"I fully appreciate that British public opinion has been frustrated by sometimes our lack of progress" in Iraq and Afghanistan, McCain told reporters outside Brown's official residence in London.

'Lack of progress'? But but I thought the great Bush lie was that Iraq was doing fantastic and nearly all the goals had been met (or moved).

So, he lies to us but tells the truth to the Brits?

The Michigan early primary was a republican decision.

Our once republican, and lover of Gerry Ford, Jennifer Granholm signed the legislation that created the mess because she backs Hillary Clinton.

Why did the re-vote die? Republicans. Pure and simple.

Why did Florida move their primary? Republicans. Why did their re-vote die? Republicans.

Here's hoping that the republicans have done enough damage and that at least the democrat candidate that they have chosen does end up beating John 'McSame as Bush' for president but I predict a vicious voting day in November with MUCH dirty tricks and nasty crap from the republicans. Looking at John McCain, oops, John McSame, he really needs all the help that he can get...

Remember the investigations that happened after the crash outside Dallas in the middle of a huge thunderstorm. They one that is touted as 'creating doppler radar'?

Pilots are only human and they were found to be influenced in a bad way by the pressures of their job, of the airlines need to stick to schedule. Yes the crash of a plane would cost millions if not billions but the lack of a major crash has built a culture of hubris in the airline industry.

Southwest is found to have not inspected their planes. So what. There hasn't been a major crash since 2001. What are the chances of it happening now?

United is found to have inspected their 747's with equipment that wasn't calibrated properly. So what. There hasn't been a major crash since 2001. What are the chances of it happening now.

I would think that given today's regulatory environment and the influence of lobbying groups and industry whining on regulators, that it's only a matter of time before we see a major crash again like we saw in the 70's.

Remember Rumsfeld's 'known knowns' and 'known unknowns' speech? Right now we know that the airlines are cutting corners we just don't know how far and how many and we know they pressure pilots too.

For those that are afraid to fly, I'm not saying that the very next plane that you ride will crash. The chances of any one plane crashing are still significantly low. Airline maintenance and regulatory compliance issues just make it incredibly slightly more possible that it could happen. Stack the deck subtly but there are inherent risks in everything...

shouldn't this rather conclusively demonstrate the complete folly, the serious dangers, of continuing to vest in the government powers to spy on and collect data about Americans with no oversight?

But I get a blank stare and the words 'freedom isn't free' whenever I bring this up to most people over the last few years.

They are like they have been programmed to give up everything except their Fox News and American Idol because 'they are trying to kill us'.

The absurdity is astounding. What manner of mind control has created this attitude of near complete implicit trust in the leaders of our country. I have been mortally wounded by the reactions of everyday people to the excesses and excuses of this maladministration. It has to be in the water. No wonder people tell me that I don't drink enough water...

I'm reminded of the lyrics of Pink Floyd from their fantastic album Animals, only the sheep haven't woken yet and there isn't any indication that they will soon... Why should the government and the 'blue dog' democrats and Bush enablers fear the wrath of the people. They appear contented and under control.