Iraq

What can I add to what far more powerful voices such as Keith Olbermann and Senator Feingold have already said? (Sen. Feingold: "I cannot support a bill that contains nothing more than toothless benchmarks, and allows the president to continue what may be the greatest foreign policy blunder in our nation's history. There has been a lot of tough talk from members of Congress about wanting to end this war, but it looks like the desire for political comfort won out over real action. Congress should have stood strong, acknowledged the will of the American people, and insisted on a bill requiring a real change of course in Iraq.")

I would say that what is worst of all about the seizure of national power by a conspiracy of murderous thieves is that it has been normalized. One expects a country with a democratic tradition, that has experienced an authoritarian takeover, the suspension of constitutional order, and revolting crimes committed in the name of its people to experience a political backlash. Now that we have the chance, one would think that we would turn decisively away from thuggish liars who have brought such disasters upon us.

But no. That would be "uncivil," it would be inappropriately "partisan." If the Democratic Party that controls both houses of Congress were to carry out the will of the majority of voters who elected them, and cut off funding for the occupation of a distant land where we are pouring lives and treasure into a bottomless pit for no more reason than the megalomaniacal delusions of a fool -- well, said megalomaniacal fool might call them names. So obviously they can't do that.

Nor can they exercise their constitutional power and civic duty to remove from office those officials who have betrayed their oaths of office, assaulted and dishonored the constitution, and soaked our flag in blood. That would be irresponsible and it's just off the table.

Sen. Reid, Speaker Pelosi, you have betrayed us. You have failed us. The sword of honor was offered to you and you turned away in cowardice, to your everlasting shame.

Update: And tell this guy why you had to give the Decider his war.

A 21-year-old National Guard soldier from Luverne, Minn. is recovering in Germany after being wounded by a bomb in Iraq.

The parents of Spc. Andrew Hanson say their son called them to let them know that the Humvee he was driving had been hit by a bomb. Felicia Hanson said her son called to say his right leg was amputated below the knee and his left leg was amputated at the knee. Felicia Hanson and her husband, Jack, were not told how many soldiers were in the Humvee.

The military doesn't normally announce incidents in which there are not immediate deaths of U.S. military personnel. We can only try to piece them together from local stories like this one. The national media don't bother to try, and seldom mention injuries. They usually ignore deaths as well, although they may do a weekly roundup or something like that. If they have to mention it, they still usually say "more than 3,000 deaths." Actually it will be 3,500 by the end of this month, at the rate we're going.

Hey, at least we put a stop to Saddam's nuclear program.