Tom, I don't think I should have to "sneak under the noses" of the radical right wing, or of anyone else, in order to have a free and fair discussion of the occupation of Iraq. I take it you are suggesting that the comments I submitted for review at Free Republic should've been more subtle in order to get past their ideological censors. Actually, the comments I sent them were very subtle (I thought). For example, I expressed sincere support for the idea of Laura Bush going to Iraq in order to throw a spotlight on the many great things she said are happening there; and I even noted that the "liberal media" would be reluctantly compelled to follow her and the Twins outside the fortified walls of the Green Zone.

The fact is, vigorous discussions of issues such as those that take place regularly at Salon are (as near as I can tell) simply not allowed within the right wing blogosphere; and to the extent you suggested otherwise, my recent experience indicates you are wrong. Through the radical right wing looking-glass there is a lot of talk about "freedom" (often in hateful little posts derogatory of liberals and Democrats) but very little tolerance for any actual exercise of it. It reminds me very much of a certain discussion between Peter Fonda, Dennis Hopper, and Jack Nicholson, so long ago, in the middle of a very similar war.

Finally, your original suggestion of engaging the enemy rather than preaching to the choir was not directed toward me, and was not made in response to anything I had written. I merely happened to read what you wrote, and thought it sounded like a good idea.

I was moved to act by your suggestion a few weeks back that letter writers stop preaching to the choir and start trying to reach the enemy -- specifically, at Free Republic. I signed up, was sent a password, and "submitted for review" my first two comments. I suggested that Laura Bush lead a media tour of the many good things happening in Iraq that never get reported here; and the other had to do with WMD being the rationale for the invasion. Pretty standard stuff, as Dr. Evil would say.

Neither comment to my knowledge ever appeared on Free Republic. Perhaps there was some technical glitch; but it appeared to me that even sober well-reasoned challenges to the radical right ideology simply are not welcome there. Indeed my impression is that the comments that do appear on Free Republic tend to be along the lines of Bush Jr.: great? or greatest? In my brief trip through the looking glass the only criticism of Bush-Cheney I saw is that they are not radical enough (e.g., will not let the military "go savage" in Iraq).

My understanding is that most or all other right wing sites do not allow any comments or feedback at all. I would welcome being shown to be incorrect on anything I've said here; but until then I will confine my web viewing to those sites where free speech is permitted -- specifically Salon, whose permitting of free expression I cherish with renewed respect.

Andrew, thanks for this extremely well-written, laugh-out-loud hilarious, and totally right-on piece. Made even more enjoyable by the breaking news: Montana is now official (victory!); Rumsfeld is out; and Macaca is Sore Loserman '06. With Dick "Cakewalk" Cheney busy slaughtering captive birds in another canned "hunt", Junior is left home alone to begin the painful task of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. I'm sorry that I missed Michelle Malkin, who at least is pleasant to look at; but Claire McCaskill thanking Rush Limbaugh almost made this nation's six-year nightmare worth it. Almost. (Except for the half-million killed so that Rove could call Junior a wartime president; and if I were in Iran right now, I would be very nervous) But regardless what happens, this is a beautiful day. Peace out!

Way to go, America! Things are looking up, after all. Nicely done. Carry on.

I hope the Dems win big. More precisely, I hope the GOP loses HUGE. So much so, that even though I do not happen to live in a district or state that matters, I will go stand in line today for what I truly hope is not a meaningless electronic charade. In any event, I am not an I Told You So person, so let me say now, that if today is not all we hope it will be, here are three forms of civil disobedience that might possibly be used to force the small red states to give up their electoral superpowers and thereby bring democracy to America:

1. Stop Voting. Blue America, by turning its unified back on a fraud in which the 450,000 residents of Wyoming and its red brethren are given the same number of senators and up to four times the electoral college weight of California's 34 million, might de-legitimize the whole system and thereby force a move toward true democracy (one person, one vote).

2. General Strike. In the old Republic, when the Roman plebes had had enough with the selfishness and chicanery of the patrician ruling class, they would literally go sit on a hill outside the City. It was called "secessio" from which our words secede and secession are derived; and it was the forerunner of the European general strike. Perhaps it is time here.

3. Vote in Other Districts. If large numbers of voters who live in blue cities within red states were to register and vote in one or more carefully chosen suburban or rural district(s), our congressional delegations would more closely reflect and respect the wishes of ALL the voters in each state. If it's good enough for Ann Coulter, it should be good enough for us.

The absence of democracy, thus a Yoo-nited States government that neither reflects or respects the wishes of its people, is seriously harming America and the rest of the world.