Just a few thoughts:

I think it's important to remember that pre-Katrina, most folks didn't appreciate what an incompetent boob Bush was (and is). We had our doubts about his intellect, but I'm pretty sure that most people, including journalists, were willing to give Bush the benefit of the doubt. Add in the patriotic fervor in America post 9-11, and it becomes a little more understandable as to why Bush was able to feed us s**t, while convincing us it was steak.

At the time, who could believe that a U.S. President would be willing to lie us into war, just to satisfy his neocon cronies, big business, and his oversized ego? I always viewed Bush as "intellectually challenged," but took (misplaced) comfort in that he seemed to surround himself with experienced, knowledgeable men such as Colin Powell, Dick Cheney (in his pre-"Darth" days), and Rumsfield.

I wish the press had done a much better job, but they didn't. Some have copped to their "sins" and some (most) continue to excuse, prevaricate, and ignore their culpability. They come across as members of an exclusive "club" for "members only." That is precisely why I take EVERYTHING they say with a HUGE grain of salt and seek my information from other sources - like Glenn Greenwald and Salon - and even then, I keep the "salt shaker" handy!

"You know Glenn, I really think that this general lack of accountability or responsibility is much broader problem for our nation in general. It could be argued that it's been a problem that's been increasing exponentially from generation to generation, but I don't really know for sure. What I do know is that this mindset is evident across the spectrum of professions and hits all aspects of American life." ...James V

James V...

Do you think this might explain Katrina, Post-war Iraq, The Justice Department, The Bush Administration, etc., etc.? I think it boils down to the simple fact that we, as Americans, have gotten extreeeemly lazy. Everything is everyone else's fault. A "reporter" can't take the time to check NexisLexis or even "The Google" to cross-reference sources for accuracy and truthfulness?? Give me a break! I do research all the time and before I EVER put pen to paper, I make sure that what I'm writing is accurate - FIRST! Yes, I make mistakes but if I do, it's not for a lack of EFFORT in trying to verify my information. Sadly, we have become the "CAN'T DO" nation (governmentally) and the "WON'T DO" nation (journalistically). We are both arrogant AND LAY-ZEEEE - a deadly combination in a democracy!

So the White House leaks false information to Judy Miller who proceeds to publish it in the New York Times. Then, Vice President Cheney sites the New York Times article as proof that the false information, provided by the White House, was true! Haven't we seen this all before?

Unless and until Ross and ABC reveal their sources for the anthrax story, why shouldn't we assume that the White House was performing the same ruse - denying what they, themselves, leaked to Brian Ross and ABC, while using ABC to prove and promote their wicked agenda? How long will we allow ourselves to be duped by these poseurs?

To me, it's beyond comprehension that virtually everything I learned about government: separation of powers, three co-equal branches, "of the people, by the people, and for the people," compromise for the general good, congressional declaration of war, etc., etc., has been almost completely undermined by so-called "conservatives."

Bill Kristol and his neocon cronies (in league with a President who either doesn't know or doesn't care how American government is supposed to work have used "conservatism" and "war" as a ruse for gutting the Constitution, our individual liberties, and our system of government. Ironically, they've done this, in part, by being the most incompetent administration in the history of our nation!

The one who is "supposed" to know (the President), knows nothing of history, government, or governing. Those who lead him around by the nose know only their aristocratic, warmongering ideologies with little or no regard to our founding fathers or the Constitution. Those who follow "Dear Leader" place loyalty before country and ideology and power before the well-being (the very lives) of America's citizens.

In all of my years, I never dreamed that we, as a nation, would allow ourselves to become so fearful, so cowardly, so ignorant - that we would sit by while America's legacy; all the good things we used to stand for, were decimated and destroyed by men (and women) whose lack of knowledge is exceeded only by their lack of caring. I, for one, am ready to do whatever is necessary to redress my real and abiding grievances with our current "leadership." Impeachment is too mild a remedy. Criminal prosecution and imprisonment of these traitors is the best, and possibly only, solution!

"Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" ...Patrick Henry, 1775