Not unlike the internet bubble of the 90's, the real estate bubble of the 00's, or the tulip bubble of the 1600's. For 6+ years they've been able to not only have their way on just about everything, but make it seem as if there was a certain inevitability about it and futility in trying to oppose it. But like these bubbles, it was an illusion that fed upon itself, which stupid and weak-minded people fell for and continue to fall for (because that's what stupid and weak-minded people DO), and which was ALWAYS bound to burst sooner or later, in spectacular--and, to those stupid and weak-minded people, totally unexpected--fashion.

And while that bursting has yet to happen--but it will, fairly soon I expect, with plenty of fireworks for all to enjoy and celebrate over--it has been preceded by a succession of telltale outlying indicators and predictors of the impending bursting--which always precede the actual bursting of bubbles, and which smart and not so weak-minded people can generally detect if they know where to look and how to interpret it.

E.g. Bush and the GOP's steadily falling numbers, Dems taking back the house and senate last fall and the accompanying downfall of some of the GOP's top players, growing numbers of leading Repubs being investigated, indicted and convicted--or at least disgraced out of office--the failure of Social Security privatization, the Schiavo gambit and other top-shelf BushCo/GOP maneuvers, the public's rejection of neocons, neoconservatism, and the Iraq occupation, the defeat/firing of Bolton, Rumsfeld (and soon Wolfowitz) and other top Bush officials, the slow "conversion" of some of their previously staunchest supporters, the increasing willingness of their opponents to stand up to them, etc.

It's all there for everyone to see--if you're willing and able to see it.

This bubble's due for a major bursting. It simply cannot be sustained. Like all bubbles it was always a puffed-up illusion that was maintained by its own temporarily self-sustaining illusion. But like all bubbles it was parasitic, consuming far more than it produced, and perpetuatd through lies, illusion and manipulation, continually searching for news sources of exploitating when previous ones ran their course. Sooner or later, though, it was bound to run out of new sources of sustenance, and its wake of destruction would catch up with it, and reality would set in and burst it--as is the case with all bubbles. And perhaps the most apt bubble analogy for this administration--on multiple levels--is the Enron bubble. And we all know how that one ended.

If you don't believe me, kindly point out a previous bubble that never burst--spectacularly--or show me how this administration is not a bubble (i.e. more illusion than substance, based on lies, seemingly self-sustaining but actually parasitic, etc.).

Yup, I thought so.

As someone who rarely pays more than $10 (+ tip) for a haircut myself (buzz cut, actually, and it doesn't look half bad for the first month or so), I couldn't have said it myself.

Vapid twit. Nuff' said.

Although he could do with a better 'do himself, come to think of it.

But, of course, you're referring to the illusion of character, built up through careful PR cultivation, reinforced by a stupid and lazy lapdog press, and bought up by a credulous and vapid public, that I think Giuliani and Romney are currently the most visible and heinous examples of on the right. But this is nothing new. Nixon, Reagan, Gingrich and their stratgists figured it out long before Rove mastered it--having been taught it by them, of course.

I'm not convinced that the public is waking up to the myth of faux character. But it does appear to be noticing and upset over the distinct lack of competence. I doubt that it will ever make the fundamentally causal connection between the two, but if the latter temporarily leads to the fall or at least marginalization of the former, then I guess that that's better than nothing.

Oh stop it. Please. You are so full of it in your faux "wise man" BS. Bush is doomed. He may not be impeached or spend time in jail but his legacy is now and forever for shit. As bad a president as Reagan was, he did not even begin to compare to what a failure Bush has been across the board. You are employing the same self-satisfied but ultimately substanceless "analysis" that confidently predicted that Diebold or some October Surprise would keep the Repubs in control of congress last fall. You really do need to get over yourself.

Go back to looking in the mirror and practicing for your interview with The Politico or pretending to be Richard Stengel or Pat Healy. Your predictions are of no weight here.

Impeachment, that is.

And I'm not even a Simpsons viewer (probably the only living person in the USA who has never seen an episode). But I think that even Homer gets it by now.

Also, to Comey's further credit, let's not forget that he was the deputy AG who signed the letter approving Fitz's request for "plenary powers" to investigate, subpeona and compel testimony from anyone whom he deemed to be relevant to the Plame case, when he could have easily refused it. He was clearly either not as loyal a Bushie as the rest, or else just being smart.

Expect the subpoenas to start flying out the door in congress, which means that it's finally time for it to enact its repeal of that horrible Patriot Act provision that allows AGAG to name USA's, fire the current DC USA, and get Hogan to name his replacement, because his office will be in charge of serving all those subpoenas. And a Special Prosecuter needs to be named, as in NOW. And Fitz has got to be one of these. Watch it happen. This is war.