I was lucky to be able to see Carlin do a "tune-up" performance of his last HBO special this past February in Las Vegas. He was terrific, even though he mostly shied away from politics and spent more time skewering America's culture and social trends. He talked about how good it was to be an "old fuck," which he explained was different from an "old fart."

I find it a little errie, but he did a whole routine on funerals and what kinde of phony and irrational things people say, such as to the widow: "If there's anything I can do to help, let me know." He said people should call that bluff, by asking them to show up to paint the house next week or something like that. He also challenged the statement, "I think dad is up in heaven right now looking down on us, and I bet he's pleased."

I wonder if George is up in heaven right now, looking down on me, and is he pleased?

As George said, "There's too much bullshit, and it's bad for ya."

I haven't listened to the interview, but I went to High School on Long Island with Katzman back in the 1970's. He was a fairly smart kid, but no valedictorian. I first saw him on TV back in 1990 during the Gulf war. I had moved to California by then, and he had left his job at the CIA. Since then, he has appeared a lot on CNN (and Fox news, for all I know, but I never watch it).

I disagree with his politics and foriegn policy views. The community we lived in was more than 50% Jewish, and most of us grew up looking with pride to the military accomplishments of Israel. So, I can see where Katzman gets his worldview.

I don't think Republicans are afraid, as much as they are spoiled. They are used to whatever moron their party nominates win the Presidential election. Since 1968, the GOP has won seven out of 10 elections, including the ultimate fiasco, the pResidency of George W. Bush.

Happily, it looks like we are being spared a McCain Presidency and God forbid, a Palin Presidency by succession - the thought of that would keep me up at night throughout a McCain Presidency, if the angry, grouchy old coot were to somehow get (s)elected.