Fragging is shooting one's own military commander. Typically it is prompted by discontent with his or her leadership, which is viewed as a threat to the safety of those under direct command. Sometimes fragging can be a reaction to overall leadership or the conduct of a war, even an objection to the war itself. But it can also be inspired purely by hatred of an individual who is despised for personal reasons.
American politics conducts its own fragging. It shoots its leaders for political reasons. Usually that is tantamount to just wanting to win. It is the political assassination of a capable person by the opposing party or by the corporate media to eliminate a troublesome foe.
Dennis Kucinich is the latest victim. The gerrymandering of his district in Ohio has put his long and admirable career of outstanding public service in jeopardy. He will not be up for election to the next Congress.We have seen this type of hatchet job before. It takes many forms. The controlling party in a particular political arena manipulates the rules to its advantage. Honor and fairness, even the health of our democratic system, play no role. It's cage fighting. May the most vicious man win.
The media plays a big role. Al Gore was wooden. Ralph Nader a cranky old man. Ross Perot was ugly. Because these men were not Hollywood cool and beautiful, they were not fit for public office.
Under the current system, our best, most creative, most talented politicians can be sidelined and marginalized, eliminated altogether. That's the way it works now. Apparently it's the American way.
If you don't like what someone is saying or the way he looks . . . blam!
And we wonder why America is in decline?
Or maybe we don't.
[ This originated at the author's personal web site . . . http://jdrachel.com ]
