Your posts are models of equanimity and clear-sightedness. The stimulus should work, in time, and it's good to monitor its micro-effects, just as we would a patient in intensive care. You're the first person I come to every day for information on the economy, and I know there are many others like me. I love that you're not afraid to examine complex issues with an overall positive outlook. Just like doctors say to patients - we're active participants in our own recovery.

Firings aside, what I don't understand is this: why aren't YOU the one trash-talking Rove and Bush? Those two guys, with Cheney, completely broke the hegemony of the Republican party, and for years to come. Rove bragged often that he was engineering an era of single-party rule, and for us, it absolutely looked like he was succeeding. But his shenanigans, Bush's rank incompetence, and Cheney's end-run around the law brought that dream down with a huge thud. Dirty tricks; asleep at the wheel; bogus war. Congress and the Presidency (a mixed-race, strange-named "other") were completely transformed, thanks to them.

Of course De Lay, Santorum and a few minor sex scandals helped, but the heavy lifting was done at the top. I know you're a good soldier - one of the best obviously - but it would seem like you would want to get as far past those guys as possible. I'm just saying.

should watch Bill Moyer's PBS interview with Wendell Potter, here:

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/07102009/watch2.html

Potter was a vice-president in charge of PR for Cigna, and worked in the system for 20 years. He comes down hard on insurance companies, now and then, and pulls no punches about their manipulation of public opinion and government policy.

Not just an eye opener - a bucket of water over the head. Obama doesn't figure much in the story, as the insurance companies have been milking us dry for some time. Potter says insurance will seem to play along with any legislation now, but undermine it anyway they can.

He also says he was part of a disinformation campaign against the film "Sicko" - strictly because insurance knew that Moore had "hit the nail on the head". Other countries ARE giving better healthcare for less.

Fascinating.

"So, again, Juliebird -- what is Karl Rove supposed to have done wrong with respect to the US Attorneys?"

E-man, Juliebird answered you - there's an ongoing investigation to determine the answer to your question. Rove is part of it. Will he be charged? We'll find out soon.

The firings were unusual. at that particular time, as has commonly been described, and they're being investigated. The existence of the investigation points directly at the possibility that they have not been explained - at least not to the satisfaction of the prosecutor.

Mike Madden reported this. That's not unethical. Rove is not being libeled, he's being investigated.

The End.

E-man - you might want to start your own MoveOn branch to get past the Bush era, which has been so good for your party. Couldn't hurt.

The article doesn't slander Rove, nor was it unethical - that was your point wasn't it? And you've really picked a doozy in Rove to harp on slander. I think McCain might want to chime in there, and Ann Richards if we can drum up a Ouija Board.

Ah, but nothing was PROVEN about McCain 2000, right? The velvet touch of the beloved Rovester. If Rove did nothing wrong in the firings, you've got nothing to worry about.

I know several contractors who are died in the wool Republicans, trading for better mileage, and loving the program. Republican Congress better watch out - their rank and file are getting better service from the Dems on this one. Might be a trend.

Etrigone: you're right, Bush used to say it all the time about the job (which always sounded to me like wishful thinking, but anyhoo.....). I remember him kind of hissing it at the 2004 debates, over and over, like Gollum. It's hard......my precious.....it's hard. Creeped me out then, especially with the remote feed hump.

Why do the Republican candidates (Bush, McCain, Palin) complain so much?

is this guy talking about?

is going to be a way-out thread, cause there doesn't seem much concrete suggestion in the article that can be responded to, and I kind of doubt we're going to have any adult supervision. Oughta be good - points for creativity.

Lindbergh breaking wind above our heads - a lovely thought.

Betzee - I love your posts.

Old Joe - I think you're right - and I'm still reading the material!

that is one raunchy and unnecessary t-shirt. I googled it - if those guys are real young people they ought to be ashamed of themselves.

But, yes, the t-shirt sucks, seriously. Neither side should be putting out crap like that. I hope liberals cut it down, pronto.