I've blown up my lead balloon already for today, so I'll merely observe that the Sunstein and his cohort evidently haven't read James Thurber's modern fables*, especially the one with this lapidary moral:

You might as well fall flat on your face as lean over too far backward.

* James Thurber, "The Bear Who Let It Alone", The New Yorker (29 April 1939)

Leges Sine Moribus Vanae*

That's what I'm on about!

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* Motto of the University of Pennsylvania, based on a line from Horace’s III.24 (Book 3, Ode 24), quid leges sine moribus vanae proficiunt? ("of what avail empty laws without [good] mores?") From 1756 to 1898, the motto read Sine Moribus Vanae. When a wag pointed out that the motto could be translated as "Loose women without morals," the university quickly changed the motto to literae sine moribus vanae ("Letters without morals [are] useless"). In 1932, all elements of the seal were revised, and as part of the redesign it was decided that the new motto "mutilated" Horace, and it was changed to its present wording, Leges Sine Moribus Vanae ("Laws without morals [are] useless")

[...] By having Pelosi and Ford as "guests," Netroots Nation has undercut this worthy goal and rewarded those who ought to be punished.

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I'm inclined to agree with you.

But your comment prompts me to reflect on the seemingly similar approaches employed by both Netroots Nation and Strange Bedfellows. Superficially, both unapologetically reach across conventional political boundaries to form new alliances and alignments-- in the latter's case, for the purpose of effectively opposing those who wantonly undermine the rule of law, and reversing the pernicious effects of their depredations.

However, there's a fundamental difference in the crux of the alliances contemplated by Strange Bedfellows. SB presents a straightforward platform of reform, and political strategies to further the cause described above. Quite simply, they welcome anyone who will, in good faith, make common cause to address these core issues, regardless of the party's political affiliation or past history.

I daresay even Ralph Nader could become a Strange Bedfellow.

Netroots Nation's welcoming of the likes of Pelosi and Ford as honored guests, on the other hand, does seem to confer 'roots cred on these despicable reptiles. This form of post-partisanship proceeds by declaring a general amnesty, in which it is forbidden to view the Other as Part of the Problem. Instead, we must recognize that we are all equally Part of the Problem, ergo Part of the Solution, and no one is better than anyone else.

I support Strange Bedfellows because it doesn't piously require anyone to check their skepticism, cynicism, or hard feelings at the door; all that is necessary is to keep an open mind, and watch the plainclothes.

Whereas the forced egalitarianism of the Netroots Nation approach, which requires treating warmongers and renegades as honored and distinguished guests, strikes me as a creepy variation of the Special Olympics: Everyone's a Winner!

I appreciate your response to my comment.

I signed ondelette's letter too. Keep your fingers crossed...

We should stay neutral and let Israel take out palestine. Problem solved.

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Seventy years ago on this very day, I'll warrant, Grandpa Tiberius scrawled this note in smeary lead pencil to the Podunk Picayune:

We should stay neutral and let Germany take out the Jews. Problem solved.

It's times like this when I wish this comments board would allow the "thumbs up" emoticon. Nicely done.

Frankly, I never did think all that highly of those limey bastards. So I'm really not surprised that they stabbed us in the back like this. But I got so caught up in that whole Coalition of the Wilting deal that I guess I was thinking with my trigger finger.

But I gotta say, I'm seein' the French in a whole new light. In fact, tell ya what-- I'm goin' down the basement as soon as I finish this comment and dig out my woodcut of the Marquis de Lafayette.

And after reading this, I don't think I'll be able to even so much as look at a Spotted Dick again for the rest of my life.

PS: When I get mad, I stay mad.