Before Christ's Mass, this season of holy days was Saturnalia.

If this sort of foolishness is what it means to be a good Christian today, then the gods help us because the arenas may one day fill with new martyrs.

I think I too am beginning to feel that impending head explosion too.

Just an hour ago, the AP reports: "The enemy — while weakened and under great pressure — is still capable of global reach, still possesses the determination to kill more Americans — and still trying to do so with increasingly powerful weapons," Rumsfeld said at the National Press Club.

We are winning and will win. Democracy and Freedom ring. The enemy is not defeated and terror lurks with unimaginable horrors. Take heed.

Did 9/11 change everything? More or less than Hiroshima? the Holocaust? the bloodied fields of Flanders? Gettysburg? etc.

Anyway, I really appreciate Mr. Blumenthal's thoughtful analysis; but I think that the politburo has mastered just what it needs to maintain power with a sufficient democratic majority here.

The conviction does not mean that anyone has got that Bush SOB (see http://www.ericberne.com/games/games_people_play_NIGYSOB.htm).

So, please Mr. President, just pardon the faggot (in the schoolyard sense) and let's save the taxpayers some money.

Manliness is to rise above the bickering and the chattering and to lead; to stand up and command a following by his presence, his example, and his few well chosen words.

While the liberal dawdles to try to understand or try to explain or debate, the man goes out and gets what's needed done.

Disappointment and outrage result because we imagine our standards higher than demonstrated by this attack. Blackwater may not put the best face on American good intentions.

The Fallujah hangings were outrageous because we were struck by the barbarity of the other – we somehow expected no less, but we are still repulsed and saddened by it.

So, I suppose that once resident in hell Misters Bush and Cheney will meet many disappointed suicide bombers looking for their virgins. I do not think that Loneliness will be a problem although they may not enjoy the company of so many Democrats.

Insight? Incite?

So now that I am once more upset and disturbed, what do you propose that we do?

In the past, I have fired off a few letters to congressional reps and even to Mr. Bush; however, I knew that was for my own venting satisfaction. And U.S. still went to war, etc.

I bought a pocket copy of the Constitution to make sure that I could recall the details of the 1st & 4th amendments.

Otherwise, I am privileged to see the tidal wave coming; but there is no place to hide; and it makes me wonder if ignorance is not better?

You are a bright guy with some means to get out a message. Can you put together a piece, maybe just a civics class reminder, on what scope for actions we have?

Thank you.

Sarah Palin may not have been intended to be actual VP candidate, as suggested. But, now that McCain will be required to withdraw from the campaign, what is the Republican Party recourse? (1) Quick establishment of Romney-Huckabee ticket, or (2) Necessary decision to offer continuity in these extremely troubled times of Cheney-[TBD] ticket.

I feel sorry for Sarah Palin and the rest of us.

As an act of grace, let Google buy both GM and Ford, take the Fed loans, and undertake this Big Effort to get to Universal Hybrids, Solar Power, etc. etc.

Incredible situation and I agree with Mr. Leonard's characterization of this as amazing opportunity.

Maybe there is a link I'm missing to an article that explains how a fiscal year budget of approximately $100 Billion has this $42 Billion gap??

Is this gap over multiple years?

When I look at the Governor's proposed revenue/expenditure table (AKA budget) at http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/pdf/BudgetSummary/SummaryofMajorChangesbyMajorProgramAreas.pdf on page 2, I cannot see this gap?

I do think it is worth noting the non-discretionary budget item of "Proposition 98 (education)" spending of 39% of budget. Just to be clearer when I wonder where the money goes. I guess I have to search for where the money comes from too (income, sales, sin, property, & fees).

Further, the amounts from the just-signed Federal "stimulus" bill targeted to California are targeted to what time frames at what amounts?

Otherwise, the back & forth seems like a lot of politcal posturing - where the reality of the differences are clouded over by the more provocative proxy issues.