Joe Conason's brilliant idea that we should drop the embargo against Cuba so that we can purchase their ethanol correctly blames the hardliners in Miami who will be or are against any rapprochement. Their bitter and blind hatred for anything resembling normalized relations with Cuba, added to their perceived clout in Florida, multiplied by the fulminations from their Republican cohorts, will all add up to more of the same: a paralyzed energy policy.

Just as the Israeli lobby (AIPAC, et al) keeps politicians away from any logical policy of even-handedness with the Palestinians/Arabs, so will most politicians decline to endorse this sensible energy initiative with Cuba...just because it might make them vulnerable to charges of being pro-Cuban/pro-Communist by the Republicans.

I long for a leader who will do what's right and what's best for America...regardless of the forces of darkness and doom; that leader will have America's best interests at heart.

I hate to deflate the big balloon of bluster being inflated by the Dems right now, but, this election could turn out to be a wash. The Republican slime machine hasn't even been turned on yet, so, there's really no way to predict the future for Democratic gains in the House or Senate, really.

If Obama is perceived as a strong leader and McCain as Bush-II, then I think the prospects are brighter for significant gains and minimal losses for the Democrats; however, given the historical Lee Atwater-ish complexion of the Republican attack machine, anything is possible.

Can we increase our majority? Absolutely! Is it a given that we will? Absolutely not! Anyone who tells you that it is a given is probably naive, overly-optimistic or seriously-deluded.

I practically salivate at the prospect of even more Democrats elected to the U.S. Senate this fall. Even more than that prospect, though, is the very real possibility that the Dems can tell the excreble Joe Lieberman to stuff it. His propensity to denigrate Democrats and laud Republicans non-stop makes him, imho, about as welcome as a case of genital herpes.

Should Democrats manage to elect a larger majority that would make Mr. Lieberman's presence unnecessary, I hope they will show him the same "courtesy" he showed Democrats: the door.

Let him caucus with his soul-mates...the egregious Republicans.

George W. Bush is not intelligent enough nor Machiavellian enough to have the requisite abilities required to execute such egregious and diabolical abuses over the last eight years. Obviously, he had massive help; numerous hands were up his butt, moving his mouth and making those pronouncements.

Begin with the sinister and duplicitous Dick Cheney, add to him the scurrilous Donald Rumsfeld, Doug Feith, Alberto Gonzalez and the rest of that cabal of clowns and the true depth of the moral morass that is the Bush White House is only slightly plumbed.

As for whether or not any member of that nest of snakes will ever get justice, the Democrats seem unlikely to press the issue. Eventually, I'm sure, the seepage from the Bush maladministration will finally surface and his legacy will be assured: liar, bastard and vile poseur.

Admittedly, Obama was not my choice for the Democratic nomination. I didn't care for his thin resume on a host of issues; he just didn't strike me as "ready for primetime." However, he has the requisite number of votes to secure the nomination, therefore, he gets it...barring some unseen mishap or tragedy. I like his energy, enthusiasm, ideas and plans.

John McCain, on the other hand, has much more experience overall than Barack Obama, his service to the country is inspiring, but, I feel that he lacks the vision, demeanor and intelligence to go with that experience. He's old, forgetful and seems just plain mean.

So, it comes down to a choice of the lesser of two weevils, as it were. Experienced but nasty or inexperienced but promising. I wish that I had other options this November.

Rosenkavalier wrote: "Weren't there just polls released that the overwhelming majority of Americans favor an even-handed approach to the Israeli-Palestinean conflict as opposed to our outright pandering to Israel? -- Rosenkavalier"

Congratulations. You have just stated the hugely obvious fact about why the U.S. is hated in the Middle East and with moderate Muslim countries worldwide.

The NeoCon/Republican fealty to anything Israeli is mindboggling. Jews in America, backed by their substantial wealth, are the force driving this bus to Hell, as well.

As you so correctly stated, when America approaches the Palestinian/Israeli problem even-handedly, then, and ONLY then, will the situation begin to resolve itself.

Handing Israel a blank check and giving unwavering support for their pogroms against the Palestinians only enables Israel and makes us the power behind their actions.

Israel is not America's best friend. Israel spies on us. Israel uses us for their own ends with no regard for how America is perceived across the region and the world.

I, for one, would like to see AIPAC, Joe Lieberman and the rest of the Israeli agents banned and barred from political activity in the US; they only cause us grief because of their one-sided view.