Top all you people in Missippi still in need after the Hurricanes, I assumed the President and Senator Trent Lott took care of that. The President said he would soon be in a chair on Senator Lott's front porch. That did not happen? Why did you not speak out, instead of voting for the same people?

To all you people in Florida , who now say we have the same needs as the people on the Gulf Coast. I saw our President handing out water before the 2004 elections. Your Governor,Jeb, was re-elected by you Floridians. If , you still have a problem , speak to your Governor, he will always be the President's brother. You should have told us by how you voted. We would have gotten the message.

Hey, David, when does the statute of limitations for blaming Clinton for everything expire? I know that he sabotaged the Hindenberg, supplied George W. Bush with the booze and cocaine, mind-controlled Laura into killing her boyfriend with the car she was driving, kidnapped the Lindbergh baby, armed Hitler (no, that was Prescott Bush, sorry...), was in cahoots with the Japanese bombing Pearl Harbor, killed JonBenet Ramsey, raped the Duke Party Stripper, shot Sean Bell 51 times, assaulted the Central Park Jogger, created the Dust Bowl of the 1930's, single-handedly caused the stock market crash of 1987, shot John Lennon AND Ronald Reagan, assassinated JFK, RFK and Martin Luther King, and SINGLE-HANDLEDLY perpetrated the movie VAN WILDER: THE RISE OF TAJ on an unsuspecting American public. Oh yeah, and he crucified Jesus, too. But still...when does the statute of limitations expire? Just wondering.

Once again, with feeling... THE MYSTIC CHORDS OF MEMORY, STRETCHING FROM EVERY BATTLEFIELD AND PATRIOT GRAVE TO EVERY LIVING HEART AND HEARTHSTONE ALL OVER THIS BROAD LAND, WILL YET SWELL THE CHORUS OF THE UNION, WHEN AGAIN TOUCHED, AS SURELY THEY WILL BE, BY THE BETTER ANGELS OF OUR NATURE." ABRAHAM LINCOLN, 1865

We have a President who can't make a deciion about the war in Iraq. We have the National Guard from Guam, training Euthopia in guerilla warfare. The Islamic Court in Somalia, declared war on Euthopia and Eurasia. We are supplying money and military advisors to the Abbas Government in Jericho.We still cannot find Osama bin Laden. What part of this equation do you not understand? I do not need a biblical quote to explain this. This President has taken us in the U.S. to the ABYSS. If you do not beliieve that, then you are a FOOL.

Indisputable points in the immigration debate from Browakw. What about listing one of the indisputable facts that illegal imigrants have broken our laws, and using stolen id's to obtain employment hurts real people in real time. This is not a victimless crime. Thanks Tom, for shaping the debate for us. I expected bette from you.

bobf - I'm not sure why you included me in your last post. From the beginning, I have said that impeaching Clinton was the wrong thing to do. It was a waste of time, money, and effort. I hope you had a Merry Christmas!

Tom? Browakw? Willie Wad... did you stumble into the wrong blog?

Ryan: i think you're completely wrong about the invasion of Iraq. It had nothing to do with WMDs. Right after Bush took office, he started talking about 'regime change'. At first, they tried to blame Iraq for anthrax (remember). Then, they tried to say his intelligence met with Al-Queda. Finally, it was WMDs. It was all a scam. The UN inspection team never found WMDs, the French and Germans said there were no WMDs (rembmber 'Freedom Fries + 'Freedom Kisses' ?) Remember the fake letter about Iraq buying 'yellow cake uranium' from Niger ? A bunch of lies. Bush and his draft dodging neo-cons wanted regime change in Iraq. That's all. It was a scam. They still want regime change in Iran and North Korea. They'll make up any excuse to attack them. The US invaded Iraq even though it didn't attack or threaten us. That's the definition of agression. Sorry, Ryan, Bush committed agression against Iraq. He started what Catholic dogma would consider an 'unjust war'. Sierra

My,My David, just what the heck do you expect to find in those documents. What are you looking for with those documents and you did not answer my questions about Reagan arming all the terrorist's. Tell me what is in the documents that Sandy berger took and how do they affect today. I am sick of people like you David, that instead of dealing with today's problems, you go look for some other way to protect your leader and blame someone else. You tell me to stop blaming Bush, I read my article and did not mention Bush. Such a typical hatemongerer that you just use standard pat lines like: YOU ALL HATE BUSH. What the heck did this accomplish. Bush has made major mistakes, but you can not acknowledge them because you have your head so far up Bush's butt. It is more important to trash the opposition or say they all hate Bush then to debate. David you are the classic smear and fear instead of debate and problem solving. So David, what have you got for a solution to today's problems. Oh that's right all of today's problems's would be solved if Sandy Berger did not shred those documents. So shreading those documents started the Iraq war. Shreading those documents is why 3,000 people have died in Iraq. Shreading those documents is why Iraq is on the verge of civil war. So when is David going to move to the new century or is he caught up in the 1990's, like the Twilight Zone. Clinton is responsible for everything wrong in the world. Clinton is the new boogie man for the hatemongering republicans like David. You know David I could have writtem your response for you, you wrote just what I knew you would. You do not debate, you just keep smearing and fearing, because it is all you know how to do. It is sad that there are people like David that are allowed to vote. Ignorance should be a crime for people like David. They would vote for Hitler if he was leading the republican party. Because the republican party is more important to him than America itself.

To everyone else who has brought up Mississippi: I know that state, where Waveland, Bay St. Louis, and other once-charming villages were swept away by Katrina, and people ended up with slabs, had been harder hit by the storm itself. I often read "Rising from Ruin" and know not only about that, but also about the admirable efforts Mississippians have been making, working together to rebuild their communities under able leadership. (And Jane, Southern Mississippi, please accept my apologies. I'm afraid I pulled a "Kerry" when I made that stupid remark I didn't mean about the blizzard. Actually, I adore Mississippi and would like to visit there sometime.) Having powerful, effective Senators including Trent Lott and members of Congress and a Republican governor who enjoy a good relationship with President Bush which can grease the skids for aid can't hurt, either. Last but not least about Mississippi--here's something surprising I read about that state in StateMaster.com: Even AFTER having been hit by Katrina, the Gulf Coast is Mississippi's most affluent area. Now for Louisiana--anyone who doubts the fragile condition she's in and the hand the Bush Administration has had in it should see Spike Lee's documentary "When the Levees Broke": A Requiem in Four Acts." Oh, and TEC in Spring TX--if you take a look at the destruction depicted in the documentary, New Orleans and Louisiana's other ravaged parishes do have large areas which look as bad as Mississippi's storm zone does. For many New Orleans homeowners, their homes may have been left standing by the flood, but then after being cleaned of all damaged furniture, other debris and mold, then gutted, the homes are still in such disrepair structurally they need to be demolished. So, like Mississippians, many people in Louisiana have ended up with slabs and need rebuilding assistance. There's a somewhat surreal scene in "When the Levees Broke" with a Louisiana woman who literally has a slab left and shows where everything in her house used to be. She even has some furniture set up. But the devastation is not all that's interesting in Spike Lee's documentary--it also goes heavily into the political side of what happened--particularly what I'd call the power imbalance via which Louisiana, in spite of the fact that she is responsible for about 30% of the oil and natural gas produced in this nation, is being treated as a colony by the rest of the country, especially Texas. So Louisiana frequently gets the shaft--and here's an example: Mississippi got 30,000 FEMA trailers, while Louisiana only got 3,000, even though the need is far greater in Louisiana. And then there's the fact that President Bush doesn't really care about bringing back New Orleans, where so many who'd been scattered to the four winds by the storm were poor people of color. Had they instead been wealthy potential contributors to the GOP in some affluent state like Florida, it's easy to imagine how quickly the Bush Administration would have stepped up to the plate and helped out. Not to mention making a serious effort to rebuild the city and bring residents back. Thanks to Desmond for reminding me that after her hurricanes in 2004, President Bush was in his brother's fiefdom of FLORIDA handing out water. If the comparison with his obviously not giving a damn about Louisiana doesn't show his true colors, I don't know what does.

Thank You Ryan, Merry Christmas to you also. I only was concerned with how much of our personal life should be made part of our professional life. I just think there should be limits on how much employers intrude on people's personal lives for the sake of a job. I was mad at Clinton for dragging down the Democratic party with his office affair, but I think we wasted way to much time and effort to impeach him. I am just asking, can there be a balance btween our private lives and our professional lives. Where should that line be. I was emberassed for what Clinton did and I can probobly say that all democats were disgusted with Clinton's behaviour. Enough of politics, I do not know if you have kids Ryan, but watching my 10 year old christmas morning is like I was in heaven. I have never been more proud and happy in my life. We lost our first 2 kids 8 and 10 years before Tyler was born. I almost lost my wife and Tyler when he was born. My wife had Preclamxia w/HELP syndrome. That is when you here stories of women bleeding out in child birth, that is what my wife had. Thank God I was at hospital that could handle this procedure. So to celebrate with my family, struck home this year. My son has a couple of disabilities, but he is making it through school. Not the upper percentile, but he works hard to be in 5th grade. I am just thankful and wish everbody else the same happiness I felt on christmas. Semper Fi everyone

J Merle -- Great Posts!!! David and Ryan and the other Repugnicants: How are you going to answer the question from your kids/grandkids, "Why did you support the worst president in US history, daddy?"

Sadly, our major media outlet talkiing heads are beholden to the bosses at the top; or off w/ their heads. Murrow saw this in his day and lightweights like Rather, Jennings, Brokaw, et al; have felt the heavy hand of corporate censors who seek sponsorship dollars. CNN was beholded to Ted t now Time Warner. fox has to kiss the hand of Rupert M. There is no free, unbiased media in this world. All those who believe this are deluded!

Anybody else suffering 'Blogging Withdrawl'?? I'm sure Ryan is missing all the mortars lobbed his way:-)

A quote from the Guardian (UK) http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/joseph_stiglitz/2006/12/will_the_dam_break_in_2007.html "...Never has America's standing in the world's eyes been lower. Basic values that Americans regard as central to their identity have been subverted. The unthinkable has occurred: an American president defending the use of torture, using technicalities in interpreting the Geneva Conventions and ignoring the Convention on Torture, which forbids it under any circumstances. Likewise, whereas Bush was hailed as the first "MBA president," corruption and incompetence have reigned under his administration, from the botched response to Hurricane Katrina to its conduct of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq." Britain is our closest ally, and this is what one commentator thinks about George Bush. Well put.

Your quote for the day: “My fellow Americans,” Ford said, “our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works. Our great republic is a government of laws and not of men. Here the people rule.” Rest in Peace, President Ford.

As I sit here in the afterglow of X-Mas, with the kid going nuts on his X-box with Madden 2007, I try to imagine the First Family and their afterglow. Laura and the twins, doing shooters of Pulque and Starka Vodka behind the horse barn, and Dubya in the 'Decider' room, wishing he had a Brandy Alexander. He keeps turning over the Fortune Telling Eight-ball that continues saying "Answer unclear...try again later." The computer is saying "You've Got Mail!" but it's only Poppy, crying about how Jeb won't be President 'cause Dubya put a Pox on the family name, and how all he wants for Christmas from now on is a lump of coal. Or Bar saying the twins should "Ruck Up" and enlist so Neil can hold his head up and run in 2012. Once in a while, Cheney will call to remind him of the Alternative Bohemian Owl God Ceremony that's coming up on New Years Eve, and would he like to go on a Safari? Or Jim Baker calling to tell him to stop making Poppy cry. It's the same old 'Deciding Thing", over and over. Maybe he could put it off until Lincoln's Birthday?

I am sure the Iraq decision has been made, weeks ago probably. But the President and his handlers need to be careful about the timing of their draft reinstatement announcement. The American people spoke loudly and clearly on election day, rejecting the war and the policies of the current administration. And the administration, in its silence, speaks loudly and clearly now, rejecting the will of the people. The administration must answer to the corporate criminals and religious maniacs who breathed life into it in the first place. And the fact that it can no longer lie to us and get away with it is no deterrent. 2008 is around the corner, and with it the chance to reclaim our country and our heritage. But in the meantime, more men and women will die in a needless war, and the will of elitists and demagogues will rule the day.

Steve Turner, Nice piece of writing. The Ghosts of Christmas, indeed. The Ghost of Christmas Future may be too disturbing for First Family viewing. Sorry, there will be no George Bailey sing along to close this picture. For we, the beleaguered citizens of Potterville, the end of this nightmare can't come soon enough. The bells are not of angels and wings, but rather they toll... and toll... and toll... Cheers.

Q.)When doing my post-Christmas shopping, I found a "Family Values Tour" CD. How was I able to tell they meant conservative family values? A.) The CD was marked, "Parental Advisory--Explicit Content."

Olivia, you still do not understand what I am trying to convey. The damage in Louisiana cause by Katrina was not comparable to Mississippi. If you include the damage that was suffered as a result of Rita, then the damage exceeds Mississippi. As not well defined in the media, the areas that suffered storm surge was far more devastated. If Rita came ashore where predicted, in the Galveston Bay area, then the devastation would have been more extreme than any one experienced in Louisiana or Mississippi. I was trapped at my home as Rita approached with no way out. I had stocked up and thought I was prepared, but no one is truly or can be totally prepared for a storm of that magnitude. Boarding up a house is no protection from the direct onslaught of a category five storm. In hind sight, I can see how fruitless storm preparation is. As my neighborhood, prepared for the wrath of Rita, we thought our work was prudent, but if your house is washed out to sea, then no amount of preparedness will suffice. We were fortunately spared the worst of Rita, but suffered. A multitude of families in Texas, were without homes or had severely damaged homes and FEMA was no quicker to respond. My sister house, in Panacea Florida, was flooded almost three years ago and FEMA was slow to respond and the only response was to deny help, because they did not claim that the house was more than 50% damaged. So they have repaired and raised their house so no more flooding will damage their home. Unlike New Orleans, their property values have decreased. New Orleans made for good TV, so many of the other tragedies have gone unreported. The Federal government has basically stated that we are not the first line of defense against hurricanes and that statement is applicable no manner what your address. New Orleans is tragic, and so are all other areas damaged by hurricanes. We can spend money on a bridge to no where in Alaska, on Tsunami relief in Asia and the war in Iraq, but not to repair the bridges and roads in our own country. We should not forget the people of Louisiana, but we should also remember all of the people who have suffered Hurricane damaged over the last three years. New Orleans is just a small part of a bigger tragedy and because of New Orleans unique history; it will be raised from ruin.

TEC, the gulf coast has seen a lot of damage due to Hurricanes in the past three years. I have not forgotten. There are many of our citizens that have not recovered. For myself, what I saw in New Orleans, was what I already knew. There were many people there living below the poverty line in a big city in the United States. Seen it before, was not news to me. From what I understood, because New orleans was a big city, and had one of the ost famous histories, and certainly, tourist history, a lot of people were amazed to see how the people in parts of New Orleans lived and the true nature of their poverty. Personally, I feel our current government failed the whole gulf region. I also feel that those who had inside contacts to this Administration, were given the inside edge. Does not mean it will help them in the long haul. For me, Katrina reminds me that we had a whole lot of people in a whole lot of hurt. some got aid sooner. Others did not. But in the end, we could not help that part of the country enmasse. That is the story I get out of it.

Desmond and Olivia, I am a Mississippian who has voted Democrat all my live, with the exception of voting for Gerald Ford when he lost. His death and all the reports on all the news programs just reminded me of that fact. The only time my candidate has every won for president has been when I voted for Bill Clinton twice. Desmond, don't dump everybody in the same boat and malign my state. This is home. I don't badmouth your states because what would it accomplish? Nothing. States are made of individual voters, and I only wish that the way our presidents are elected would change. I wish they would do away with the electoral college. Then my vote would actually count. I also wish that the census would count only legal citizens, instead of all residents. States with illegal aliens have gained representation, while states like mine lost representatives in 2000, and if people don't come back to Louisiana, they will lose representation also.

Katrina and New Orleans- a tragedy for All Americans. UberHyped by media due to the large number of disadvantaged minorities trapped there; due to economics and inept state and local govt. Sad but true; rough but fair.

Jane, I am not maligning you our your State. I do think that your State has people in power that have direct influence with the White House. And I do think the whole Gulf area has not gotten the assistance it needs. Senator Lott could be doing much more for his State to help in the rebuilding. He will be in a leadership position once again in the Senate. I think the voters of Mississippi should make sure their Governor and Senators and House Reps, hols the government accountable, if they feel it is needed. I have seen alot of coverage in print and on TV about the area in Mississippi affected. I am not dumping on you, I am dumping on the presentadministration that has failed the whole area. Now that Senator Lott is back in power, hopefully he will speak loud and often about what is still needed. If he does not, if the state leaders do not, then the people of Mississippi who need help will once again, be forgotten. Just like in Louisiana and Florida.

The thing I always liked about Gerald Ford was that he never wanted to be President. How many of them can say that? He just wanted to be a Senator from Michigan. What every Wolverine football player dreams of, right? And pretty much the goal of every Big Ten football player in every State. He and Carter were the lowest-keyed Presidents we ever had...and I miss that. RIP Gerald. Go Big Ten.

Gerald Ford will probably be remebered best for falling down stairs and being the butt of lyndon Johnson jokes. However, he was a humble man whose wife, through her human foibles, became something more than a cheerleader for her husband. Mr. Ford was no great intellect but he had something our current non-intellectual leader hasn't shown to date: good common sense.

TEC: Thanks for the informative, thought-provoking post. I had no idea you'd gone through Rita, which sounds as if it would have been scary. I'm sorry to hear you suffered, but am glad to hear you were spared the worst. I've an idea that, unfortunately, no one inside the Beltway (at least who has any sort of political clout) has even dreamed of. This would be a "Marshall Plan" to help the entire area affected by Katrina, Rita, and Wilma. So it would not only cover Louisiana and Mississippi, but also Texas, Alabama, and Florida. I know the area affected by Katrina alone is the size of Great Britain, so that would take a lot. The devastation in each state including infrastructure damage and the rebuilding needs of her people would be meticulously assessed, as well as what each state is able financially to do to help her own people recover, so that true need, not politics, would be used to determine what each one gets. I read what you said about multitudes of families in Texas and your sister in Florida who had problems with FEMA's slowness even though their homes were in bad shape or they were homeless--part of the plan would be to abolish FEMA and replace it with something far more effective, that doesn't require disaster survivors to jump through hoops and wait for ages to get the rebuilding help they need.) And like you said, if we can build a "bridge to nowhere" in Alaska, send tsunami relief, and fight the war in Iraq (which, I heard, has been costing $2 BILLION per WEEK), the government ought to be able to dig deep into its pockets to fund such a Marshall Plan. I know there are those who'll complain about taxes, but I'd rather see mine going towards rebuilding the storm zone and helping Americans, than going down some rathole overseas. It's a pity the Democrats (per Pelosi) have scratched the idea of impeachment--I think a better idea would be for them to offer the Bush Administration the following deal: either they come up and implement with a meaningful plan to help the areas affected by Katrina, Rita, and Wilma recover, or both Bush and Cheney will be impeached at the same time (to eliminate Cheney's ending up in power.) Back to hurricanes (and other disasters, which in the new normal, include terrorist attacks)--about the federal govermnent saying it shouldn't be the first line of defense--in an ideal world this wouldn't be necessary, because individuals and families, then cities and other communities, and then states would be able to prepare for disasters--but unfortunately the magnitude (such as the Category 5 you mention) can be so great that such preparation is fruitless. Also, a hard fact of life is, the better off a person, city, or state is financially, the easier it is to prepare....

Olivia. I've got one perspective I'd like tomention about the Gulf Coast, and every coast I guess. when I was overseas, I stopped on Wake Island for refueling. The high pint on the 'Island' is about two feet above sea level. The average is about eight inches above high tide. You get the picture, right? Now the buildings on Wake Island (as I remember from 38 years ago) were two story concrete bunkers with the bottom story, essentially open to the winds. when a fifty footer was coming in over the atoll, I'd imagine they'd scramble up to the second floor and take the wave from inside the bunker. If another Katrina comes along, or should I say, when, it would be much better for the homeowners to have a Pacific Sea Level-style of home than the Instant Breakaway-style of stapled mansions that will undoubtedly reappear. The Wake Island dwellings, I assume, only look beautiful AFTER a Typhoon.

So, Ford believed that the Iraq invasion was a mistake. Too bad he didn't say this when it could have made a difference. Today's news that Ford didn't want this interview to be revealed until his death puts him in the same category as McNamara (Vietnam era) and Colin Powell -- a coward. His legacy will forever be tainted by this unpatriotic act of cowardice.

bob,denver, I agree with your statement 100%.

Bob,denver, It is traditional and probably a good idea for ex-presidents not to actively and publicly argue with the current president. At 93 years I imagine that Gerry Ford did this interview with Woodward as a way of picking his time to take his shot in such a way that Bush and Co. could not respond. Had he been alive when it was released you can be sure that Karl Rove and his shameless band of Pit Bulls would not have hesitated to retaliate in the most cowardly way possible. Now the administration has no choice but to make nice or look like the ugly political beasts that they are. My guess is that they will use their second and third level ditto heads at Faux News and rightwing nut radio to make some kind of response. If you want to talk cowards let us talk about the Republicans and Democrats that voted for this war. Lets talk about all the American citizens who go shopping and ignore this obscene war. Lets talk about the lame crop of college students now at our universities who study on while a war is fought in their name by a "soldier class" of Americans. There are plenty of cowards in this country right now. Gerry Ford is not one of them. I think he used is own death to step up one more time to the bully pulpit and use it to wound Bush in such a way that would protect his family from Worm Tongue Rove. We could use a good Ford right now.

The news says the Iraq War GI's know somethings cooking and just want to come home in one piece. In 1969, when the Vietnam GI's knew the retreat was on, it changed them. The year before we were all still pretty gung-ho. The new guys coming in in 69 were already spooked when they hit the tarmac. Heroin addictions went up as they couldn't face the prospect of dying in a retreat, or as the Chinese would say "...dying like a dog." Hope this years' model dosn't have to stay till 2008, just to fill Dubya's Purgatory Envy.

Another news flash...Hang'em High comes to Baghdad! Looks like his Olympic Bid is off, as Saddam is going to get his neck stretched, maybe as I sit here typing! Delivered up to his enemies according to "Dubya's Geneva Convention Guidelines" (Dubyatalk/w English Subtitles), they might just garrote him in the truck on the way out of the Green Zone, but the throttling is sure to be seen on Al-Jezeera and videos will undoubtedly be sold on the shopping channels. He's hoping for the traditional 'Martyr's Paradise' with the fountains, gardens, and peacocks, hashish and harems full of virgins, etc. but might have to settle for something less, since he wacked a few too many good Muslims for Allah's sense of compassion. If he ends up in Rock and Roll Heaven, he'll arrive just in time for James Brown's first show..."In A Cold Sweat! Poppa's got a brand new BAG! This Is A Mans' World! Heaven! Haaaa!". RIP(tentatively) Saddam.

Gary, I think we're on the same side. My point is that real leadership means demonstrating the courage to stand up against Rove, Faux, etc. and take the heat when it matters, not after the fact and after you're dead. I know that it hasn't been easy to protest this war from the beginning, even I felt a little intimidated at times. Someday, someone will look at the comparisons between Bush and the Nazi Germany propaganda tactics. (Start with Goebbels motto that you repeat the big lies often enough and people will ultimately believe them.) We all have to stand up against Bush. Which reminds me: Has anyone seen Hillary lately?? Barack has wisely called this new plan an ESCALATION, not a "surge". Where has Hillary's "leadership" been? I hope I'm still alive before we learn what Hillary really thinks.

I'm curious..they say famous people's deaths occur in series of three. James Brown was Number One, President Ford was Number Two...But regarding Saddam Hussein, when he's hanged, will he be considered Number Three, or does only apply to natural deaths and unforeseen accidents and murders?

Steve--Interesting post. I've always wondered how Wake Island was named. Another idea I have on disaster preparation: Each state should within her borders have several large stockpiles of rescue, evacuation, and relief supplies and other resources that would be needed following a major disaster. The supplies would include such things as bulldozers to clear blocked roads and other things that would facilitate delivery to the stricken area. The amount of such stockpiles would depend on the size of the state, but they would need to be spread out in diverse locations so that were one area hit by a disaster that wipes out its stockpile, other areas can readily send theirs. For example, Illinois would have them at Chicago, Champaign, Peoria, Springfield, etc. This would prevent the sort of mess that happened in New Orleans when fire trucks and other firefighting equipment, school buses, and other necessary resources were submerged under water, which necessitated their being called in from other states. And back to Katrina, Rita and other storms--the reason I'm so concerned about the Bush Administration's slow response, current governmental inaction and the fact that so long after the storm rebuilding in New Orleans and other communities has been slow is not only because of the people there who are still in a world of hurt, but also my view that this should be considered not a mere local or regional issue affecting Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, etc., but a national issue. Reason being, a disaster or terrorist attack could happen at any time in any part of the country.

Alice. Since Saddam claimed the poisoning of the Kurds was an unforseen accident, meaning the murders were natural deaths, he probably doesn't qualify for 'The Trio of Posthumous Stars'. He's more infamous than famous, don'tcha think? Just wait a couple more days, someone famous is bound to conk out. Maybe Nick Nolte or one of those actors who look like death warmed over in their DUI mugshots. Or maybe Dick Clark won't make it through his 129th New Years Rockin' Eve. I ain't feelin' so hot myself, but then, I ain't famous.

Independent News Update. "God Sends Tornado's After Dubya!" The President, the First Lady, and two of the First Dogs were stalked by an Arc Angel of Death, during their stay at "The Freak Show Ranch", outside of Crawford, Texas. With Cyclones and Dust Devils whirling ominously around the Armoured Limousine, our Nations' Top Characters trembled uncontrollably till Secret Service Agents administered Medicinal Brandy and Peyote Buttons. Emerging from the vehicle, some eight hours later, the President was heard to say, "...Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice...Shamu the whale.", as the Dogs ask for a Yaqui Exorcism for the Ranch, while the First Lady translated.

Bob. denver I have no doubt we share the same views. I just wanted to stand up for Ford. I didn't vote for him but I consider him, along with Carter, to be competent honorable men of Presidential caliber unlike the current pretender...er President. Ford was a past leader out of public life. He earned his right to pick his time and say or not say what his opinion was. I am thankful that he spoke out from the grave. It will prevent Bush from taking a breather during this state funeral like the 12 day respite he had during Reagan's. I am also in agreement that this country has more problems than Iraq. I have lived to see Habeas Corpus, the corner stone of democracy, signed away by this spoiled child dressed in Presidential cloths. Then I watched in shame as NOTHING HAPPENED. NO ONE PROTESTED! When Fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross. -Sinclair Lewis" BRING THEM HOME!

Saddam is gone; yes, it is about oil. think- al-Qadea in control of Iraq, w/ all that revnue from oil. OMG. horrible in content and thought the global mayhem they would bring forth. so, yes, a stable Iraq is in our interest.

Bush and Laura had to take cover at the Crawford ranch yesterday because there was a tornado warning. First time I've ever rooted for the tornado!

Steve, now that you mention it, Saddam is more infamous than famous, so he probably doesn't qualify. How about if one of those famous anorexic bimbos who could most accurately be portrayed by drawing a stick figure could pop off, due to under-eating and over-doing the drugs? That hopefully would show women who worry so much about every calorie they only eat bitter vetch--and then in minuscule quantities, that thin isn't so hot after all. Oh, and hang in there--you're famous in this blog, and we'd all miss you.

Just saw the guys in the ski masks with Saddam. He maybe thought his Olympic Bid went through (although he was hoping for the Summer Olympics). Once the U.S. Judge OK'ed it (what's with that?), the Iraqi's picked him up, wished him a Happy New Year, and dropped the floor out from under him (somebody should tell them there are 13 loops in a Hangmans' Noose). Now all that's left is the deposition of the body. The Sunni's want it for a Lenin-type Mausoleum, the Shiia want it to mince up with fingernail clippers in the hands of a hundred thousand self-flaggelating celebrants, and Dubya wants it stuffed and looking Bad in his Presidential Libary with a sign that says, "Hey Poppy! Got One Of These?". I'm waiting for the Saddam Hussein Action Figure, complete with Gallows and a variety of costumes, including those little Swiss Hats he wore...And! His gold-plated AK-47! But that will have to wait till Next Christmas.

3000 AMERICAN MILITARY DEATHS "The sacrifice has been worth it. I haven't questioned whether or not it was right to take Saddam Hussein out. I mean, I've questioned it -- I've come to the conclusion that it was the right decision." President and Commander-in-Chief, George W. Bush Perhaps the rest of America might want to ponder that one, give it some more thought... that is, in fact, the ONLY question: HAS IT BEEN WORTH IT?

Last day of 2006, 3,000 of our soldiers dead in Iraq. Over 22,000 injured, Iraqis dying at a rate of about 2,000 enough. Our President, vacationing, riding his bike today at his ranch.He was not there at the Capitol to great a former President, when gerald ford came in a casket to lie in State at the Rotunda. A President that was a memeber of his own political party. taking the day to bicycle and have dinner with friends tonight to celebrate the New Year.too busy for Gerald ford and his family, to busy for the families of the soldiers who have died in Iraq and Afhganistan, too busy for the American people. too busy postponing another speech until mid January on his new plan for Iraq.If he likes it so much at his ranch and cannot seem to accomplish his duties as President, it may be time for him to resign along with Cheney, who always seems to be at an undisclosed location, hinting fishing, whatever.

Mark. Isn't it somethin' that when you quote Dubya, it always gets disjointed somewhere. He didn''t question it and he did question it? Everything follows that disconnect. He didn't come to any conclusion and it wasn't right? It wasn't a sacrifice and it wasn't worth it? In the first place, there seems to be no conclusion to the man, he decides what's right for him and his, he hasn't sacrificed a thing, and it hasn't been worth it to anybody but he and his. When he was elected, I questioned it, came to the conclusion he was a perfected Pinochio, decided to hold up the mirror to his nose in whatever way I could, sacrifice my anonimity (held silent since Vietnam), and try to find the worth of every American who has been belittled by this Government. There are many out there, and growing all the time. As for Dubya, he is not worthy.

Steve, well said. I remember the election of 2000 and how unusually neutral I was. W seemed like a dimmer bulb than his dad, but apparently sincere and moderate. Perhaps he would be a latter day Gerry Ford, striking a centrist pose and at least not do much harm. The stolen election bothered me, but I thought back to JFK and shrugged. Politics in America. Then came 9/11 and I was disturbed by all the flying around in Air Force One and the "deer in the headlights" look on his face. Then he grabbed a bullhorn and became President and Commander-in-Chief. I hoped for the best with the other 90% of America and virtually the rest of the world. This unspeakable tragedy had offered GWB the opportunity to be an adult, to transcend his seedy, mediocre past; he had the world in his hands. Fast forward a few months and the fiasco of Colin Powell's presentation to the UN... I was unbelieving that they were actually going to Iraq... Afghanistan, yes, but where was Osama, and now Iraq? And on such goofy evidence. I kept hoping, praying we would not do this. It seemed insane at the time, I refused to think about it... had more faith in the intelligence of the American people, our system of government. Perhaps the 9/11 wounds were too fresh for a majority of our citizens, perhaps the flim-flam worked. Nonetheless, our Senate and Congress caved and here we are: up to our sparkely epaulets in alligators, mired in the worst possible national mess. Left insecure at home and abroad... cynicism in this country and international terrorism on the rise. Cynicism is the half of it. It is morning in America's 2007 and we are a nation Pearl Harbored by our own national "leaders." All we have to fear is fear, the fear on the face and tongues of our own Commander-in-Chief. I was wrong. He was not a dimmer version of GHWB, he was a loser, an indulged frat boy never grown up, without honor or courage... without a plan, without a clue. Like the kid in "Home Alone," his folks, and we as a nation, left him in charge of the house and it has been trashed while were on vacation. Shopping. My only hope remains in the inherited wisdom, the dignity and surpassing honor of this great nation and its wonderful people. Sometimes here on this blog, I get a taste of that, and then sometimes I just cannot believe that there are so many out there who have bought into the poorly executed illusions of those who have brought us to this sad hour in less than six years. This is not about Democrats, Republicans, liberals, conservatives, finding policies that are always right, or finding the elusive person to lead us without human error. This is about regaining our national sanity before the United States of America becomes the protagonist in a classic Greek tragedy. Gaining our senses before we melt like the once invincible Polar Ice Cap. I have a beautiful granddaughter with dual citizenship, we want her to grow up in America, to inherit something of what has been entrusted to us. Is it too late? So Mr. President, was it worth it? 3000 families want to know, beyond the stuttering. America the beautiful and God's Creation await a better answer.

Mark Theime, I have a grandchild. Tell my grandchild every time we meet the day of the week and the date. That is a fact. Take my grandchild to my backyard to say hi to the tree and look at the sky and birds. These are also real, we can see them. That is what we should be focused on, the facts. It is difficult to find those with the hype and spin. Takes some time. When in doubt, go back to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, all answers are found there. I do not think the Founding Fathers would be so pleased with us today. Hanging noose, man we supported, then named an enemy, neck broke, dangling. I will teach my granchild the truth about that. If you do the same, and know your history, your grandchild , will have the tools to live by.

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