Vision? Nary!

Freedom of Speech?

That’s for terrorists.

The United States (53rd) has fallen nine places since last year, after being in 17th position in the first year of the Index, in 2002. Relations between the media and the Bush administration sharply deteriorated after the president used the pretext of “national security” to regard as suspicious any journalist who questioned his “war on terrorism.” The zeal of federal courts which, unlike those in 33 US states, refuse to recognize the media’s right not to reveal its sources, even threatens journalists whose investigations have no connection at all with terrorism.

U.S. shares 53rd place with Botswana, Croatia, Tonga.
But how long can this accidental coalition last? The U.S. these days hates to share. The government will have to limit freedom further. Even if they didn’t want to anyway, they would; if for no other reason than to spite Tonga. In fact, the U.S. may bomb Tonga, if they can figure out where it is.