After Sen. Tom Daschle remarked, referring to expansion of the campaign against terror, that: “Before we make commitments in resources, I think we need to have a clearer understanding of what the direction will be,” Senate Republican Leader Trent Lott promptly issued a statement rebuking Mr. Daschle, saying: “How dare Senator Daschle criticize President Bush while we are fighting our war on terrorism, especially when we have troops in the field? He should not be trying to divide our country while we are united.”

Lott’s comeback would be laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous: We are at “war,” so Americans need to shut up, sit down and just sign the checks? Not in a democracy, Mr. Lott. In a remark even more revealing of the intellectual quotient defining Republican policy, House Republican whip Tom DeLay of Texas,issued a one-word response to Mr. Daschle’s comments: “Disgusting.”

One can hardly disagree. Yes, there’s something “Disgusting” here. Perhaps Mr. Lott isn’t aware that during WWII Republicans fought an aggressive and highly critical campaign to unseat President Roosevelt? And they were right to do it; it’s called “democracy.” And perhaps the Republican representative from Texas has forgotten that “the salvation of the state lies in watchfulness of the citizen?” Â Yes, another way to say “democracy.” Disgusting is the word, but it doesn’t describe congressional members who want to know where we are being led in this “war”; it describes the Republican leaders who would dare to claim we don’t have the right to ask that question.

In a democracy our “unity” is a unity of purpose: To keep our children, loved ones and citizens safe. Our unity needn’t  and if we are to proceed in an intelligent and considered way  shouldn’t be a unity of mindless submission to a sacrosanct, unspoken plan of unspecified violence and scope.

Keep your ears perked up for more of this “unity equals silence” nonsense. When you hear it, you’ll know you are listening to someone who has no use for democracy.

Lee Basham,

Lawrence