Back in 2003, when everyone on cable news was swooning over the Iraq War's inevitable first-stage success, MSNBC in general, and Matthews in particular, were the only skeptics on the scene. They were the only network to question whether Americans should be the ones tearing down (rhetorically and actually) Saddam's statue. "Where are the Iraqi Washingtons and Jeffersons?" Matthews would ask. Can true "freedom" or "Democracy" ever be foisted on a populace so willingly oppressed and beaten down as the Iraqis? Shouldn't they have to rise up themselves in order to foment real change? Isn't the fact that they hadn't (despite all of the well-documented atrocities, US-enabled or not) telling of how much value the place in their own "freedom" and how much effort they would put into making it permanent?

These tough questions were only being asked by pundits on MSNBC, while assholes like Wolf Blitzer and Geraldo Rivera drove around Iraq in Hummers with visible boners. Matthews went on record during the run-up to the Iraq invasion as being against it. We needed to finish our work in Afghanistan first, he said. He was not convinced of the existence of the oft-cited WMDs. He saw the evidence trumpeted by the Bushies, and still had reservations. I will always respect him for that, at least.

True, Matthews has always had a soft-spot for rhetorical flourish and does not take criticism well, but until Olbermann came back, he was the only nightly anchor who wasn't completely in the bag for the Bush administration.

Olbermann has become a hero of amazing proportions in our household for simply being the only person regularly leveling criticism at the Bushies from 2003 onward. He said things and raised issues that I had only heard at that point coming from people like Glenn Greenwald, Rachel Maddow (who's now a regular on Countdown) and Bill Maher.

It's no accident that Olbermann closes every show with a count of the days since the declaration of victory in Iraq, a constant reminder to thinking people everywhere of the Bush administration's criminal incompetence.

Obviously, some criticism of MSNBC (Matthews' uncontrolled glee on the night of the Iowa caucus being a standout) is warranted. But let's not forget that Matthews was the famous target of Zell Miller's duel threat after Matthews had the temerity to question his bombastic 2004 Republican convention speech. Until we have a completely "free" press again (which may never happen, honestly) the flashes of brilliance shown by Matthews and the continuing honesty of coverage by Olbermann (who astute observations often become the basis/inspiration for entire segments of The Daily Show/Colbert Report, 36 hours later), are the best we have right now. I can forgive their minor missteps.

The Democratic race IS over, not that you could tell from CNN last night (although, tellingly, FOX barely covered WV last night and apparently didn't even broadcast Clinton's "victory" speech).

Better late than never!

Edwards will not be the VP. If you're going to go white Southerner, might as well pick someone who brings something new like Jim Webb. White, Southern, good-looking AND a vet with a kid in Iraq. Now that's getting some bang for your VP buck!

Thanks Paul! And thanks, Joan. You might finagle that subscription re-up out of me after all!

It is time to start thinking about the math and its nice to see that Obama has many paths to choose from.

Time to get to work!

And once again, apologies to my Cleveland/Ohio friends (MP and others). Twice ousted by Boston teams in 1 year (and 2 sports) is too much for anyone to bear.

Truthfully, half of me was secretly rooting for the LeBron's yesterday. If anyone, especially a Celts fan, tells you this postseason is fun to watch, check their pulse immediately!

If the Celts do pull off this extremely unlikely championship this year, it may be the most boring championship ever... AND they'll do it without winning one game on the road!

That being said, if the Pistons think that the Celts are the Magic, they've got another thing comin'...

Maybe Bukk63's dog whistle will bring him back over to King's column where his one-liners are appreciated for the insane inanity that they are.

Last I saw he was vowing to canvas for Hillary in 2012. So we might not see him in a while...

First thing I've read from you on King's column in months(!) and you give me the Lakers-Celtics conspiracy one-liner. I could have gone to the board at "SI Kids" to get better insight. You're slippin' man. All that Hillary cheering has sucked you dry...

CM: This is why he's "Cheap Shot Bob"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYC95MziMJk

Wes:

Yes, and you're girl will be locked into less than half of the pledged delegates tonight. But that doesn't matter, as you'll be working towards her 2012 bid, I'm sure.

Were you conscious in the late 80s to mid 90s? Are you conscious now?

..given the history of the Bulls draft picks, they would rather have the #2. Two words for you on the Bulls most recent #1: Elton Brand.

My don't we think we're clever?

I've got a question for the general rabble – impending doom posts on a Salon board mean:

1. Some Democrats are cynical

2. Some Hillary supporters would rather see a (R) as President than admit they were wrong about Obama

3. (R) trolls are trolling to shore up their own impending doom

4. Just an asshole (call this the Wes answer)

Pick one and discuss!