Joan, I have a suggestion, actually two.

One, stop asking for permission to speak. I know it's the polite thing to do, and I actually think it makes you look classy,and reasonable, but when you're debating Buchanan, who's neither, you may need to be as rude as he is.

Second, When someone like Buchanan lies about something, call them on it. Tell them to stop lying, or ask them why they feel the need to lie. Force them to defend the lie, and keep hammering on the lie. You did some of that last night, but let it go too quickly and easily. I kept hoping that you would ask Buchanan something along the lines of "Why should we believe the word of some anonymous clerk's, with a personal grudge's, word about anything?"

The nice thing about having Israel as an ally is it's almost like you don't need an enemy. They seem to have absolutely no trouble running espionage rings in our country to spy on us. If memory serves me, their is at least one American serving a life sentence for espionage, who was convicted of spying for Israel. I also seem to remember Israel trying to get him released into their custody, because in Israel he's considered a national hero.

Likewise, there are far more Congressmen who live in fear of an attack by AIPAC, then live in fear of an attack by terrorists.

I guess my point here is I don't see any real benefit in having Israel as an ally. I know I risk getting castigated here but, it's not a matter of "What have they done for us lately?". It seems more of a matter of "what have they ever done for us besides be a handy way of assuaging our collective guilt from WWII?".

Every week we have almost the same article posted here. Every week I get to read the same lame ass talking points that Fox uses. Every week I get to be reminded that "This is a center right country", which is complete bullshit, but what the hell, it's the sacred myth beloved by conservatives.

My grandfather was a GOP county chairman, and thank god he's been dead for nearly 40 years, because the GOP as it stands today would make him sick. The more of this crap I read the more I believe that this guy is one of the most weaselly GOPers out there. Just once I'd like to see him actually adress the question that he's claiming to answer, but I won't hold my breath.

Sure it's wrong to use the rights tactics against them, but it may be one of those times when we on the left get to tell them "America, love it, or leave it."

I can't help but think that this is an awful lot of attention to pay a pop-up book.