Way more than one thing bothers me about this affair. But maybe, just maybe, the senators abandoning Gonzales are actually putting their country ahead of their party. I can dream, can't I?

It's well known that Blackwater is owned, operated, and supported by hard-right-wing Christofascist neocon authoritarian Republicans. It makes George and Dickie feel all warm inside to have their own little private army. In fact I'll bet a branch of Blackwater will be guarding the Bush family ranch in Paraguay after he slinks out of office.

But what about when a Democratic administration takes power? We will have a republican political opposition backed up with THEIR own private army. Intimidation, anyone? Does anybody think Blackwater will carry out their duties in a non-partisan, nonpolitical manner? How long before the RNC hires them? It makes Nixon's plumbers look quaint and friendly by comparison.

This is an American version of the Brownshirts. It will end badly.

Whatever motive lies behind Inhofe's actions, it isn't about trying to protect global warming naysayers...the NIH doesn't do climatological or atmospheric research. There are topics that are vry indirectly linked such as tropical disease incidence, but I think in this case, follow the money. And, as pointed out earlier, if it's good for the general public, Inhofe is automatically against it.

I'm surprised there's not more press about the new generation of turbocharged diesel engines. I recently purchased a new Mercedes E320 Bluetec diesel and couldn't be happier. I know it can't compete with a Prius in terms of mileage, but here's a large, safe, heavy (4000 pounds), roomy sedan with 200hp, 400 lb-ft of torque, gobs of performance, 30 to 40 mpg, and a smooth, quiet, non-smelly engine that nobody can believe is a diesel. Why aren't diesels more common? It seems like a no-brainer compared to the complexity and weight of a battery-based hybrid. Scaled down and placed in a 2000-lb car, this technology should yield 60 or more mpg.

First, I'm not a fan of this plan. But to respond to those who talk about a black market springing up: you also have to look at the loopholes that would be closed. In our current system, hundreds of billions are lost because of "under the table" payments for labor, as well as illegal transactions in the sex and drug trade.

Under a consumption tax system, these loopholes would be closed. Drug dealers, pimps, and REAL criminals like overseas investors -- Dick Cheney and everyone else who makes an illegal, tax-free income would pay their fair share at the cash register.

I'll betcha the net result would be positive...it would take a MASSIVE black market to make up for closing the income tax loopholes.

I think many of us are working with the wrong set of assumptions. We can't figure out how an administration can be so incompetent in its planning, strategy, and execution to have left us with the situation as it is in Iraq.

I submit again: it makes complete sense if you change your assumptions and accept that an Iraq in chaos, an Afghanistan unresolved, an endless occupation, and the threat of war with Iran is EXACTLY what the administration and its masters want. These conditions work to their financial and power advantage. It has enabled:

- an historic transfer of wealth from middle class taxpayers to defense and energy corporations,

- the concentration of power in the executive, including the ability to control information and field its own domestic paramilitary force,

- providing Israel protection and influence all out of proportion to its true importance.

No, everything is proceeding according to plan. That said, I still think Bush is an incompetent fool. He is admirably fulfilling his role as marionette.

I've read both of Obama's books (the foirst one is the better of the two, written before he was in public life), and this speech sounds like it was written by him. These are his thoughts, expressed in eloquent language.

Can any of us imagione McCain, Bush, Cheney, or any of that bunch saying anything remotely like this? They certainly don't have the language skills to write it themselves, or anywhere near the oratorical skills to say it with effect. But more importantly they are small-minded, nasty men who live in a black/white good/evil us/them world. They could never THINK with the generous spirit shown by Obama. It would come out mean and punitive and fearful.

This man has the potential to be a GREAT president.

When my 11-year-old daughter came downstairs late at night with a fever, Roman Holiday had just started (the 1953 classic with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck). She cuddled up against me in the dark and spent the next two hours entranced; ten years later it remains one of her favorites. The innocent, bittersweet romance, the poignancy of a runaway princess, a pinch of slapstick, and a truly lovely ending scene would make it perfect for anyone older than 9 or 10.

It also reminds us why Americans were once welcome guests in foreign lands.

Another vote for October Sky, Fly Away Home, and Matilda.

And for those willing to absorb some ancient history about race relations, how about Look Who's Coming for Dinner? (Hepburn/Tracy/Poitier) and A Patch of Blue (Sidney Poitier/Shelley Winters). Another classic for adventurous kids is the Hepburn/Bogart classic African Queen

The recent Planet Earth series in HD has without a doubt the best nature photography ever.

The republicans will lose the appeal, and will take it to the state supreme court, and lose there, and will take it to the federal supreme court, and lose there, and they will STILL be claiming that the election was stolen.

NOTHING will provide closure to these chooms, because they are dishonest and don't give a damn about the actual election results. They see a close election as an opportunity to gum up the works for Obama, and to hell with the will of the people of Minnesota.