White House history suggests that sooner or later Scooter's gonna skate. No problem there. Sure it's a bummer, but it's hardly a suprise considering the m.o. of BushCo. The timing of Joe Wilson's civil suit should prove even more fascinating but is dependant on the Dems controlling Congress after the midterms (no gimme despite Mr.Manjoo's reassurances re the dodgy Diebold "voting" computers) and Scooter facing Fitzgerald's five counts in court next January.

Using selected evidence from Scooter's court case, Wilson could not only salt away a lazy few mill. in punitive damages, but simultaneously cause untold collateral damage to the Administration,and by association the GOP, by exposing furthur the Nixonian nature of their paranoia, and the manifest ugliness of their political souls.

Let's cut to the chase. He who controls unscrutinised vote-counting computers, controls the outcome. Until electoral accoutability is achieved, a task successfully managed by many countries, the fix stays in.

As for Farhad Manjoo, despite his journalistic depth, I guess sites that attract their share of intellectual studs like Salon, require their token teaser. They get kicked a lot, but the sniff of the chase keeps them hanging 'round for years.

Let's cut to the chase. He who controls unscrutinised vote counting computers, controls the outcome. Until the electoral process becomes fully accountable, a task accomplished by many marginally enlightened countries, the fix stays in.

As for Farnhad Manjoo,despite his undeniable journalistic depth, I guess intellectual stud sites like Salon need their token teasers. They get kicked a lot, but the sniff of the chase keeps them hanging 'round for years.

The Rolf de Heer film "Ten Canoes" has been awarded the special jury prize at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Bankable? Who gives a rat's? But I'll be adding it to Mr. O'Hehir's excellent selections on my essential viewing list.

The parallels with My Lai are too numerous. Do we have to wait another seven years, as in Vietnam, and more untold carnage before the end to George W. Bush's doomed war, or will this massacre of innocent civilians in their roadside dwelling hasten an exit strategy?

This could be Colin Powell's last shot at redemption after his WMD hard sell at the UN as part of the Iraq pre war propaganda. After all, it was then Colonel Colin Powell of the 7th Americal Division stationed in Da Nang who sucessfully kept the lid on the bloodlust slaughter of some 400 Vietnamese civilians at My Lai,including women and children, for almost a year.

If there's anybody around who knows how to "tidy up" this "mess" and get the hell out of Iraq, wholesale and pronto, then it's Colin Powell. Even one of the Vietnam War's chief boosters, former SoS Robert MacNamara, wised up to the horror and folly of it,but it was fourty years too late.

Have we no sense of common decency? Enough is enough. Bring 'em home.

I love it when Salon slums it. It gives me a literary stiffy. Uncorroborated interviews,the perils of brewers droop, predatory temptresses and jailbird psychology. Kinda makes a guy want to rush out and grab a taco.

The National Enquirer will be obliged to lift its game.

"I'd like to thank my personal Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for this victory.

He obviously wasn't on the side of all you losers on this glorious occasion."

Ain't Media Obedience School a hoot for all those yappy lapdoggies? Be darned if they if they don't rollover and beg so purty fo' Preznit Putz. Reckon' them thar Foxys are "Best In Show" material. Boss Rupert have no callin' to leash 'em these days.

Trouble is, they all got fleas.

Laura refused to shake his hand, Chimpy sat like a stunned mullet, 2600 industry heavies and assorted big wigs gaped as Colbert wielded flame thrower and stiletto with the finesse of master satirist.

Colbert’s wit achieved in 15 minutes what Lenny Bruce would have died for; Stephen told the emperor to his face in public primetime, that not only was he threadless, but that his soul was ugly.

This is how a patriot would act.

I can feel a Tarantino movie coming on. In the aftermath of an accidental parcel switch, University controlled tests confirm that that the livers of professional gormandisers proove exceptionally blissful to the human palate. Quentin subtly draws parallels with the top shelf goose pate industry. "The Son Of Hannibal Lecter" becomes serially involved and Jodi Foster(FBI Ret'd) is coaxed into the role of alpha huntress. There is lots of vivisection, sphincter talk and copious projectile vomitting from Linda Blair("She's back....and she's spewing") in a career reviving special guest appearance.

At the world premiere, Starvin' Marvin' thoughtfully dispenses antacids to dyspeptic patrons.

Sure is one helluva seamstress that Laura Bush. And how delightful to have the vainglorious, Hal the Ham, vivisected with the sure hand and literary finesse of a master. All that remains is to wise up the marks.