It’s not even enough to say that the neocon movement is merely unprincipled. We already know that they’re willing to break the law and violate the traditions of our democracy for their personal political gain and that of the Republican Party. As the Libby case shows, they have even lower standards than that. They will also break the law merely to satisfy personal grudges, as they did when they illegally disclosed Valerie Plame’s identity as a CIA agent.

And in commuting Libby’s sentence, I think their actions go beyond just rewarding a loyal political operative at the expense of the rule of law. Bush is also rubbing the nation’s face in the idea that he and his cronies are above the law. Bush is sending a message of humiliation to our entire legal system and the prosecutors, judges and juries who make it work. “I’m bigger than you,” he’s saying, “and I’m now going to put you in your place to teach you not to mess with me.”

This is imperial arrogance. Arrogance for it’s own sake. It’s pissing on the entire nation and all of its democratic institutions. Just because they can.

In answer to the question, “Why hasn’t anyone mounted a serious challenge to the administration’s assertions of being above the law?” the only appropriate answer is, “Because the Republicans in Congress will not allow it.”

The problem we have with a lawless administration is really a problem that the entire Republican Party has essentially become a subversive organization. The Republican Party leadership has been working overtime to reach just this stage, that they control enough of Congress and enough of the judiciary that, as long as they also control the executive branch, they’re able to substitute any partisan whim at all for our constitution and the laws of this land. As long as the GOP has a veto-proof majority in Congress, the Constitution, the laws of the land, the traditional balance of power, etc., has all been rendered moot. We’re now being governed by Republican decree.

The Republicans in Congress can piss and moan all they want about Bush administration excesses. Until they’re willing to back it up with meaningful action, they’re part of the problem. Let’s be clear about this.

What a load of bullshit. I say this as a Bay Area resident and sort-of Giants fan. Poor, poor Barry Bonds. He grew up in a millionaire family (his father being the famous Giants ballplayer Bobby Bonds) and never suffered a day of want. What does Barry Bonds have to be bitter about, except perhaps living under the perpetual cloud of resentment that being a selfish, arrogant asshole inevitably creates?

Please don’t insult any of us who don’t like Bonds by suggesting that it has anything to do with race. It has everything to do with his attitude, and also, quite likely, that deserving sports heros, like, say, Reggie Jackson, somehow manage to come through in the clutch. Bonds is rarely there in the clutch. His post-season record is mediocre at best. The Giants will never win a World Series with Bonds on the roster, a fact that is now virtually carved in stone. Typically, Barry’s quest for the home run record will make no difference to his team, and has almost everything to do with himself. Why should I care?

It would be more than fitting for both Bud Selig and Hank Aaron to read about Bonds breaking the home run record after the fact, from some used copy of a sports page, perhaps in a barber shop or Jiffy Lube waiting room. The fact is, with his attitude, his performance in the clutch, and especially, his cheating with steroids that neither Ruth nor Aaron could or would take advantage of, Bonds has done as much to diminish the game of baseball as anyone. If most people don’t care about Bonds, it’s not the fault of society, the sports writers, the fans, or anyone except Barry himself. Barry’s supposed plight is nothing but the result of a self-perpetuating cycle. Don’t embarrass yourself by making excuses for him.