Can we now pick the start of it all? When did we (the US) wake up?

I have thought long and hard about why Shrub is at 35% and falling, and why it took so long. I have wondered just why they were able to get away with so much without a scratch, even when their policies were harming Joe Six-pack and everyone else. I could not understand why people bought the Saddam = Al Qaida denials, and even after the WMD fiascos were reported, people STILL supported Bush.

Here is why I think it took so long, and when things all changed.

Partly, it is human nature. When we are under attack, real or perceived, we have a habit of clinging to existing structure. The MSM was afraid of seeming traitorous, so they mostly kept quiet about the lies and deceit. Bush and his crew carefully plucked that tune, raising the fear level like a conductor of the best orchestra in the country. And so it went.

Until a brave woman stood up and said, "I am not going to take this anymore. This is just wrong." And she sat down. And camped out. and Woke us up. Her bravery showed the rest of America just how far we had been led down the path. It woke us up to the idea that we can say no, and even "Hell, no." without being traitors or unpatriotic. She allowed us to be American, once again.

And because of your actions, I have nothing more than this to say,

"Ms. Sheehan, we owe you so much for your efforts. You, more than anyone else, symbolize what is right with this country, and even more importantly, you reminded us that it is OK to seek what is right, no, to DEMAND IT. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart."

that he thinks the Schiavo case was the beginning of the end

The Schiavo case hit too close to home for a lot of people who might otherwise have just gone along with the repub agenda. It was the first time I'd ever seem my grandmother livid with political indignation, having recently gone through the death of her husband who spent time on life support.

But Cindy Sheehan certainly gave the rolling ball a big kick.

I think Hurricane Katrina is what really did it. It was the first time the majority of Americans saw this presidency let the people down and then tried to spin it.

It's one thing to have thousands die in Iraq because the admin has been able to keep that under wraps for the most part but there was no denying or turning a blind eye to what happened (or didn't happen) on our own soil.

I could be wrong though...

But, at those points, America still forgave 1400 US dead, and no WMD. It still refused to look at the real source of the problems.

Both of you make great points, though.

to meet with a dead hero's mom.

I have no faith in many of my fellow Americans. It wasn't until Katrina affected them directly that they cared at all. If gas is down to $2.00-$2.25 next fall, will they remember when they go to the polls?

a good tipping point.

Or, more accurately, Bush's brush off of her was. Everyone except the most hardcore koolaid drinkers felt it was cowardly to avoid her.

Sheehan came next, then Katrina, then the rest...

In and of themselves the country would have ignored or justified or excused the fearmongering, the Schiavo case, the war of false pretenses, the Plame affair, the Sheehan protests, the high cost of gasoline, the criminal ineptitude of FEMA, the coming increase in nautral gas heating costs, etc.

There are too many people in this country who do not understand themselves to be directly harmed by the policies of the * administration. And sometimes when you are not being hurt you have to see your hope and vision of the future shattered before you have a sense of betrayal or outrage. Sadly, there are many heroes who bore the cost of this slow awakening.

The weight of the war and the silencing of the dissent finally went over the top when Cindy with her incredible clear voice asked: "What Noble Cause?"

Then "Katrina" just blew it all open. Showing that Bush and the rest lie and care nothing about anyone neither the people of this country or the Iraqi's they tout they are bringing "freedom and democracy" to.

I think Cindy soften them up with blows to the stomach and "Katrina" went to their balls.