(Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan - At every turn, some new loose cannon)

We talk about how unhinged and fear-driven the Republican "base" is lately, but seem to forget there is a long history that goes with it. One that goes back for decades if not longer.

I almost forgot how freely and how often President Reagan invoked the Evil Empire theme and played on fears of how Russia was superior militarily to the U.S. - how we were unprepared for a nuclear threat and how a threat could come at any time.

It was the fear then and it's the fear now. Fear, it would seem, is the driving force behind the Right wing agenda and the mainstream media.

So when Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan was interviewed on Face The Nation in April 4, 1982, he displayed a goodly amount of disbelief over the lack of responsibility Reagan was showing by proclaiming the U.S. no match for a Soviet showdown during a recent Press Conference.

Daniel Patrick Moynihan: “There is a leakage of reality in this Administration. The Commander-in-Chief, what Commander-In-Chief has ever told the world that the United States is inferior to an adversary? And why would anyone say that when it isn’t even so?”

It's interesting to note that CBS Correspondent George Herman attempts to cover over the situation by claiming Reagan "wasn't really serious in his estimation" of his statement - the Mainstream Media, as always are more than willing to join in the reality leak.

. . and speaking of joining . .