“First they came for the terrorists but I wasn’t a terrorist so I stayed silent and went about my business. Then they came for those suspected of terrorism, but I certainly wasn’t a suspect so I stayed silent and went about my business. Then they came for those who defended those who were suspected of terrorism, but I wasn’t defending such people so I stayed silent and went about my business. Then, one day, they came and began to ‘suspect’ me, so I stayed very, very silent and went about my business.”

On Tues., Sept. 11, the nation will be hearing more lies and disinformation from the Administration concerning the Iraq War. At the same time, underneath those lies, a steady drumbeat will start building for the expansion of the war into Iran. We are living in a pre-Nazi nation, ruled by a cabal of treasonous revolutionaries that have hollowed out America, and betrayed the dream upon which it was built.

I keep wondering what has happened to the American character? Why have we become so numb to the erosion of civil rights? Who has enveloped us in this trance that has blinded us to the slaughter of 600,000 Iraqis and the killing of over 4,000 American troops? What has caused us to overlook the wasting of over 450 billion dollars even as our national economy teeters on the edge of bankruptcy? What has dulled us to the horror of torture as a political weapon? What compels us to continue business as usual when the Nazis in power continue to escalate their war rhetoric toward yet another country in their ever-ongoing crusade against Islam?

Here in Seattle a small remnant will parade through the streets, stopping at various media centers mourning the death of our Constitution and therefore our nation, a casualty of Corporate-media lies that have masked the centralization of power in the Executive branch of government. Eventually this parade will make its way down to the public square at Westlake Center, where information will be handed out to those who work and shop and live downtown. Some will pause and read, perhaps engage in conversation, maybe even join the parade. But most will pass on, moving to their next destination, too busy to consider the growing threat of tyranny in our country.

I believe the master behind the manipulation is fear. We have become afraid. We have become moral and political public cowards afraid to poke our heads out of our shell. We are afraid to risk any of our privileges, and are simply trying to hang on before the inevitable deluge. We are like children of the filthy rich, raised with personal expectations while assuming no social responsibility. Indeed, in this we reflect our Hitler, George W. Bush.

Rev. Rich Lang is Pastor of Trinity United Methodist Church and can be heard on Living Faith Now radio (www.livingfaithnow.org). He can be contacted at oddrev@yahoo.com.