Get Ready for Obama Derangement Syndrome

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Something's coming, and liberals, progressives and Democrats had better be ready for it. There isn't a catchy name for it, like "Bush Derangement Syndrome," or BDS, as conservatives have branded left-leaning foes of George W. Bush. It didn't have a name back in the 90s, when every little nit was picked regarding the Clintons. But it is coming.

Already, there are sites devoted to impeaching President-elect Barack Obama. And he won't even take office for two months! Yes, Obama Derangement Syndrome is coming, and arguably already here. It will do liberals no good to point out the whoppingly huge impeachable offenses of George W. Bush. We will have "But, but, but Bush. . .!" thrown back at us, just as assuredly as we threw "But, but, but Clinton. . .!" at them from 2000-2008. There is a distinct difference of course.

For all of the time and millions of dollars thrown at Bill Clinton in the search for an impeachable offense, the only thing they came up with was--say it with me--lying about a blow job. This was in a case that was eventually thrown out of court for lack of merit. So, the big dummy lied about something that was irrelevant to a case that was dismissed. Great. I'm still flat-out amazed that otherwise rational people still hold this out to be a valid reason to tie up a president for two years. But they did it.

And in doing it, they created a whole cottage industry. If not for the Clenis, we may never have seen people like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Ann Coulter and entities like FOX "News" in the mainstream. Opinions from these folks used to be fringe elements, far-right wingers. But they noodled their way out of the fringe, and used the Bush years to stay in the mainstream. But now, these folks are back to being the loyal opposition. They will not want to be relegated to the shadows again, as it is clear that they love the limelight. It is going to get ugly.

In the days leading up to Obama's inauguration, and for how ever many years follow, these folks, and likely some new ones born in the "resistance," will be after Obama every minute. They will turn over every rock, and probably invent a few to turn over. If you thought flag pins and patriotism issues were stupid, you ain't seen nothin' yet. By all rights, no president ought to be impeachable now, given what has been overlooked about Bush. And we liberals will be tempted to point out the very real transgressions of the Bush Administration as counterpoint to idiotic faux outrages of the right. But it won't work.

Or at least, it won't if we aren't ready. The problem with trying to argue against Bush is that the list is so long, the crimes and misdemeanors so numerous, that our heads are too full. We very likely would sputter I "But, but, but Bush. . .!" And the problem is, even if we don't bring up the Bush record, we'll probably be asked "OK, what did Bush ever do that was so bad?" Ugh. . .

So here's a little something that can maybe help you out. You might not win an argument, but at least you won't be furiously sputtering like a lawn sprinkler.

[Excerpt]

Bush's Impeachable Offenses, Part 1

1. Fall 1999 - Before his presidency, Bush reveals his interest in invading Iraq.

2. Early 2001 - The CIA informs the Bush administration that the "aluminum tubes," later to be used as evidence of a nuclear WMD program, were probably not intended for that purpose.

3. March, 2002- Despite his later claims that he had not yet decided to attack Iraq, Bush indicates his intention to do so.

There's much (much) more at: OhmyNews