Well said BHSC,

I suppose I'm feeling a sense of urgency concerning the swaying of the public discourse.   History shows us that the masses do not stay in this glassy-eyed, stunned state for an extended period. This sort of social dislocation - if it does not abate within a short time - has always led to some level of civil disorder.

My fear is that the American people still have a headful of rightist rhetoric, and that extended suffering would open the door to dangerous demagoguery. I can not disagree with some Reagan-legacy commentators who confidently state that Americans are still basically right-of-center.

I am hopeful that Obama's daily sensible speaking is having an impact that will lessen the risk of a reactionary mobilization, but my general feeling is that the public sentiment has not settled. I have been warily watching the reactionaries' media efforts and waiting for History to emerge once again.