I see your point; however, I disagree. I think it's important that we the people find out what's happening to our government. The DOJ is being staffed with people of only one political leaning. Is it illegal? Maybe; I don't know. But it's scary as heck and not something that should happen in a healthy democracy.

Is the same thing happening in other government agencies? The public definitely needs to know, so that it can make informed choices at the voting booth.

O.k., I'm dreaming when I say "healthy democracy" and "informed choices," but you get my drift.

Hmm. Let me see. . .Didn't the Clinton administration start this model because the Repugs were screaming about the administation using government facilities for fundraising or campaigning? Something like that. So when there was any fundraising or campaigning going on, staff would use the special email not associated with the government.

O.k., that sounds good.

Now, this administration is using the same model. Except it sounds like their staff is spending 75% or 80% of its time DOING NOTHING BUT FUNDRAISING/CAMPAIGNING.

Congress, could you look into that? Oh wait, you've got a list a mile long of things wrong with this administration.

While reading this article, here's what I took out of it:

Agencies affected by the signing statements chose to follow the President's [I use that word loosely] signing statements rather than obey the law.

Can we all say BANANA REPUBLIC? Cause we're sliding closer and closer.

First, you have to ask yourselves: What are he and his department hiding?

Second: How on earth does someone who has so little regard for the law be number two [number one] in our government?

Dick's flagrant disrespect for simple security measures speaks volumes. He's telling the country: "Go f... yourselves."

But then, that's all this administration has been telling us from day one. And we let it.

Saintzak, I'm totally with you. I've always had a queasy feeling in my stomach whenever the media talked about supporting the troops, etc. I'm NOT supporting this war in any way, shape, or form. I feel very sorry for the people who signed up to get a free education and ended up fighting this horrific war in Irag, but I sure don't feel thankful that they're fighting it. No sirree.

Yes, our troops are pawns. But they're pawns doing some really dirty work. Troops: You have my heartfelt sympathy, but NO THANK YOU!

. . .that we only hear about captures/killings at the most beneficial moments, not when they actually happen.

Beneficial to the administration, of course.

Was this report supposed to show that the surge is working?

Tim, I hope you actually find a place to live in D.C. I grew up there and it really spoils you (museums, art galleries, plus it's beautiful).

Both the MD and VA suburbs have grown into a huge mess, so try to stay away.

Last of all, don't believe that Washingtonians are "insulated." Politicians are, as well as the lobbyists and hangers-on. But there are real people living in D.C. who are very down-to-earth. Try to seek them out.

Good luck!

Holes to be plugged up first:

(1) The Electoral College

(2) The two-party system

(3) Campaign finance -- no more buying our candidates, and no more having to be a billionaire to run for office.

The surge, the benchmarks -- all B.S. If W & Co. have their way, 25 years from now we'll still be giving the surge time to work. Holy crap, people, can't you smell the B.S.?

The fact is, Bushco MUST "win" this war. Winning isn't "democracy" (yeah, W, teach us all about democracy). Winning is Oil. Winning is having the largest embassy in the world in Iraq, with all the free oil at our disposal. Our = Bushco's buddies, of course, not you and me.

W can't let his oil buddies down. No way, no how. So he's going to keep being a "glass half full" kind of guy until he's forced out of office kicking and screaming. Or until The Dark Lord Cheney has found a suitable replacement for him.

And yes, I've become a "glass totally empty" kind of person in the last seven years.

Luv your statistics! Relatively few Americans have died in Iraq, so you can pretty much say anything: More Americans died slipping in their showers than died in Iraq (ergo: Don't shower); more Americans died while making love than died in Iraq (ergo: no more baby-makin!); more Americans died choking on a pretzel than died in Iraq (we wish), etc.

Second: "Hardly anyone over there is dying, compared to our much bigger issues of drunk driving and suicide."

Luv, luv, luv that statement. "Hardly anyone over there" obviously equals Americans, and NOBODY ELSE COUNTS, do they? I thought we were fighting this war to bring democracy to these people, whom we obviously don't give a sh*t about.

Ah, logic!

I agree with you 100%. How many people were rounded up and sent to Abu Ghraib or Gitmo? How many of those were innocent?

This was done in the name of the United States, and we should be ashamed.

We should also be very, very afraid. We've lost the moral high ground, if we ever had it.

For those who believe in karma, this country is in for a world of hurt. For those who believe in logic, this country is in for some horrific terrorist attacks.

This administration has so much to answer for. Totally besmirching the reputation of this country is one of them.

About f...ing time!

Although of course, he'll refuse to say anything. Or worse, lie. Just call him Karl "Goebbels" Rove.

O.k., go get him on that one exception. It only takes once.

It's a mechanical heart -- doubtless made out of steel.