And it's clusterf#(&. It was apparent form some of the early reports I read that this was the road the surge was heading for, and no doubt, it's gonna be blamed on the next president when it does explode.

The thing is, like one poster already mentioned, it would be easier to keep paying these guys until the inevitable American withdrawal. I don't see any signs the US has the diplomatic skills to defuse the situation, the least that the government should do is make sure they've pulled out by the time it explodes.

Good article. Too bad more people are busy reading the latest fluff opinion piece from Walsh or Shapiro.

That was a pretty good interview Glenn. I think the most important thing, to me, was that Holt seemed like he wanted some answers. I really want to see whether he actually follows up on that...and I don't want to hear any lame excuses of what he can or can't do.

There isn't anybody McCain won't stab in the back, or throw under the bus if he thinks it'll help get him elected. Nice character.

I don't really see anybody answering any serious questions unless someone is willing to slap someone's butt in jail. Would love to see it, but I'm not holding my breath. Still, it's good that the courts, at least, didn't add to the amount of cover BushCo gets.

That dude has no idea what eh's talking about, straight up. That might be the silliest thing I've read in years.

That FEMA story was really disturbing...I can't imagine being in the same situation as the people surviving Katrina. What a debacle. Nice to know the government cares...

Read your comment at your blog. Well said.

Glenn, saw the section where you were talking about FISA and telecom immunity, and I was struck by what a gasbag Sunstein was...he was contradictory a few times, when he actually bothered to answer the question. I would have liked to have heard one straight answer from him on whether he believes that people who break the law should be accountable for it.

I really hope Obama isn't listening to him too much, but to me it sounds like he really is.

Are you saying that the US stopped being a superpower after Vietnam? I think you're alone on that one.

Of course, nobody's really needed the British to tell them this outside the USA. The word of the American president and his administration hasn't been good for a very long time. When the Republicans are saying "They hate us for our freedoms?" That ain't the reason.

On an intellectual level, it's interesting watching an empire fall first-hand.

I thought it was covered; I never saw an actual nipple. And yeah, this was one of the more ridiculous "controversies" we've seen in a while.

You couldn't see the thing being complained about. Yeah, I imagine civilization was sooooo close to collapsing.

I bet if you showed people from 7 years ago McCain now, they wouldn't recognize him. He's pretty much the poster boy of "selling your soul for power."

More people need to know about his behavior...oh, and actually pay attention.

That it was Gus Johnson and whomever he wants replacing Packer and Nance. Truth be told, I'm glad Billy's going away. CBS must have three different teams that are better than the one they've had calling the Final Four.

Was a pretty good Expo.

I figured after bouncing the ball off his head, he could take a punch.

That issue's a classic. Good work.

So, if Obama disillusions his supporters and they, in turn, do not come out to vote it is McCain's fault?

-- Independence_2008

Did I anywhere in my comment talk about McCain directly, or say anything obama did was McCain's fault? What the eff are you talking about? Tell you what, if you want to pick a fight, just do it with yourself. If you want to comment on what I said, do that. Just don't inject things into the conversation I never said.

The only thing that McCain will do is try all he can to paint Obama as unprincipled and a flip flopper, while ignoring his own lack of principles and ability to turn a neat pirouette himself. And if people are honestly considering not voting for Obama, and letting McCain in, well, they'll deserve the country they get.

It's pretty simple Joan. His potential supporters get less enthused, which a lot of Salon has been involved in doing anyway. Not as many people vote, or try to get other people to vote, for him, so it's closer than it should be. Then, the Republicans cheat.

That's been the pattern for the last two elections. It's pretty simple, and as long as people don't kick and scream about the results, it'll work again. Easy.

Why would I want to do that? I don't hate America that much. I'm sure Bin Laden has a few good suggestions though. Al Queda had to love Bush getting "re-elected".

Really good film, even better book. Pretty good list, by the way, and yes, Munchausen is fantastic.

I don't care if he was spotlighting evils that existed, he did by supporting them. Jesse was a bad man, now he's dead. That's pretty much the end of the story - nothing good to see here. That means to me, he deserves every curse headed his way. To paraphrase Chuck D, Mother#$%@ him and John Wayne.

I can't believe anybody's complaining about a ban on smoking. Tell you what, when smokers are sticking fishbowls on their heads before they light up, they can smoke anywhere they want, as far as I'm concerned. It's the forcing other people to join their habit that I really find offensive, even crackheads don't do that.