is that our policy in the Middle East has been very "bull-in-a-china shop." I don't understand how "a-herd-of-bulls-in-a-china shop" could be anything but worse. It's a really awful strategy versus a stupendously awful strategy.

"So, back to my original question, what would the "rest of the world" (who presumably all speak with one voice and have one opinion about how the US uses its power) like to see us do?"

Who is presuming the rest of the world has one opinion and speaks with one voice? Not me. Why do so many people insist on using straw man arguments and false choices? You concede that your idea is a "crappy option." Fine. If none of the solutions are going to please ANYbody, let alone SOMEbody, then we should leave. That seems easy to understand to me. (No, I don't mean "leave immediately.")

I'm sick of us following the advice of people who think that all this situation needs is some good old-fashioned American elbow grease. A greater effort will not necessarily yield a better result in this case.

The dog ate my homework. Again.

The President does not believe in a representative democracy as long as he is president. He is an authoritarian autocrat.

I live in Austin, Texas, and over the last few years I've spent a considerable amount of time fantasizing about serving as a juror in Tom DeLay's trial. I've still got my fingers crossed!

The movie "Downfall" chronicling Hitler's last days should be required viewing for all Republicans right now. Not that Hitler and Bush have anything in common (other than tactics used to sway gullible, authoritarain voters).

Or was the sainted Ronald Reagan not a product of Hollywood Culture?

McCain's "analysis" assumes that Bush is not sparp enough to understand or realize when he's being given bad advice or counsel. I think a lot of people believe this--I sure do--but the thing that gets me, is that this doesn't really bother people like McCain. Or the MSM. It's like Bush gets a pass for being stupid, and it's unfair or "un-PC" to be too critical of him because it would be like making fun of a handicapped person or someone who's mentally deficient. I their world, we should be criticizing those smart enough to know better, rather than Bush.

But Chris Matthews says that it's only the left wing wackos who don't like Bush. Hmmm.... maybe he's just as disconnected as the President!?

But it's interesting nevertheless that one of the conservative's favorite talking points about this case is that Joe Wilson is "such a liar," and has misled the public in his statements on this case, etc., blah, blah, blah. That begs the question though: Why hasn't Wilson been brought up on charges? So far, it's only a Bush administration official on trial. Nothing on Wilson, though--other that Swift-boat type garbage. You'd think if Wilson was as bad as the conservatives say, he'd have been brought up on charges by now. In fact, I guarantee you that he would have, if there was in fact anything to "get" on him. Forgive me if I don't hold my breath waiting for those charges.

If Libby didn't do anything wrong, then why would Fleischer--or anyone else in this case--ask for immunity? It also suggests that Fleischer couldn't count on a pardon, either. What a bunch of scumbags!

I guess you're right. I should spend more time watching "Survivor" and "Deal or no Deal" than keeping tabs on some stupid little trial that "only 2%" of the American public really cares about. Yep, it's going to be a lot easier this way....

Just move along folks... nothing to see here.

Judging from the unusually high number of Bush-supporter letters on the Libby trial, we can tell this much: This matter has REALLY gotten under their skin. If not, they wouldn't bother. Their letters on this matter are litterally flooding in, compared to other--arguably more important--matters.

On one hand, they point to flimsy evidence on the part of Bush appointee Fitzgerald, yet offer laughably empty evidence of their own. Lines like "proven liar" in regards to Joe Wilson are particulary amusing. Proven by whom? Rush Limbaugh? Where are the perjury charges against him? Jesus Christ, the Republicans have only ruled the entire world for the last 5 years, why haven't they brought any charges against him yet?

Before you continue your endless letters in support of Libby, why not address the fact that his defense amounts to "the dog ate my homework," first.