One of my first encounters with the then-new plastic bag was the time I purchased a picture frame. The clerk dropped the frame into the bag, and it promptly broke through and fell to the floor breaking not only the metal frame but depositing glass all over the place. From that point on, I hated the things!

Later, when I tried to do the "bring my own bags along" thing, I found myself having to rush to the end of the counter to inform the bagger to put the stuff into my green or orange bags instead of their plastic ones. More than once, because the bagger had already packed at least one plastic bagful, he simply took the full plastic bag and depositted it into the one I brought along!

The first time I was dumbfounded and only commented--sarcastically, of course--about the purpose of those bags. Later I would insist they repack the groceries, although it was clear that the plastic bag I rejected was headed for the trash because it was "used" -- that was before the days they began serious recycling in the stores.

Now I simply ask for paper bags. More often than not, I get them. Why didn't I keep up with the orange and green ones? Well, the chain sold to another chain and my logo-covered ones weren't welcome. Nor has the new chain introduced the concept.

As far as the plastic bags, if all of us practiced the simply idea of re-using them at least once, it would save a heck of a lot of plastic used. So, don't make fun of us who have a large bag behind our closet door full of plastic bags. We do use them again...and sometimes again and again. Ditto for the paper bags.

And, at least, we try to do our part. Even us old timers.

during the end day of his time in the White House.

Without Rove, I expect Dubya will be seen walking around his version of Oz (the White House) searching for a brain (like the scarecrow), for courage (like the lion), and for a heart (like the tin man). Maybe if he looks hard enough, he'll even manage to find all three. On second thought, forget it--that won't happen. It's just wishful thinking!

Yesterday's resignation of Karl Rove, though, could be compared to the ending scenes of the Wizard of Oz where the wicked witch melts away to the cheers of the crowd.

Litz writes: "As it is, they will probably reunite with buddy Ken Lay at the Bush family compound in Paraguay, where they can avoid extradition."

Ken Lay is dead. But there's no doubt in my mind that there's a Bush family compound in hell where they all will eventually reside...except, perhaps, for Cheney and Rove.

Why? Well, there's this cartoon series that I happened upon while flipping channels at a hotel while on a recent trip. I believe it's called "L'il Bush" and in this particular episode little Dick Cheney dies. He, of course, goes to hell. But, sadly for the world, the devil finds him too evil to keep there and sends him back to earth! I suspect that we'll see Karl Rove resurrecting again and again in some ugly form just like we've seen with Cheney. Some evil beings are just too evil to contain.

Frankly, who cares what the Republicans use as their slogan. With regard to Democrats, however, I suggest a take off on a bumper sticker that (I hope) is still around, and one that used to be on my car before I had it repainted: THE WAR IS OVER. HALLIBURTON WON. (Does anyone know where I can get a new one?)

Expand it to say: THE WAR IS OVER. HALLIBURTON WON. NOW LET'S MOVE ON with a DEMOCRAT VICTORY IN '08.

RDishier hits the nail right on the head with

I know it's fun to be snide, but please remember, WE invaded their country. WE destroyed their country. WE bombed them to hell and killed thousands of civilians. They didn't ask for this.

In order to claim OUR victory - or, perhaps, failure - and support OUR troops, we must all also admit OUR role in the fiasco in Iraq. OUR elected leaders got us into it---both Democrats and Republicans. Few stood their ground on the issue. Some running for election as president on the Democrat side are as equally responsible as those on the Republican side for this war--no matter what they now say about being lied to. They should have insisted time be taken to study the issue, and not rush ahead with giving authority to an administration they should have already known was untrustworthy (heck, a lot of us simple folk out here did!) And not only did we then re-elected the boobs, but we continue refuse to hold them accountable. Plus, we continue to dish out our tax dollars to support the war, as well as sending our men and women to sacrifice (many naive, and going willingly) their limbs, minds, and even their lives for something WE approved and, more importantly, did so enthuastically!

The blood of those 14 military members killed in that helicopter crash - as well as growing numbers of those already buried - and the lives of thousands and thousands of Iraq citizens is on OUR hands, folks! No matter what is said now, no matter how many denials and "we didn't know" comments are made, no matter how many people say "but there was 9/11" and we were attacked, an undeniable fact remains: We attacked a country that had no part in 9/11 and was not a threat to us or our way of life. Our bemoaning the fact that the weak so-called leaders in Iraq aren't getting it together now and solving the problems WE created is just plain wrong.

So what's the answer? Beats me. I didn't support the whole mess in the first place.

Thanks, RDishier, for having the courage to point out that fact.