Or it could play into the GOP's hands and send a Rudy Guilliani to the White House, which is my fear. Once the bombs start dropping and the chaos begins Warrior Rudy will look better to alot of people than shifty weasle Clinton, deer in the headlights Obama or Kumbaya Edwards. Anyone of the three would be painted with the weak on defence brush once people are caught up in the fear and hysteria.

Attacking Iran is probably the Republicans best hope of retaining the White House, and maybe regaining the Senate. At this point I suspect a move against Iran is a power play. Any Republican swept into the White House on the heels of a raw and raging war in Iran would probaly turn to Cheney's crowd. Its their way of staying in power. They stay in control and the money faucet remains turned on full force.

I think the task is to stop Bush and the GOP from making that move. Kyl/Lieberman makes that even harder. All those Democratic Senators (I'm profoundly disappointed with you Dick Durbin) have no one but themselves to blame.

We're occupying Iraq, we're in Afghanistan, we're on the verge of war with Iran, we back every belligerent move Israel makes,, Turkey is fed up with us and is poised to go into Iraq, we've threatened Syria, Pakistan is blowing up in our face. Could we honestly have fucked up more?

The frightening thing is that we're facing an election that will be a profound turning point in our history, and let's be honest, all of the choices are at best uninspiring.

And when Musharraf is eventually dangling by his ankle from a light post can you imagine the shit we'll be up to our necks in?

Don't cry for me. Really only three have been piling on me. Go back and read their collection of posts. One notes, all three of them. None have been able to justify Clinton's stands (or lack of clear stands) on the issues, her shifty dodging and weaving, and ultimately her dishonesty in explaining her vote on Kyl/Lieberman which is my problem with her. Of course I certainly enjoyed throwing gasoline in their faces, but I have to say my favorite post was the idiotic comparison of Clinton's Senate votes on Iraq and Iran with candidates that weren't even in the Senate! That was truly profound.

Certainly, his stand on the Iraq war and our increasingly imperial nature is compelling, but his other views are extreme. He seems to be capturing the attention of alot of people who normally would be considered progressive. We talk alot about the cult of personality. Its what gave us George Bush. I see Ron Paul no differently. Sure, its amusing to see him tweak the the other GOP candidates at the debates, but its frightening that he's getting so much support from people who are, in fact, unaware of his overall views.

In putting a hold on the FISA bill and threatening a filibuster should Reid move forward with it anyway was certainly a bold, and concrete, move by Chris Dodd. Its a shame it went by virtually ignored by the media and the public. I don't have alot of faith in the American public. I can't help but think alot of Ron Paul's sudden surge in popularity (and fund raising) is because he's a "character."

I'm horrified, but I know a number of people who are big, BIG, Giuliani supporters. It really does scare. It seems unimaginable, but I think he would have a shot at winning. I just don't see any of the Democrats igniting much excitement over a broad spectrum. Giuliani would have his rabid supporters, and he'd pick up alot of last minute wafflers who go into the voting booth and let the fear tactics work their magic.

Character-wise he's completely different than George Bush, so he offers the "change" people want, but he uses the same scare tactics that Bush has used (and they do work). Personally, I'm hoping romney can get the nomination. He's so boring, he'd have a real uphill climb. Giuliani? I'm afraid he's got a darn good chance of winning.

The Democrats...no question in my mind.

"Congress will adopt a legal ban on waterboarding"

Does Congress have to go atrocity by atrocity banning individual tortures? Now waterboarding will be A-OK. What about tomorrow, removing fingernails? After all it isn't fatal, and leaves no grievous damage. I recall certain Japanese war criminals who were executed for among their crimes torture (including waterboarding).

I find it beyond comprehension that we find ourselves at this juncture, and I find it appalling that Republicans and conservatives have, once again, been allowed to frame the debate and take ownership of this issue and have suddenly transformed the US into a torture state. The next time planes explode into skyscapers, or a shopping mall explodes I hope people will remember this moment...then try to say, "They hate us because we love freedom."

The most alarming part is that the American people as a whole seem so ambivilant to this issue.

"Bushit has created a monster that won't soon be diminished in it's standing."

Or has the monster created Bush? That's what I'm beginning to believe.

What the heck would he say about David Bowie?!