Barry Bonds now has the single season and lifetime homerun records. I don't know what to make of the steroids accusation except to say that his sworn testimony before the grand jury about never "knowingly" using them does not seem credible. What the hell kind of an answer is that? Having said that, Bary Bonds has always been a bit of a surly egomaniac despite his considerable abilities. I don't see David Wright or Jose Reyes showboating when they go deep, and these kids are at least as talented as Bonds. Carlos Beltran is as good as they come in centerfield and there is no air of "celebrity" around him. Just gratefulness to be able to play at this level and make millions doing it. Does Bonds deserve to be in the Hall of Fame? Well, if you're going to judge by his attitude, I'd say no. He may respect the game but he doesn't seem to respect the fans or the press. On the other hand, Ty Cobb was a foaming at the mouth racist and he's in. So...I don't know. The conflict continues.

I keep thinking about Karl Rove's statement about having access to "THE math" and then how "THE math" worked out entirely and spectacularly wrong.

THE math translated into "a thumpin'" for Republicans in particular and the right wing in general. Now all that can be heard is the wailing and gnashing of teeth from FOX NOISE and Mr. Murdoch's well-paid minions. The Bush worshippers are a bit less conspicuous...and Karl Rove returns to private life taking "THE math" with him. The math that has proven so completely unreliable the last 3 years. While many here are calling his resignation a sign that something bigger is in the offing (a not entirely unfounded assertion, by the by), I think Rove was right when he said "It's just time". Despite all the foaming at the mouth about the Republicans regaining control of...ANYTHING, the truth might be closer to this: having thoroughly destroyed their reputation and their legacy for at least a generation if not more, the Bushies are sort of getting ready to saddle up and ride off into the sunset with their ill-gotten gains. After all, this gang was always just a bunch of horse thieves anyway, and the ill-winds of accountability are blowing like the Santa Anas in late summer. Best to get out of Dodge now and save your neck from the gallows because sure as the sunrise, somebody's gonna hang for all this. Time to go.

Do the math.

People emailing in to say how much they love Karl Rove.

And Rush Limbaugh.

Two pig-faced, saggy jowl-having dorks who could never get more than a mercy date in high school. One wonders how they got wives. It's been rumored that Karl Rove even has some action on the side. And all this adulation. From whence comes this outpouring? From what psychiatric facility?

First, let me state that I am just beside myself with glee that Alberto Gonzales has chosen to step aside as USAG. I don't know if anyone else has thought of this, and if someone has then I'll just be agreeing here, but something MIGHTY BIG must be about to drop to force the resignations of two KEY figures in the administration in the same month. Where some might see more opportunities for corruption (and they're not wrong), I see the crumbling of an administration DUE to that very corruption. The next administration is going to have to repair a great deal of damage and I know that this sounds redundant, but it bears repeating. With that said, I agree with Mr. Greenwald who says this is a grand opportunity for Democrats and the Republicans who've had a "come to Jesus" on this to exercise oversight and do the right thing in selecting the next USAG. I believe that should be Patrick Fitzgerald. We have not had a more able and fearless defender of the rule of law since this rogue administration came into office, and you can be sure that Mr. Fitzgerald will not staff the DOJ with toilet-paper law degree having Jesus freaks.

I know I've said this before. Maybe just not here. But isn't holding the so-called Iraqi "government" to progress based on political "benchmarks" a bit like breaking into someone's car, taking it for a joyride, smashing it into tree, and then presenting the person you stole it from with a bill and a note saying "pay up or I'll smash your car some more"?

Is this really the sort of twisted argument that's being presented for "progress" in Iraq that some Democrats have signed on to, like Hillary Clinton?

Let me lay it out here in case it's not really obvious.

WE invaded the country on entirely false pretenses.

WE effectively unleashed civil war in every part of Iraq, taking the lid off centuries of barely contained tribal hatred.

WE made Iraq a safe haven for Jihad Inc, where al Qaeda has a branch among others who'd like to kill us.

And now, we are telling the Iraqis to straighten out their act so that we can leave?

Am I hearing this? God knows I'm not claiming to be a genius about all this, but howcome I can see this morally indefensible and intellectually dishonest position for what it is, and people like Hillary who ought to know better can't?