In a National Review article he wrote back in November 2002 Bennett stated that he voted for Hubert Humphrey for president in 1968 because he thought his policies were right and because he thought Nixon was corrupt. I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that Bennett didn't begrudge Woodward and Bernstein THEIR Pulitzers for exposing Richard Nixon's many wrongdoings.

Interestingly, Bennett also went on to say, "A decade and a half later, President Clinton would come to represent the same corruption that Nixon had: abuse of law, cynicism, a win-at-any-cost approach, lying." 'Scuse me, Mr. Bennett, but that description seems to fit George Bush a whole lot better than it fit Bill Clinton!

Given this season's plot line (corruption and deceit in the Oval Office), I'm thinking next season will revolve around a small group of Americans (numbering in the millions, maybe) plotting to drop a bomb on Congress on one of those rare days when it's actually in session. Chloe will get wind of the plot from some obscure blog and mention it casually to Jack. Jack will spend the entire day making half-hearted attempts to warn Congress but they're so busy trying to figure out how to give the oil companies a few more tax breaks that they won't listen. Jack decides he's hungry and heads for a nearby restaurant for a bite to eat and a much-needed potty break. BOOM. Fade to black.

What a shame that it took a Comedy Central star to stand up there and say what every journalist should have been saying and writing for years. (And what a pair of stones it took for Colbert to do it standing just a few feet away from the man he was skewering.) If the media is ignoring this story it's either because they're too damned embarrassed to admit that a comedian/satirist did what they haven't had the guts to do or because their big business bosses have forced them to become nothing more than another cog in the GOP propaganda machine.

To "Mary E", who said "Please, people. If you must have a purebred, go to the rescues first (there are many reputable ones out there now) and not the want ads.":

Good advice! As a member of the Irish Setter Club of Ohio and its parent club, the Irish Setter Club of America, I speak from personal experience when I say that both clubs have a very robust rescue program and, thanks to the internet, people can learn about and see each and every one of our rescues, all of whom are deserving of a good home. (I've been webmaster of the ISCO web site for years and by far the web page that gets the most "hits" and inquiries is our rescue page.) I'm guessing most, if not all, of the purebreed dog clubs out there have taken similar advantage of the internet.

To "Blackpaw" who said "Marley is a Lab ... sheese any big dog in an apartment is trouble unless you can walk them several times a day. I note that Rex looked like a large dog too."

I don't know about Rex, but I read "Marley and Me" and Marley was most definitely not confined to an apartment. He spent his early years in Florida in a house with a good sized yard to run around in. He and his family then relocated to Pennsylvania where he had acres of land to run around in. Sadly, Marley was purchased from a "backyard breeder" - the father of the litter was completely crazed and the people who decided to breed him to their bitch should have had their heads examined! If you want a purebreed and can't or won't go the rescue route, for God's sake do some research and buy your puppy from a reputable breeder - there are lots of them out there! (And whatever you do, don't buy a puppy from a pet store - each and every one of them comes straight from a puppy mill.)

Last but not least, if you love dogs, as I do, by all means read "Marley and Me" -- it's laugh-out-loud funny and lump-in-the-throat touching with nary a trace of smarminess. I've been involved in dog rescue for years and, believe me, most people would have dumped Marley at the nearest pound. Grogan not only has a wonderful way with words, but he never gave up on Marley and to me that speaks volumes for the character of the man.