"I'd like a pony. And an end to world hunger. And world peace. Oh, and not to have to worry about whether I'd locked my door. Why don't we get rid of money, too, while we're at it, and just take what we need, and give to others what they need?

Let's change everything we know about human nature and biology. This survival of the fittest stuff--I really wish nature weren't so much about it, and more about "live and let live.""

Wow. THAT's your response to my wish that politicians actually behaved like honest responsible adults? Like PATRIOTS? Like people who love their country, rather than just wearing flag pins and putting their hands on their hearts while listening to a song?

Wow. And I thought I was cynical. But you take the cake.

Your answer showed what a jerk you must be.

(1) "three GOP senators have cut a deal" -- Why does this make me queasy in my tummy? I mean, I know politics is all about quid pro quo, but this sounds almost as blatant as Blago. What are they getting? I really wish American politics weren't so much about "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" and more about "let's run this country as best as possible."

(2) I still don't see why 60 has to be magic number. I'd LOVE to see the Repugs holding a filibuster about this. The entire country would be interested, I think. The Dems should call their bluff -- I bet they'd cave.

My parents emigrated from Germany when I was five and we moved to D.C. My brother and I were the only white people in school.

Now, I had/have very thin, fine blond hair. I absolutely wanted pigtails. Every morning, my mom would braid my hair, and she'd braid the ribbon right into the top of the pigtail to keep it in. Fine -- if I sat around all day. But I was something of a tomboy and ran around after school. Invariablly, I'd lose one or both ribbons and get punished for it.

Imagine me standing in line at school behind a black girl with pigtails all over her head and NOTHING HOLDING THE PIGTAILS TOGETHER. I was enthralled! That's the kind of hair I wanted.

Yes, of course, we always want what we can't have. But I just want to say that, to this day, I find it a crying shame that black women don't appreciate their hair and work with what they've got. I cannot stand straightened black hair. I'm sorry, it looks absolutely phony, and very much second-best to "white" hair.

Black women, start loving your natural hair! Know that there are tons of styles for you that no white woman will ever be able to accomplish. Be proud of it. Don't think of it as "radical" or "ethnic," think of it as yours.

"Because there is no one I find more loathsmome, more hateful, more mendacious than the Edwardses"

Really?

REALLY?

How about W?

How about Cheney?

Nuff said, I think. Because you can't trump the last eight years when it comes to loathsomeness, hatefulness, and mendacity.

Tim Pawlenty never saw a tax cut he didn't like. MN now has a huge deficit, and teachers are being let go, state gov't workers will be next. But hey, let's cut more taxes.

What good does a tax cut do if you don't have a job?

'Tell me: why is "rewarding incompetence" somehow more "realistic" than "holding people accountable for their mistakes"?'

Because, unfortunately, that's the way it is in the real world. Or at least in the U.S.

I mean, name me one bank or Wall Street CEO who's been held accountable for messing up drastically. No, even if they are let go, they get wonderful golden parachutes.

In a similar vein: AIG -- having received the dubious publicity of holding that expensive "retreat" after getting bailout funds -- has now changed its name to "21st Century Insurance." The name is kind of ironic, but I'm sure the AIG PR people think it's brilliant.

Sigh. Joan is right, and it's not just politics, it's U.S. business, too.

"Salon liberals. . ."

Aw shucks, Roxie, no need to send those constant compliments.

"Clinton craves your adulation (the source of all his troubles). Obama will take it, but he can leave it, too. He is astonishingly self-contained. He gives what he must to advance his goals, his programs, his ambitions. But no more. He has no need to."

Obama is astonishingly adult and secure.

Bill Clinton, not so much.

W Bush, not at all.

Obama memorized the oath. Roberts memorized it (he thought) and didn't bring a written copy with him. The oath goes:

"I, [name]" Pause for incoming Pres to say that, then:

"do solemnly swear" etc.

Obama did it correctly: "I, Barack Hussein Obama"

Roberts said it incorrectly: "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear"

Roberts screwed up. Period.

'"I always felt it was important to tackle the tough issues today and not try to pass them on to future presidents, and future generations,"'

What universe does he live in?

What did he inherit from Clinton?

(1) A surplus and a thriving economy

(2) Relative peace in the world

(3) Warnings to watch out for bin Laden

(4) A world that still looked up to the U.S.

What did he leave for Obama?

No need for a list, we all know what shape the world is in.

This man denies reality more than anyone I've ever met.

I'm just embarrassed for these people.

Dear B.O. --

Oh, you're initials are BO. Hahahahahaha.

:) GWB, The Decider

Among the relief I know feel is the small satisfaction that I don't have to run screaming out of the room when our President is on T.V.