Anyone who wants to know how the U.S. went "wrong" in Iraq need look no further than Bush's answer to the following question, which was asked at the press conference described in Sid Blumenthal's article: "You've continually cited the elections, the new government, its progress in Iraq, and yet the violence has gotten worse in certain areas...Is it not time for a new strategy? And if not, why not?" Bush's response: "The strategy is to help the Iraqi people achieve their objectives and dreams, which is a democratic society. That's the strategy." (Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/08/20060821.html)

Actually, helping the Iraqi people achieve a democratic society isn't a strategy--it's an objective, a goal. A strategy is a series of specific steps that one takes in order to achieve one's goal. For example: I want to lose 10 pounds in time for my 20-year high school reunion next month. That's the goal. My strategy is to eat fewer between-meal snacks and go to the gym at least 4 days a week. President Bush does not seem to understand this fundamental difference, or even appreciate the fact that there IS a difference.

Dear Dirty Thirty:

I can completely relate to what you and your boyfriend are going through. During my previous relationship, I ex was the "hot" one and I was the straight man. However, as I grew older and more confident in myself, I grew out of it; maybe he will, too. But in case he doesn't....

...then come over to my place and I'll be happy to fuck the ever-loving shit out of you, you hot wet bitch!

Anyone out there remember "M.A.S.H." (the 1970 Robert Altman film, not the TV series)? Robert Duvall's Major Frank Burns is the perfect metaphor for the Bush administration. In one scene, the character of Duke Forrest (played by Tom Skerritt) sums up Burns this way: "Anytime a patient croaks on him, he claims it's God's Will, or someone else's fault!"

Think about it. The "patient" could be anything: Iraq, New Orleans, North Korea. With Bush it's always "God's will" (i.e., something that could not have been "foreseen") or someone else's fault. 9/11? Bill Clinton's fault (besides, no one could have foreseen that terrorists would use airplanes as guided missiles, PDB's not withstanding). New Orleans? No one could have foreseen the breaches of the levees. Iraq? No one could have foreseen the rise of the insurgency, or the onset of civil war between the Sunnis and Shiites. North Korea has nukes? Bill Clinton's fault.

Where are Hawkeye and Trapper John when you need them?

...about the state of our country when a man who is considered to be one of its' leading journalists describes his job as being that of glorified government stenographer. And it also proves that when journalists and politicians get too cozy with one another, the result is a debacle similar to what we are seeing in Iraq today.

...whether "Clark" is an authentic Canadian or not. All I know is, I'm a baseball fan, and a hockey fan, and this is one of the funniest damn things I've seen in a long time!

...that it is IMMORAL to send America's sons and daughters into harm's way for specious or questionable reasons...

Actually, Joe...according to War Room, Kyle Sampson uttered the phrase "I don't know" a total of 122 times. Come on, man! Get your facts straight! :)

As several posters have quite correctly pointed out, this incident is but a small drop in the bucket. Someday, someone is going to make a list of George W. Bush's misdeeds, and when they do there's no question that this one will rank near the bottom in terms of importance. Nevertheless, I think it speaks volumes about Bush's character; he's a petulant bully who can't stand it when people question is policies, even when the questioner is a 13-year-old girl. January 2009 can't get here soon enough! Good riddance to this clown!

I think that LW has every right to be upset about her boyfriend's conduct. I also believe it's possible for her to assert herself in a non-confrontational way. The next time she catches her boyfriend checking out another woman, I think she should calmly say, "Listen, I know you check out other women when we're together. I understand that you're a normal, healthy guy with a normal, healthy libido, but it really upsets me when you do this." The point is, if the BF really is a "great catch," he'll respect her feelings and at least restrict his ogling to when he's out on the town with his buddies.

Lost in all of the hoopla over No. 756 is the fact that it came in yet another Giants loss. The Giants are now 49-64, 14.5 games back in the NL West. If the Giants are smart, they'll cut ties with Bonds during the off-season and use the money that they would have paid him to get some fresh young arms for their rotation. And if Bonds had any class, he'd take his tainted home run record and quietly walk away from the game. Now what do you suppose are the chances of THAT actually happening?