An interesting piece on the President’s attempts to dominate by repeated admonitions of our helplessness, at Factesque:

Only a Traitor Wouldn’t Trust Dear Leader to Keep Us Safe. You’re Not a Traitor Are You?:

Bush is a master at inducing learned helplessness in the electorate. He
uses pessimistic language that creates fear and disables people from
feeling they can solve their problems. In his September 20, 2001, speech
to Congress on the 9/11 attacks, he chose to increase people’s sense of
vulnerability: “Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy
campaign, unlike any other we have ever seen…. I ask you to live your
lives, and hug your children. I know many citizens have fears
tonight…. Be calm and resolute, even in the face of a continuing
threat.” (Subsequent terror alerts by the FBI, CIA and Department of
Homeland Security have maintained and expanded this fear of unknown,
sinister enemies.)