I too look forward to an American president that thinks first, discerns emotion from reason, and hopefully realizes that we can never be insulated from threat of violence and he cannot right every wrong committed in the World.

The retention of Robert Gates is a monumentally stupid idea for one reason: The Bush Administration purposefully and methodically removed every military leader who did not express and demonstrate fealty to them, not America, but them. The result is a broken and co-opted military, led by incompetent opportunists and ultimately disloyal turncoats who will continue to carry out the Bush initiatives answering only to a "shadow" government directed by the likes of Cheney.

Gates may not have been in on the outrages of illegal invasions, torture and contractor corruption, but his allegience to the Bush Family is undeniable.

Twn dollars on the pass line - and the LOOSEST slots in town!

Too late, Joan. You hated Obama, you picked on him, chided him, rode him simply because he wasn't Her. Not because he was intelligent or a gifted orator or just plain a nice guy. No. Because he wasn't Her.

If you've really, really changed your mind, say so. Tell us you were wrong for the constant attack attack attack while his adversaries on the goon side of politics painted him a terrorist Amurka-hater with designs on turning duh good ol'US into some kind of personal gulag.

Apologize, Joan, then maybe I'll be able to read this kind of heartfelt rant without feeling exactly the hate you obviously felt for Obama, back before he changed it all. Dot the I. Cross the T. Then you'll be an honest journalist.

Until then, you're just another blogger.

...I obviously meant "hate for you" in that sentence, not hate for Obama. We already know you hate him.

Let the purges commence...

President Obama will have his work cut out for hi;m. I had read that one reason he wanted Gates to stay on was that he knows his first and overwhelming priority will be the economy. Now it appears he won't have the luxury of setting up a strong Defense/Sate/NSA team to free him for the enormous task of saving our economy. Events have a way of overwhelming the best of plans. Obama will have to devote himself to roblems on all fronts because they're all so pressing.

Now is the time for all good men and women to come to the aid of their country, not their parties.

I was a devoted Hillary Clinton supporter, and I was plenty angry after the primaries right through the election. No more. Obama will need all our support and good wishes. The problems are so huge that Obama must be a great president. He's smart and ambitious and I'm sure he'll do his best. I don't say that we follow any leader blindly, but we surely must allow him the breathing space to get his policies in place, and support him whole-heartedly whenever we can.

for more on this story see Fox news, rush transcript from "Hannity & Colmes," Former U.N. Ambassador Bolton on Terror Attacks in India.

BOLTON: Well, you know, many in India believe that a lot of the terrorist attacks that we've seen across the country really have been financed, organized, directed by extremists in the Pakistani government, particularly the Inner Services Intelligence director or ISI."

see, ya gotta get your news from a trend setting agency that's right up on the curve.

MuHahahahahahahaha!!!! and save some room for the pie.

Yes, indeed, liberals can have a great sense of humor. I know plenty in my personal sphere! I personally am happiest when I'm not myself participating in the demonization of people who see the world differently than me--I'd much rather be laughing at our differences. Obviously Jon Stewart and Colbert are superbly gifted at bringing us together in those kinds of laughs. (I don't mean to suggest there aren't times when any person/party/group doesn't merit demonization, of course.)

I think it's clear from some of the mean posts in this section that there are some liberals who absolutely cannot tolerate difference. Why the attacks on Joan--calls for apologies, for God's sake--because she is now supporting Obama after she cheered on Hillary except for utter lack of humor and/or grace?

I've also never understood the passionately angry calls against Camille Paglia's articles (and, in the past, against Anne Lammot's). If Salon loses its collective sense of humor, it's a sad day for all of us.

I'm hungry for serious commentary, such as that which Glenn offers here on Salon; I trust him because he's not in the least bit afraid to criticize both sides of the political spectrum, but, as I said before, I also thank the universe for the likes of Klytus who can make me laugh and want to hug people.

Have ALREADY tracked the money trail!

Other headlines in the news..

"Fail & balanced Foxes"

"Target credulous TV rubes"

Posted on U.S. Thanksgiving, no less, that most unusual of, erm, "holidays", this column is a stark and pointed reminder of why your country terrifies so many.

Still, out of respect, I'll pull my punches and restrict myself to expressing my view that Dr. Rice's recent endorsement of the so-called Bush Doctrine should, by any civil/humane standard, disqualify her from consideration for the position of UN ambassador. Then again, John Bolton has represented your country in this role. Ca plus ca change...

As an American, you may have much to be grateful for. But for the rest of us, the views of Rice and Clinton provoke mortal fear (especially, of course, if one is Iranian). Fortunately for us, as I understand it, it would be illegal for Clinton to become Secretary of State.

Dear Friends,

It is past time to express our gratitude for so many blessings and particularly after the Democratic victories this month. It is also time to express my gratitude for Joan Walsh, who has brought us a remarkably insightful and honest take on the whole of our current political situation.

Thank you, Joan for more than you can know.

Dave Ginsberg