You have summed up my fears.

Suppose we grant that what Dodd is doing is kabuki: then why is he doing it?

Possibly, if he is one of the good guys, to create a symbol of defiance for educative purposes: to inspire, to highlight, to point out what some might not otherwise see.

Now think how potent that symbol might become if Obama came in to join him. And Biden. And others.

Or maybe they calculate that winning the presidency is all that will save us and do not want to distract from that?

Bebop-o: did you ever hear that song by Bruce Cockburn called "Lovers in a Dangerous Time"? It keeps running through my head today:

Don't the hours grow shorter as the days go by

You never get to stop and open your eyes

One day you're waiting for the sky to fall

The next you're dazzled by the beauty of it all

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time

These fragile bodies of touch and taste

This vibrant skin -- this hair like lace

Spirits open to the thrust of grace

Never a breath you can afford to waste

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Sometimes you're made to feel as if your love's a crime --

But nothing worth having comes without some kind of fight --

Got to kick at the darkness 'til it bleeds daylight

When you're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time

And we're lovers in a dangerous time

Lovers in a dangerous time

it is hard to decide which is more scary: that they believe what they are saying or that they don't believe it. As the song puts it, though, any way you look at it you lose.

Where is Dan Rather when you need him, muttering: Courage :)

the idiot at least is honest and so there is some hope.

I understand your point about Obama. Maybe Dodd has decided to take the hit for the cause, then? I will make the symbolic stand while you guys charge on? Desperate times.

I honestly don't know what to decide on this, and am still trying to think it through. And I give weight to RMP's input based on his past posts and so forth. Thanks for your input, too.

http://kennedy.senate.gov/newsroom/press_release.cfm?id=3e414e2d-8473-434e-afce-077e56ac1338

(sp)