There are many days and many ways in which America seems truly a mere spectator in its own demise. Our feckless government hides when it should act, and acts when it should hide. Indeed, it is an iron rule of bureaucracy that displays of impotence in things important seem to require displays of vigor in matters of no moment.

This piece by Mark Steyn illustrates the phenomenon as well as any other I have read, using current events to set the context: http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/kelley-378593-intelligence-director.html