It's vaguely reminiscent of the "out of the loop" defense utilized during the Iran-Contra scandal. Everyone around the president was engaged in criminal behavior, but we need not blame the president directly because he had no idea what was going on and no clue what the top members of his White House team were doing.

Well, I suppose he figure that if it worked for Daddy, it'll work for him. His whole life seems to be a competition with the old man anyway, so let's kick the oedipal game up a notch.

As for insulation, as various German and Japanese officers found out the hard way after WWII, ignorance really is no excuse. A "wartime President" is responsible for his subordinates' actions. There is no such thing as "insulation". But that, of course, assumes that someone is actually going to try to hold these clowns responsible. Those currently holding office should be impeached and then the whole lot should be remanded to the ICC, but I don't think I'll hold my breath.

Regardless of the results produced, giving the cost of the defense budget as a percentage of GDP is of no import. 4%. 0.4%, or 40%, we still spend as much as the rest of the world put together. That's far too much sand to be pouring down this particular rathole. I'd much rather see it wasted on health care, education, fixing roads & bridges, any number of things.

I'm constantly amazed at just how inept a bunch of criminals this malAdministration is. We now have list of the indictable, I can't wait for the US court system to give them just what they deserve. Maybe they'll get to it before these people all die of old age.

It's worth noting that neither the Military Commissions Act nor preemptive pardons have any effect outside of the US. With any luck these guys (and Condi) will need to keep watching over their shoulders every time they leave the US to visit a civilized country.

Add up his errors, and we see a Republican candidate whose problem is not with words but with facts.

Like Saitzak and others, I really have to wonder about McCain's apparent inability to retain facts.

Assuming the problem is real and not just his ignoring inconvenient facts, is it the opening sign of a deeper physical problem? It could be Alzheimer's, a circulation problem, or symptoms of damage caused by a hard knock on the head as he unassed an aircraft 40 years ago.

Last year we couldn't leave because things were going so badly for the Iraqis, this year we can't leave because things are going so well.

Obviously we need to get to a position where things just moderately suck, then we can get our people out. That much I understand.

The part that confuses me is this; if we're waiting for a stable government where conditions are just moderately awful, just why did we depose Saddam Hussein and kill tens of thousands of people and spend hundreds of billions of dollars in the process?

but the eyes are still wide shut and they've still got their fingers in their ears whenever anyone who might actually have looked comes to visit.

I agree. I first read "Slaughterhouse Five" in high school and really enjoyed it. But I read it as a kid does, for the story.

I re-read it not too long ago (now I'm in my 50s) and I think I might be beginning to understand it. And his friend's wife was really right about the subtitle- "The Children's Crusade", although I think that I didn't appreciate it too much when I was in the military.

ONe thing woudl help if the next president asked Congress to reinstate the FCC "fair and accuracy" clause in their regulations, and limit the number of air waves that can be bought by one woner in an area.

I think you're referring to what was known as the "Fairness Doctrine", which never guaranteed accuracy. It only made sure that individuals or groups who disagreed with opinions stated on a station, and were considered to be "responsible", had a chance at getting some time on-air to rebut them.

The US bankrolls Israeli expansion into the West Bank (well OK, China really does, but we get to borrow the money and pay interest). If Junior really cared about expansion he could imitate his Dad and let the Israelis know that if they create any new settlements in the West Bank, or continue expanding existing settlements, cash from the US dries up - including private donations.

I don't think I'll hold my breath, and regardless of who wins in November, I doubt that we'll see a change.

As for Limbaugh's chances of facing charges, Jennings said, "We have no intention of prosecuting Rush Limbaugh because lying through your teeth and being stupid isn't a crime."

I'd say Mr. Jennings is a fine judge of character. And, like most people there are times when I'm very glad that second thing isn't a crime per se, although it's involved in most criminal acts.

I didn't notice that any URLs were provided. You can get to the Pharyngula site at:

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/

and Richard Dawkins' site is at:

http://richarddawkins.net/

The "saucisses grillées" (AKA "grilled hot dogs") in Paris really need to be tasted to be believed!

Why should he care? After all they've had their "accountability moment". The Dems are certainly unwilling to hold them accountable.

I would like them to have another one in front of the ICC, but somehow, I just can't see that happening. But is it to much to hope for that a Spanish judge will issue a warrant that will at least prevent them from leaving the country to travel to any place civilized, a la Pinochet?