Scapegoat. Decoy. Nothing like a deflector, a detraction. Poor old John, the Good German. Just doing what he was told to do. He takes the bullet. He's the sap who's going to be hung out in the laundry. The poor SOB who has to bite the bullet, fall on his own sword. America is that way. We're all just little cogs in the big machine.

Sir, yes sir. He's just a guy who unflinchingly follows comands. No guilt mechanism here. No conscience. March in lockstep. Whistle while you work.

On the same subject, or perhaps veering off on a tangent, but who was that poor Japanese/American jarhead sunnabeetch who refused to return to Iraq because it was an illegible immoral war?? Did he end up in the brig? Or was he simply ostracized. Isn't it in the military code somewhere that you don't have to follow orders that are unreasonable and against one's moral values?

Sigh. Makes one imagine if we aren't all just little Yoos. Katy lied . . . or was that Condi.

Had I known I'd be sweeping up behind Elephantman's little parade, I'd have mentioned Gunga Din: "The name "Gunga Din" is sometimes used in the musical instrument world; brass instruments, particularly bugles, of low or questionable quality produced in India are often called "Gunga Din" horns, as well as "junkers", or more appropriately, "wall-hangers".

Alberto Gonzales???

Elephantman points out: "Was Blumenthal drunk when he wrote this? Because his behavior lately, including his drunk driving conviction, causes me to wonder about him. Is he still drinking? Because it has been months since he wrote anything new for Salon, right?"

Gosh, kind of funny that you of all critics would make that particular point.

Bessie Braddock: Sir, you are drunk.

Churchill: And you, madam, are ugly. But in the morning, I shall be sober.

And you, Elephantman will still be asmug little asshat . . .

. . . not firing as randomly as his silly remarks would have one think. It's all innuendo, all the time. Frank Zappa's "Slime-Oozing-Outta-My-TV-Set" time, thankee.

He innuends: "Look people, one can get only so far with doom and gloom. It didn't work well for Carter, and it doesn't work well here."

Did I miss something here?? Glenn's book connected to Jimmy Carter connected to gloom & doom connected to . . . ?? Can someone explain this connection, or where it's trying to go?? Could it be because good ol' Jimmy is pissing off the Wingnuts again (and in turn causing much gnashing of teeth) by suggesting that the current maladministration should actually sit down and talk with folks rather than continue the stupid impasse that's led us to this in-freeking-credibly silly state of affairs in the first place?? You want a laugh, go over to Townhall & read what the howlers are up to over there in tan khaki & polo shirt land. Shooter and Elephant just can't seem to control themselves and just have to drop in some silly when they get their panties in a bind . . . and they talk about bitter, nastiness and the hatred on the left. C'mon, guys. Leave Jimmy out of this. He was the last decent man, and certainly the most intelligent one holding that office.

Now, I've always known that Elephantman is an asshat, and a pretty pompous one at that, but he takes the cake when he writes:

"Now, setting aside their "personal stories," and based upon solid policy differences, Kerry and Gore really are effete pansies. And Bush and Cheney really are protective warriors.",

Did you daddy whack you you on the side of your head a few times too many with the NYP?? The fact you sound like a powerless, whiner who doesn't like the changes going on around you? Or are you really just funning us?? Like Annie Coulter or Michelle Malkin do -- you know, say the most over the top, stupid, unreasonable, obviously untrue things just to enrage normal folks and keep the goons salviating in excitement / lust?? (Your so-called slackjawed yokels -- time for a new cliche, big guy).

I mean give us a break -- protective warriors?? I look at Bush and I see what most folks see. A vicious, vindictive petty little two-bit punk in way over his head. Talk away his good looks, talent, and class, and Jimmy Cagney could have sleepwalked his way through George's role as 'tough guy'). And Cheney?? The man is a liar, a back-room backstabber. A guy that gets his kicks from killing little furry & feathered creatures,

"I'm not going to support John McCain because he was courageous in battle and captivity 40 years ago." I've always marvelled that the Vietnamese didn't just off these death-from-above guys the second they got their mitts on them.

"And I don't oppose Obama because he's never spent a day anywhere near the military." Good to hear. Military and politics shouldn't mix. That's why we're so-fucked-up now. Ike knew . . .

"I'm voting for McCain based on policy; he's determined that our military will prevail in Iraq." Mass hypnosis?? Delusions?? I'd say Bloody John's policy is more based on his physical / mental condition than anything else. Can you say, Ronald Reagan?? Sheesh, all we need is another dementia victim sitting in the big leather chair.