The problem isn't the hearings, it's the people conducting them. Neither party is doing it's job to ensure that a this candidate is up to the job of protecting the Constitution.

We already have a civil war in Iraq, skyrocketing oil prices, an emboldened Iran and expanding Islamic terrorism. So can we bring the troops home already?

...while serving a tour of duty in Iraq. He doesn't seem to have an adequate grasp on either subject.

that $500M can/will be raised and used for propoganda rather than aid for Katrina victims (or a host of other worthy causes).

Or even just those that voted for him. But that wouldn't be in the spirit of democracy.

Perhaps W's supporters will voluntarily take some of that "personal responsibility" they seem to demand from everyone else and just pay for the war without taxing the rest of us.

Yea, I know the meds must be wearing off.

wouldn't it be easier to just come out in support of killing American troops and innocent civilians to protect your fragile pride? Is that important to you that you can't admit that we lost and unwinnable war? That way you wouldn't have to invent these non sequitur arguments implying bringing home our people means we are supporting terrorist.

Wouldn't be a better use of your time to enlist in the military and participate in the surge and personally fight terrorist rather than sit behind a keyboard and toss verbal bards?

"Before you speak, ask yourself: is it kind, is it true, is it necessary, does it improve upon the silence?" - Shirdi Sai Baba

In a recent discussion about trolls of various sorts a mental health professional speculated that trolls likely have narcissistic personality disorder and paying attention to them in any way is a positive reinforcement of their behavior.

Reporting on the behaviour of this troll does not improve upon the silence. Salon, please stop feeding the troll.

... seem pretty irrelevant when real lives are being lost daily.

What is most to important to our politicians (of either party), their careers and/or their pride or the lives of people in harms way?

To elaborate on your point, truth is also powerful and my statement was an attempt to illustrate that framing the situation as truthfully as possible might weigh on the minds of enough of congress to see through the propaganda and perhaps act differently. As you pointed out it might help turn the tide in the minds of voters as well who in turn would do the right thing. A fella can dream can't he?

Suppose the Democrats take the White House in '08. To the extent that Bush administration has complied with the Presidential Records Preservation Act (or whatever it is call), couldn't those records be turned over to the AG to prosecute the crimes committed by the former administration?

It would also seem that a Democratic president could declare the officials of the Bush administration terrorists and ship'em off to Gitmo.

What has the Bush administration got planned to protect themselves for the power of the unitary executive when the next president isn't a Republican?

This latest incident of campus violence is indeed a tragedy. It parallels another tragedy ongoing in Iraq for the last 4 years. In each case the president hasn't taken the time or interest or compassion to examine the root of the violence or even that the root of the violence be examined by others.

Practically speaking I don't think gun control is THE answer but am open to the possibility that it is a component of the answer. Like talking to our enemies probably isn' THE answer but is probably a component to peace. In each case our fearful leader has dismissed viable components of success out of hand.

Were you also disgusted yesterday when the White house tried to make political hay out of this tragedy with it's pro-gun statement in response to the tradegy?

"Perino merely reaffirmed George W. Bush's support for gun owners' rights to bear arms."

I head on the radio that the president has order that flags be lowered until Sunday in response to this tragedy. Isn't that more politicizing by the White House? To my knowledge the president hasn't ordered the flags to be lowered for any of the 3000+ American lives lost in Iraq. Again to my knowledge the president hasn't attended a single funeral for a life lost in Iraq but will attend todays service. Where was he after Katrina? Coal mine cave-ins?

In the face of tragic, senseless, and perhaps avoidable loss of human life the real pro-life (i.e. anti-gun, anti-war) advocates reaffirmed their belief that we, as a nation, can and should be doing more to prevent needless loss of life.

Number of days that passed between the shootings at Virginia Tech and George W. Bush's expected arrival for a convocation there: 1

Number of days that passed between the death of an American soldier in Iraq and George W. Bush's expected arrival for a funeral: 4+ years and counting

Number of days that passed between the shootings at Virginia Tech and George W. Bush's order to fly flags at half staff: 1

Number of days that passed between the death of an American soldier in Iraq and George W. Bush's order to fly flags at half staff: 4+ years and counting

His response to the Virginia Tech is appropriate, the others - not so much.

Sorry, but W isn't in that set.

you reminde me of Slim Picken's character in Dr Strangelove.

of rightdoing either.

and find out what hell you are promoting for others. In other words "Go walk your talk." Didn't think so.

A soldier is a diplomat. What we need is a good neocon to English dictionary.

Seems to think it's more important that the US be able to recorfd this one in the 'win' column than to end the needless loss of life.

Just wondering.