That was many years ago, granted, but Time's slide into lackluster mediocrity (as opposed to high-quality mediocrity) was hard to ignore. Plus, I got rid of cover stories like, "Is God Cool?" and "Dogs: What Do They Really Want From Us?"

Frankly, though, I am surprised that Time would allow somebody like Joe Klein to use falsehoods as the basis for his editorials. I can understand Time wanting to have a conservative on board to play to the masses, but you'd think they'd make sure his ramblings were true. Otherwise he'd be just another slimy Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Beck or Malkin. Whoops.

So Klein writes something lazy and ignorant, Greenwald correctly slams him for it, and then Klein spends several blogs weaseling. Pretty awesome in my book. I'm so glad Greenwald has the energy to do this.

My pledge to Glenn Greenwald: If you have enough energy to continue, then I have the energy to keep reading. You aren't being shrill, you're coming across as sanely angry. People should not be allowed to spew falsehoods without consequences. Period.

If it were my job to write a coherent opinion about FISA (which wouldn't be much fun), I would drink a hot cup of coffee, roll up my figurative sleeves, and attempt to read and understand the damned legislation. I'd re-read it, take notes, and ask impartial lawyers to explain difficult sections to me. I am sure it would be a lot of work, but that's what I would do.

What I wouldn't do is ask a partisan to tell me how I should interpret it, without questioning his motives, and then write my opinion as if I were certain it was correct. Which is what Joe Klein did. If I did that, I would feel that I deserved to lose my job.

Two thoughts comes to my mind:

1) I'd be curious to know what TIME's standards for failure are.

What must you write exactly to be fired? Where is the line? If Klein's latest statement doesn't cross it, then where is it?

2) TIME should replace Klein by a tropical fish aquarium. It would be prettier, more entertaining, save space and money, require less maintenance, and for all intents and purposes, perform his job just as well.

Think about it, TIME.

We need to swarm all over that asshat Joe Klein. It will put other journalists on notice that they cannot get away with the same bullshit they got away with the last several election cycles. And it will help start the process of delegitimating the Vichy liberal pundits of whom Klein is only one of many. Let Joey go play with his neocon buddies if he likes them so much.

At least Dan Rather had his facts right. Klein is just an idiot.

You're doing great work Glenn. Keep the pressure up, as those who demand excellence, as well as deliver it, either get countered with it, or rise above and shine, and needless to say Klein is not capable of excellence, and so the message will shine and maybe this will have some impact (along with everything else).

I haven't read Klien's article and didn't read your responses but I am convinced of one thing after listening to the Democrats for the last several years. We cannot trust their judgement in matters of public safety.

Regards

Bob Cerra

Your name reminds me of a doused and saturated 'Nam veteran who is now deceased. I am glad your alive. Thanks for a memory.

The vet was in the First Air Cav. He had to wear dark shades, and a Ahab the Arab looking veil hanging over the back of his neck. A yellow construction hat shielded the summer sun. He'd worked construction work most of his life, and even wore long shirt sleeves if it was a fire-blaze consuming heat. The sensitive skin would blister. Agent Orange gave ya's blisters and sores in war.

It was not acne puberty.

Docs misdiagnosed diagnosed him and many others as one who was ill from Lupus. But he really was doused in war with Agent Orange. Monsanto etc., and other Wall Street money makers concocted a war's chemical soup.

It was doused-sprayed, and dumped from planes and helicopters. The nasty poison defoliated lush mountain tree canopies, and poisoned the food supply the rural peasant grew. Yuck. Who likes to eat poison Vinaigre on salad greens, a bowl of rice, and stir-fried duck egg, chicken loo minh? George W. Bush and Candie's pro-war team? I hope not. No.

His legs were swollen like the legendary gunslinger Dillinger. He joked he had Elephantitis. He teased he had a little pinkie. He said his wife, who stood by him all the years, could vouch he did not lie. I never asked.

The weekend before my 'comrade' died, he told me he was weary of suffering. The canned Budweiser beer was not quenching his thirst like it use to, and he'd upchuck from his his guts until he'd bleed. Pain was reaching the maximum endurance level. His wife and children gave him permission to die. He was okay and needed peace and rest.

This is all a true story. I remember Theresa Heinz Kerry visited the Martinsburg Public Hospital a few day previous to his death-- The weekend Dexter Lacey died at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Martinsburg West Virginia, I had teased to van-shop with him. The plan was to kidnap him from his death bed and go car-van-shopping.

The last of my visit-- Dexter teased he wanted to get a van with a wheel chair ramp, and build a small hut on some ocean front land in Nova Scotia. He said he knew a corn-mash Moon Shine recipe. He teased. Dexter blamed poor-health and partial blindness on some moonshine he shared with me years ago. I saved a small quart jar for years. The reason for his rot-gut health condition, Dexter Lacey "insisted" was a bad brew-batch. Humor? Ya's darn tooting.

I miss his spirit this damn rain morn.

Nature, Oh! Ah!

O,

Bless Old Dexter Lacey.

D.L., may ya's sleep well,

like a mad mallard duck. huh.

Well- I said before he croaked, "Dexter, be thankful. Ya's could be one of those returning Middle East soldiers. Some return to tell America of the Great War Success stories. Listen.

Dexter Lacey, howdy you like to return home with no arms, no legs, a jarred yellow jello brain, no legs, no eyes, and no wife to itch your big fat ear if you had a ear itch. Suppose you needed to blow your big nose? Count your blessings"

He never wore a frown.

He was always strong in spirit.

And now I grieve to remember Lies cut him down.

He smiled. The pro-war mongers are despicable beast.