The urge to save humanity is almost always only a false face for the urge to rule it.

- H.L. Mencken

....................

From France, Obama Forces His Robot To Sign Patriot Act Renewal‎

Obama, attending an international summit in France, awoke early Friday to review and approve the bill, directing that it be signed in Washington by automatic pen before the provisions expired at midnight Thursday Eastern time.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-patriot-act-20110527,0,7749454.story

http://wonkette.com/446534/from-france-obama-forces-his-robot-to-sign-patriot-act-renewal

.....................
AMEN
You know, I just really find it hard to disagree with Chris Hedges.
............................

SINCE THE END of World War I, the United States has devoted staggering resources and money to battling real and imagined enemies. It turned the engines of the state over to a massive war and security apparatus. These battles, which have created an Orwellian state illusion of permanent war, neutered all opposition to corporate power and the tepid reforms of the liberal class. The liberal class, fearful of being branded as soft or unpatriotic in the Cold War, willingly joined the state's campaign to crush popular and radical movements in the name of national security. Permanent war is the most effective mechanism used by the power elite to stifle reform and muzzle dissent. A state of war demands greater secrecy, constant vigilance and suspicion. It generates distrust and fear, especially in culture and art, often reducing it to silence or nationalist cant. It degrades and corrupts education and the media. It wrecks the economy. It nullifies public opinion. And it forces liberal institutions to sacrifice their beliefs for a holy crusade, a kind of surrogate religion, whether it is against the Hun, the Bolshevik, the fascist, the communist, or the Islamic terrorist. The liberal class in a state of permanent war is rendered impotent.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/49003502/Death-of-the-Liberal-Class-Chris-Hedges

not criticize the government.