at highway accidents. Has Bushism degenerated into a cult ? It’s definitely starting to look like one. “When it came time [to vote ] on whether to allow the Central Intelligence Agency to continue to detain and question terrorists,” Bush claimed, “almost 80 percent of the House Democrats voted against it.” “ Just say no, ” chanted the infatuated crowd on cue. No such vote was ever taken. Has this president no honor ? Not a particle. Nobody’s against capturing and questioning terrorists. Absolutely nobody. Many Americans do oppose torture because it’s barbaric, useless and spawns everlasting hatred. So naturally, Bush thinks it makes him look “tough.”