"A filibuster is the right thing to do, period. For once, can't we just do the right thing? We're going down anyway - I say go down fighting."

The point of pursuing the filibuster, in this case, is to start winning for a change. It is the right thing to do, but this also has to be part of a consistent and aggressively applied campaign to combat an out-of-control executive branch. The stakes are very high. Bush is out to put people on the court who will "go along" - they aren't looking for conservatives, they're looking for lap dogs.

If the Republicans want to end filibuster as a possible legislative tool, the result should be a parliamentary shut down of all business that doesn't involve cleaning up corruption. The Democrats can do that if they are united. This will block further mischief from the Congress in the short run and, in the long run, make it possible to take control of the Congress (or at least one house) in the next election.

The viable threat of the Democrats taking back the Legislative branch will influence the few true Conservatives left to side with the Democrats to maintain the existence of the filibuster.

Taking control of Congress from the Republicans should be the highest priority. The filibuster is the best way to draw a line in the sand to make that happen.

Once the Republicans are out of power in Congress, we can pursue the impeachment of Bush and his cronies.

Adding to the court a justice who has already displayed an excessive deference to the Executive branch will decrease the likelihood that Bush will be held responsible for his criminal actions.

There was a time when I thought that there were people in both parties who would draw the line when someone from their group threatened the system itself. I no longer believe this. It is apparent that Republicans now serve the interests of the Republican party over the interests of the country. That being the case, we have only the opposition party to prevent a totalitarian catastrophe.

If they allow Bush to stack the court with lap dogs, we'll all end up wearing the leash.

While I have been a fan of Mr Keillor for many years and generally agree with his views on a wide range of topics, I have been somewhat disappointed recently with some of his comments. For example, in this current piece, he makes the case for requiring military service to become president. I have served in the military and I can tell you that it is made up of real human beings, just like those who have never served. Occasionally, those in the Services (a small percentage, I might add)experience the hell of combat and that can certainly create "focus". However, regardless of whether military service adds to one's development, the fact is that if this requirement had existed previously, Jefferson, Lincoln, and Franklin Roosevelt would not have been president. The country would not have been made better had we followed this course.

In a previous column, he laments that old Joe McCarthy was right about those Communists in our government. We liberals should feel, as a result, ashamed because we rejected that notion. Unfortunately, Mr McCarthy never uncovered a single Communist in the government, despite all of his rhetoric. Further, the examples of our country being sold out by actual Communists are extremely rare. Most of those involved in espionage in our government, have overwhelmingly been in it for the money.

I mention these two examples because they point to a common element - those of us of the Liberal persuasion want to have a decent, intelligent, adult conversation with those we oppose in the political arena so that we can work together to create a better society. And we're going out of our way to find some common ground, some shared area where we can make a connection with these folks.

The problem is: this won't work! It is no different than trying to argue with a drunk. The drunk just wants to argue, they don't want to reason. In this case, Conservatives are drunk with power. It's their turn to try all of the stupid things that you had hoped would remain isolated on those rabid radio talk shows.

Sad to say, there is no common ground. When being a Conservative means signing on to torture, fraud, wiretapping, and fiscal irresponsibility, it's no longer time to talk. They are the enemy.

Carol, I'm worried about you.

Like most cartoonists, you want to keep us guessing, so I'm always wondering if I'm going to be amused, agog, or down right scared when I read your work. Occasionally I'm grateful that I don't live within stabbing distance of you.

But now - a happy ending. I'm an atheist but I was raised as a baptist and I'm pretty sure that is one of the signs of the apocalypse. First Bush, then this. It must be a sign.

I'm assuming that this moment of cheerfulness is a passing fancy. Nevertheless, enjoy it while you can ...

Apparently someone fell asleep in 2003 and just woke up. In 2006, the neocons lost Congress. In 2008, they'll lose the White House. The thing that pisses off conservatives is that the anti-war movement has been right every step of the way. And the result is that conservatives are now seen as liars and incompetents. The anti-war movement may not be popular, but they have been right. Eventually enough people recognized that fact and now we're throwing out the morons who got us into the mess we're in.

As a veteran, I appreciate people standing up to the government when it's wrong. Being able to stand up and complain is one of the reasons this country is great. Remember, fighting for a good cause is a noble act - it's much preferable to being a "blank", nothing more than a placeholder.