"But as has been pointed out on Salon before, this same anonymity also frees people to express biases and hostility that propriety insists they conceal in their day-to-day lives."

This is true in most anonymous forums. You cannot be judged or shunned by the group (which, frankly, is what keeps many of us in-line on a day-to-day basis).

However, take an anonymous forum like "Television Without Pity." They discourage repetition and going off-topic. The moderators actually read the comments. And just this little bit of involvement brings out the best in its writers.

Some of the most thoughtfully divergent, respectful, and well-researched forums on the web are dedicated to The Gilmore Girls.

http://www.slate.com/id/2162470?nav=tap3

Haven't we done this already? Let's think back to 1980...

Fearing Iran-Shiite dominance in the Middle East, the U.S. backs Saddam and the Sunnis in Iraq. We knew the dangers but figured "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." And it was only a matter of time before these weapons were turned against civilians and U.S. soldiers.

Fast forward to 2007... Fearing Iran-Shiite dominance in the Middle East and rise of Al Qaeda in Iraq, the U.S. backs Sunni insurgents in Iraq. We know the dangers but figure "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." And it's only a matter of time before these weapons are turned against civilians and U.S. soldiers.

So...who will be the next "Butcher of Baghdad?"

TupeloN8, that was quite vulgar. And quite hilarious.

Of course Bush thinks "we're kicking ass." He sees progress because he really, really wants it.

At the national level there is reconciliation, but not nearly as fast as some would like. By the way, people who don't believe we should be in Iraq in the first place, there's no political reconciliation that can take place to justify your opinion. If you don't think Iraq is important, if you don't think it matters what the society looks like there, then there's not enough amount of reconciliation that will cause people to say, great, it's working. If you believe like I believe, that the security of the United States and the peace of the world depend upon a democracy in the Middle East and Iraq, then you can see progress. And I'm seeing it.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/09/20070904-10.html

Believing is seeing.

"When you hold a hearing, you tell our enemies how our system works," Turner said.

And by "enemies," he means "The American People."

"The Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police Service have the potential to help reduce sectarian violence, but ultimately the ISF will reflect the society from which they are drawn. Political reconciliation is the key to ending sectarian violence in Iraq."

Nuff said.

Or, at least, it should be enough. And everyone's saying it. What will it take for Bush to see the light?

Probably the voice of God.

Okay, this is all a little creepy, but let's play devil's advocate for a moment.

Think back to your childhood gym classes. For sports, you probably spent most of your time waiting on the sideline for your turn and got very little actual exercise. Wouldn't some kiddie gym equipment be better?

Maybe your kid's school, in an effort to keep up with No Child Left Behind, has eliminated recess and gym. You could sign your kid up for karate, ballet or soccer, but you don't really have the money and don't want to become one of those parents who overschedules their kids. Couldn't kiddie gym equipment help?

Yes, gym equipment is boring. Which is why Junior can watch TV while on the treadmill or stationary bike. Isn't this better than Junior just sitting in front of the TV eating Cheetos?

Suppose you live in a bad neighborhood. Maybe your local playground is better known for its drug deals than its basketball. Maybe you live in the exurbs where neighbors are far apart and there are no sidewalks. Could kiddie gym equipment be a safe way for Junior to get some regular exercise?

Can kiddie gym equipment be the lesser of evils? Can it be a part of a lifestyle with a healthy diet, group sports and free play?

"Another member of daddy's team? Good grief, how long is the 60-year-old-leadership virgin going to keep going back to his daddy's well to help him out of trouble?"

In defense, there's really nothing unusual about going back to the last time your party was in power to fill vacancies. It's just that the last time a Republican was president before Bush 43 was Bush 41.