People pass gas everyday. You'll live. I'll bet you've even farted once or twice. And, this is a long shot here, your's may not smell like roses.

Sure, the poor guy probably could have stood a foot or two the other way, but would it really have made that much difference. The polite thing to do would have been to stand up and grin and bear it. Jesus, what a touchy bunch of people.

I wonder if the Democrats aren't missing the boat here. Catching Gonzalez in a lie is nice. But if he were telling the truth, that would be even better! Suppose that there is some secret intelligence program out there that these arrogant bastards are STILL hiding. I certainly wouldn't put it past them.

And lest you think that I'm just paranoid (and remember, it's not paranoia if they're really after you) consider FBI director Mueller's carefully parsed testimony today. When asked what Gonzales and Ashcroft were discussing in Ashcroft's hospital room, he replied, “I had an understanding the discussion was on AN N.S.A. program, yes.” When pressed to further clarify which program he said it was one “that has been much discussed, yes.” But much discussed by whom? publicly or privately? Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of these people.

Were I on the Senate Judiciary Committee, I'd take the tack that we take the Attorney General at his work and assume that he takes his oath seriously. Therefore, we want to know about this new, heretofore secret plan that has yet to be disclosed to the American people where there was no substantial disagreement as to it's constitutionality. Then, if the plan doesn't exist (which I concede is the most likely, but not the only possible outcome), it forces the administration to say "Gonzales lied," rather than the Senate having to say it.

As Hamlet said, "Tis a consummation devoutly to be wished."

While it would be no shoe-in, especially against Hillary or Obama, it would present the American people with a stark choice. More of the same old shit, or a real change. If the ignoramuses who elected Bush really are as stupid as they sometimes seem, and the last six years haven't taught them something, surely it's time for the rest of us to brush up our resumes and start emigrating.

I agree that we shouldn't stoop and get into the mud with the Republicans -- just yet. There is no hurry. They'll do it for us, if I don't miss my bet. Let them tear into each other first. Besides, we only need to tear into one of them -- the one that wins the nomination. For non (and tonight on television), I think that it's prudent to say that 1) many voters on both sides of the aisle are tired of undue intrusion into personal lives; 2) that the majority of the voters who are into that sort of intrusion are Republicans; and 3) since Giuliani is running as a Republican, that you can't ignore it from a handicapping standpoint, but it's regrettable that politics has come to this as it turns people off. Tsk, tsk, tsk, etc., etc., etc.

Plus, let's contrast that with the highly qualified Democratic field. Excellent quality and depth. Republicans aren't happy with their choices, etc. Rub their damn noses in it.

I think that the Democratic party could use more of the trial lawyer personality. When a trial lawyer is attacked, he knows that this has to counter attack -- both defending what is attacked, and attacking the opponents vulnerabilities.

As for the polls, at this point they mean nothing. And remember, this is not a national primary. It is run in a particular order, with the candidate who wins early caucuses getting an amazing boost of momentum. Until two weeks before the N.H. primary last time, Howard Dean had a huge lead. It evaporated overnight after Kerry won in Iowa. If Edwards wins Iowa, as it appears it may well do, he will vault to the head of the field. And a good thing, too, as I strongly believe that he is the most electable candidate. An Edwards-Obama ticket would have great appeal in almost every state, forcing the Republicans to spend money in places where they have traditionally taken for granted.

Cell phone audio quality is abominable. Not only are they really not full duplex, but I have great trouble positioning the speaker correctly in relation to my ear. Furthermore, despite the fact that a cell phone is typically used in a noisier environment, and therefore one would expect the microphone to be engineered to pick up less distant noise, they seem to pick up every f'in sound within a half mile radius, all louder than the caller's voice.

As a business tool, they are next to useless unless one is in a very quiet area. I would suggest that you join those of us who complain to cell phone companies and cell phone manufacturers to make cell phones for adults who actually want to use them to make telephone calls as we are seemingly the last customer that they think of when the design the damn things.

And don't get me started about not being able to read the text with progressive lenses.

Don't underestimate Newt. He actually has a brain. And he knows enough to know what is principled and what is not. Not that he stays bound by that, understand. But at least he knows when he's being hypocritical and will have thought about how to respond if called on the carpet. But he can be an effective communicator. He is someone we as progressives should watch very closely, keep a sharp eye on, and have a sharp knife at the ready. You can deal with him, but never forget that he's a pretty slim customer. So be careful.