The Gonzales scandal has demoralized many Americans who want our Justice Department to have some integrity. If infuriates me that this political parrot is going to get away with lying, not remembering, and a stunning loss of judicial fairness. This issue is extremely significant, but it is overshadowed by Iraq. When it comes down to what's important for the direction of American justice, the Gonzales scandal may be just as significant because it involves torture, cronyism, bogus lawsuits against the other party, and spying on Americans...Gonzales symbolizes the Bush Administration's lack of a moral and ethical compass. It really worries me that our society and our House will tolerate the likes of Alberto Gonzales.

Geldof's petulant spleen does no service to the issue of global warming. How can Gore's concerts hurt awareness, for pete's sake?

When Bush was elected in 2000, I doubted his ability to handle the presidency; however, I never imagined that the utter incompetence of this Administration because I thought the Republican machine would, at the very least, buttress him through the rough times. Obviously, my opinion of the Republican apparatus was totally wrong...in fact, I have come to believe they are as incompetent as Bush, all of them.

I suppose I shouldn't be happy to watch Bush's presidency unravel even further. I know this is not particularly good because our country is suffering as we watch him shrivel...however, there is a bright side to this: surely, at some point, the American people will become completely disenchanted with the conservative ideology that has permeated American politics for three decades, if not longer. But I don't count on it...after all, the American people elected this bumpkin a second time despite his demonstrated ineptitude. I realize there are those who believe that he stole the election both times and this may be true, but too many people voted for this charlatan whose only claim to fame was name recognition.

I have my own theory of why Carter backed down: Somehow, someone threatened his Habitat for Humanity project or he got enough negative e-mails from loyal bushies to make him think it was threatened. Of course, I have no proof. But that is what I think happened.

I agree with Conason's points in many respects but I am sick and tired of all the Democratic bashing by Democrats. My memory says the Democrats did, in fact, enthusiastically embrace the Baker Commission recommendations in a big public way.

One fact is paramount---the troops have to be funded. It would have been political suicide for them to deny it.

Furthermore, a hasty departure from Iraq is going to cause horrible repercussions. We should leave incrementally rather than pull up stakes in the middle of the night, and from one article I read this morning on ABC.com, Bush appears to be planning such a move in anticipation of the elections.

It is time for Democrats to bash Bush and the rubber stamp presidential candidates the Republicans are offering rather than cannibalize our own.

It is frightening to think that America has been so undermined in the new millennium by the ignorance and short-sightedness of George Bush and his rogue Administration. I feel American ideals have been assaulted...our sense of fair play, our pride in democratic processes, our belief in freedom of speech, our disgust with the dark forces of repressive regimes. Now we have a president who encourages torture, who wants to subvert our basic separation of church and state, who panders to religious extremists, and who wants to privatize every little thing! It is easy to feel we have lost our way. Hopefully, the next election will boot out these forces, but I worry that the American dalliance with conservatism may not have run its course and we'll be faced with more of the same.

Chris Matthews can hardly be called a journalist. His shallow analysis of the news is so biased it is enraging! I switch him off to protect my heart muscle.

As for Fred Thompson being sexy...please...he looks so stodgy and so unappealing I haven’t given him a thought. Nor is Romney sexy... he happens to be handsome but he is simply too much into political expediency for that honor. Guilani, maybe...because he is glib and humorous, but he misses the boat with the cross-dressing. Edwards...perhaps a little too smooth but he is my personal favorite. Obama...the racial aspects get in the way for too many people but he is the best orator. Gore...yes, because he says what he believes on many issues which shows strength and virility even if he is overweight (I wish he would run). And Hillary has studiously de-emphasized her natural beauty with chopped-off hair but her iron will makes her appealing.

And, of course, there is Bill Clinton, but his weakness for beautiful women is a detraction for some...for others, a lure.. Oh, and he's not a candidate, or is he?

I have to admit that Hillary's preparedness, her experience and intelligence do attract me. I still worry about the gender problem, plus all the Hillary bashing that went on while her husband was president. As far as I'm concerned, the first priority should be to get the neocons out of power, then begin the process of getting out of Iraq. We need a Democratic winner---I don't want the Republicans to get back in because the Democrats squandered their chances.