Thursday, December 31, 2009

My Experience Trying To Find Out Road Conditions

All I wanted to do was find out what the road conditions were in Iowa. So I thought, Go to McDonalds. I always see they have internet access. I did, and guess what, you need a subscription to McDonald's internet to log on. I don't spend a lot of time in McDonald's, just when we're traveling, so naturally I didn't have a subscription.

Then I thought, they always have it at the rest stops. So we got to the first one in Iowa on the south side. Pulled in and it wouldn't work. It sort of halfway worked ... at first. But before I got connected to the site that has the road map, showing green for good, blue for fair, etc., it quit working. Just sat there sputtering and never loading. It said it was "connecting" but it never did.

So we went on. I checked a couple other places, and it said there wasn't anything available. But at one of those places I might've had my wireless access off, since that was an issue later on.

Then we stopped at the next rest stop, and I was pessimistic, since it was going to the same place -- nomadix -- and sure enough, it wouldn't work. Just sat there saying it was "connecting" even though it never did.

Then at a gas station, there was nothing available.

Anyway, thanks to this great technology, I found out about the roads when I came to them. And not before!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

A Big Difference Between Democrats And Republicans

When there's a terrorist attack, the Democrats rally around the president, like after 9/11, even when the president is a Republican. But when the president is a Democrat, the Republicans play the blame game and seek partisan advantage.

Who's the patriots in this picture?

The System Worked

It is shameful how the Republicans and some in the media, who are either too hyper partisan to care about the truth or to lazy to double check and tell the whole story, have twisted Janet Napolitano's words on whether the system worked or didn't work.

First, I don't know what kind of system they're talking about that will prevent every bad thing from ever happening. If that's the system they're expecting to be in place, they're going to be sorely disappointed every time. (I should say, in regard to the Republicans, to them any kind of terrorist attack is good news; 1) because they want to turn everything against President Obama (that's the kind of folks they are); and 2) because with fear mongering they hope to retake power, why? So they can fear monger us into keeping it, like they did in the Bush years.)

It's not too hard to actually see or read what Napolitano said. And anyone who knows how to read won't read it differently, unless, again, it's simply partisan spin you're after and not the truth.

Once this incident occurred, everything went according to clockwork, not only sharing throughout the air industry, but also sharing with state and local law enforcement. Products were going out on Christmas Day, they went out yesterday, and also to the [airline] industry to make sure that the traveling public remains safe. I would leave you with that message. The traveling public is safe. We have instituted some additional screening and security measures, in light of this incident, but, again, everyone reacted as they should. The system, once the incident occurred, the system worked.
First, there was an incident. That's the breaking in of reality against any system that is not perfect. How can any system be "perfect" against the countless variables that life presents? It looks like what she's talking about there is the system as it "reacts" to the incident ... in the phrase "everyone reacted as they should." Then the last sentence only says "the system worked "once the incident occurred." There's no other way to read it, except for ne'er-do-wells like the Republicans.

(If they can't read a couple sentences and get the actual gist of them, how is it we would trust us to keep us "safe" in a complex and dangerous world? Bush would actually be at war with Timbuktu by now!)

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Standard Practice Not To Pay For Things

Finally, one of the Republicans accidentally blurted out the truth about something.

We know the Republicans are against anything that might add a cent to the federal deficit, even though the Democrats insist that their programs are paid for. And whether they are entirely or not, at least someone appears to be giving some thought to it and trying to make sure it's all covered.


How different from the Republican years, when they didn't care a thing about the deficit, and ran it up, leaving nothing behind but red ink. Here's the accidental honesty of one of the Republicans, Orrin Hatch:

Six years ago, "it was standard practice not to pay for things," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah. "We were concerned about it, because it certainly added to the deficit, no question." His 2003 vote has been vindicated, Hatch said, because the prescription drug benefit "has done a lot of good."
So his 2003 vote has been vindicated because it "has done a lot of good." I'm sure universal health care would do a lot of good as well. So why were the Republicans against it? Because they were afraid it might run up the deficit is one of their flimsy reasons. Of course we know they have a completely partisan reason for opposing it. Because they're actually afraid it will do people a lot of good and they, the Republicans, won't get any credit for it. They're banking on failure. If the country fails, then the Republicans will be happy.

I actually remember one point in the Bush presidency, conservatives were arguing that deficits didn't matter, as long as they were a relatively small percentage of the GDP. That was their argument then.

Friday, December 25, 2009

Lennart Sandbergh


This is the only JPG of this album on the internet insofar as I know. I've searched for it a few times and didn't come up with anything. I came up with another LP he made but I don't see any pictures of this one.

This one is not as good as it should be. I have a hard time taking pictures of LP covers and getting them square. They're usually at a little angle or crooked or something and I have to trim them to make a square. So it's missing some red, and it's a little crooked.

But it's still good enough.

This seems like an interesting album. I've heard it. It's very straightforward. No big production values. A man of devotion and his lute.

Lennart, according to other information on the internet, was the Rev. J. Lennart Sandbergh. He played this instrument, the ten-stringed lute, and according to the album cover, he was the country's only touring lute player.

The other info I got on the internet is this. He was born March 24, 1911 and died April 22, 1985. He was born in Holmsund, Sweden, and died in a nursing home in Rockford, Illinois. He was ordained in 1932. Some of this information is from "The Alliance Witness," which is online, dated July 31, 1985. Check cmalliance.org

The Alliance is a missionary denomination, and he began service with them in 1962, serving as an evangelist and song leader in camps and missionary conferences until he retired in 1978. He was closely associated with the Salvation Army as well.

He was survived in 1985 by his wife Karin and two children.

The record is on Christian Faith Recordings label. Catalog number LS-1239.

Side One: Beautiful Home; Devotion (Lute Solo); Cling to the Rock; Meditation (Lute Solo); Nearing the Shore; Nearer My God to Thee (Accordion Solo).

Side Two: Hallelujah, I Have Found Him; While the Spirit Passes By; If You Know the Lord; Forgive Me Lord; It May Be Today; In Times Like These.

The Notes:
Singing and Playing by Lennart Sandbergh

Formerly One of the Renowned Northlanders of Sweden

Internationally Known Tenor Soloist

Artist on Lute, Accordion, and Piano

16 Years Pastoral Experience

Meet LENNART SANDBERGH, the musician, and two things strike you. The first is an interesting Swedish background which manifests itself in his somewhat unique musical presentation. The second is his specialty instrument, the sweet-sounding, ten-stringed lute, which dates back to Bible days.
In his native Sweden, Lennart Sandbergh is an ordained minister. His 16 years as a pastor were spent with the Salvation Army and were followed by four years of musical tours sponsored by the Swedish government. His rich tenor voice and his adeptness on the lute, piano, and accordion quickly won the hearts of his countrymen. He has performed in England, Norway, Finland, Canada, Cuba, and in the Bahamas.

In the United States, Lennart Sandbergh together with Ake Forsberg formed the now renowned Northlanders of Sweden. Around four years, the inspirational music of this consecrated vocal-instrumental duo won praise at conferences, camps, and churches all over the country.

Now Lennart Sandbergh is on his own, and his musical ministry continues on the highest spiritual and professional plane. His distinction as the country's only touring lute player is some evidence of the rarity of that ancient instrument. But you soon see that his presentaion is rare also. To hear him is to be entertained, to be inspired, and to know that here is a man truly advancing the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ.

HI-FIDELITY ALMA RECORDS, INC.
33 1/3 RPM    RESEDA, CALIFORNIA

Thursday, December 24, 2009

The Republicans Have Zero Ideas

The health care reform bill made it through the Senate, finally being approved 60-39.

Republican Mitch McConnell, universally known as a worthless scoundrel, had this to say: "This fight is long from over. My colleagues and I will work to stop this bill from becoming law. That's the clear will of the American people."

No, the clear will of the American people was made known in the 2008 election, which McConnell and the others ignore. Yes, with a lot of ignorant lies -- "Death Panels," "Killing Grandma" -- you can get a lot of people worked up. But that's not "the clear will" of the American people. That's demagoguery and fear-mongering.

If McConnell and the other crumbs had one lick of sense as it relates to "the American people," they would've been putting forth some good ideas over the last year's debate. Or, before that, they would've been doing something decent for health care in the years they were in power. But no.... It's easier to do nothing and tear down anyone who's trying to do something.

Where's the Republican ideas? There aren't any.

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

The Senate On Christmas Eve

They say the Senate is finally going to vote on health care reform tomorrow. In the morning, as I understand, so all the members can go do their Christmas activities.

Get it over with. I just wish it would be gotten over with! But now they have to work out some kind of deal between the Senate and House. Wow, is all legislation as tough to work through as this? It makes me feel sorry for the members of Congress. This must be why we keep getting Crap for senators. It's such a bad job.

Anyway, they have their rules. And their rules say it's better to get nothing done than to get something done. So it's a minor miracle that we've gotten this far. And that something is going to come out of it.

There was an article today that said it might all be delayed until February. That is ridiculous in so many senses of the word. Just get it done. I'll say it slowly, for all you congressional bozos: Just get it done.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Parker Griffith - He Can't Be Trusted



Another great moment in the history of political advertising: "Parker Griffith, he can't be trusted!" the Republicans declared against the Democratic congressman from Alabama.

Now that he's switched parties and will be a Republican, we wonder if they really meant what they said. "He can't be trusted," but they're welcoming him with open arms.

It sounds like they had him pegged right. If he truly "can't be trusted," he'll make a wonderful Republican!

Monday, December 21, 2009

Tom Coburn Prays For Robert Byrd's Death

In this season of love and lights -- of peace on earth, good will toward men -- it's so in keeping with the spirit of things that Sen. Tom Coburn (Republican scoundrel from Oklahoma) prayed on the Senate floor for the death of Sen. Robert Byrd.

Why this sudden dire entreaty to the Almighty? Because Sen. Coburn opposes health care reform so much, to him it's a terrible travesty that the elected representatives of the several states would gather in a democratic way and vote for legislation. Never mind that we voted for health care reform when we elected Democrats and President Barack Obama. Why should the country ever get what it voted for?

Why these cretins, the Republicans, can't think before they open their foul yaps, is anyone's guess. If I'm busy misusing my religion to pray for the death of people, I'd be ashamed (first), then I'd hope no one noticed, so that perhaps I might repent and be back on the straight and narrow path. More would be the pity if I did it right on the Senate floor, where comity and good will are supposed to reign. Isn't that the place where you say "My most distinguished good friend from Virginia" right before you stick in the knife?

Sen. Byrd is over 90 years old. He deserves more from his colleagues than that.

Of course it's hard to come up with a one-to-one way of judging prayers and their results, since the Almighty is nothing if not inscrutable. But we can't help thinking perhaps God rejected Sen. Coburn's prayer and must favor some sort of health care reform in this country. Or maybe God just wants a better quality of prayers from His so-called followers. Like praying at football games that our team might win!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

The Senate's Going To Vote

I guess it's tonight ... or early in the morning, like 1 a.m., they'll be voting on something in the Senate relating to the health care bill.

I don't care for all their weird, arcane rules in the Senate. It would be better if they could simply do things in a common sense way. But they have their traditions. The whole thing about the filibuster ... I'm not a big proponent of that. I know it's been good to some extent in the past. But the Republicans have abused it. Which is ironic, because just a few years ago, when they were in the majority, they were arguing that the filibuster was unconstitutional. So it appears their principles are based on whose ox it is getting gored!

Anyway, whatever they're going to vote on tonight will advance it a little farther. Then perhaps, if everything goes well, they'll get something out of the Senate by Christmas Eve. Then they have to haggle it out with the House -- another round of sausage-making -- and finally, sometime, in the New Year, we'll have a bill on the president's desk for him to sign.

I hope it does the Democrats some good in 2010 to have this accomplishment. And I hope the "No" mentality of the Republicans -- worthless obstructionists every one -- comes back to bite them severely. May they go down the drain.

I like my Amazon.com ad for this posting. Band-Aids. Because if we're going to have health-care, what's health-care without something to put on your cuts? But, really, are there people who buy their Band-Aids on Amazon.com? Do you not have a grocery store in your area?

Technically, I need to say Band-Aid brand adhesive bandages. To help protect their trademark. I believe in saying things properly.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Health Care Reform Will Pass The Senate

I know a lot of people are fed up and angry about the health care negotiations in the Senate. So am I. But I'm not willing to throw my lot in with those who want to "Kill the Bill" and have nothing. Because apparently we're never going to get everything we want in this country, not as long as we have the big insurance companies, pharmaceuticals, and other assorted criminals dictating policy. And they're not going anywhere soon. So we may as well get what we can get.

Am I happy with President Obama? Not entirely but I'm not entirely unhappy either. He might just be pragmatic enough to know this is what he was going to get, no matter how much he twisted arms and kicked butts. Still, it'd be nice to see him throw some muscle around occasionally.

As for Harry Reid, I guess if we assume he has the same troubles as everyone else, the fact that some of our Democratic senators are just naturally recalcitrant, he probably did what he could do as well. So apparently they're going to get something done. And I believe that something is better than nothing.

One reason, it gives us something to build on. If we simply started over, then there's no guarantee we wouldn't get something worse. Hopefully, we can tweak what we have and make it better over time.

I wanted a lot more. But when it comes to these guys in the back pockets of special interests, of course we're not always going to get what we want.

Next time let's have fewer Republicans and more Democrats in Congress. Then our chances of negating crumbs like Ben Nelson and Joe Lieberman will be greater. The bigger our margin, the less influence these cretins will have.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Evernote, Worth Checking Out

First, I'm not an affiliate. I don't get any money for saying nice things about Evernote. No one's paying me.

But Evernote is a great program. You ought to check it out, if you're the kind of person (like me) who likes to keep track of information, even trivial stuff.

It's good for clipping stuff from the web too. And I found you can upload pictures of documents, whatever, and it not only keeps it in place, and stores a copy on your computer if you have the desktop client, but it does some kind of background OCR on it and you can search for words in the picture! That's great!

I've been working with it and uploading stuff. I'm about tapped out on my monthly allowance.

I didn't think I wanted to have the client on my computer, because of course it's storing everything on the computer forever. Then it syncs it with their server. I certainly didn't want it on my old computer -- I did have it but didn't use it much -- because I only had about 10 gig left of memory. It was a small hard drive.

Now with my new computer, there's still over 200 gig left, so I can handle it for a while. It'll take forever -- probably never make it -- for me to put that much stuff on Evernote.

One interesting thing about it, you can go to the website then, from any computer, type in your password and see your information. It's evernote.com, as you might guess.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

I'm Not A Fan Of The Senate

This having exactly 60 in the Democratic caucus sucks.

We either need 68-70 or 40-50. Then we could definitively get something done. Or definitively not get anything done.

This majority, having a so-called filibuster-proof majority, isn't squat when you have individual ne'er-do-wells in the caucus who are willing to gum up the works at their own personal whim.''

Having the single senator who can bring everything to a screeching halt, or who can dictate that everything will crash and burn, is an extremely bad system.

Down with the Joe Liebermans, Ben Nelsons, and Benedict Arnolds of the world!

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Anonymous Is Unmasked

We've all seen books of poetry and the occasional piece of music that were written by Anonymous. Anonymous is a very cagey name, helping you maintain your anonymity, but when it comes to the ego you're not getting much credit.

Yet we continue to see it, with many quotes, many poems.

I think people ought to believe me, since they have very little reason not to, when I say that I wrote the things that are signed Anonymous. If you can prove I wasn't alive when it was published, like says it was published in 1895, that would be a stumbling block for me, but thanks to the various unknowns surrounding the teachings of reincarnation, I can think of a workaround for it.

What if a guy did claimed to be the long lost Anonymous, now seeking recognition, and, as a sign of good faith, promises that all his back royalties (and future ones) will go to charity, the name of the beneficiary being, of course, kept anonymous.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Lieberman

What can you do with a guy like this? One guy who wants to sink the whole thing. It's unconscionable.

If I were him, I'd seriously try to fit in, seriously try to look out for the public good. I just don't see how you can be a U.S. senator and go so rogue. It's weird.

But my personality is one of "going along" when common sense seems to be on the side of a particular path. I'm contrarian to a certain extent, but it's not pathological. I have the public good in mind, I care about people's needs and feelings.

It would be very tough for me to be hated by the rest of the party I'm caucusing with. Very tough. I'd have a tough time getting up, going to work, and attending meetings with everyone, knowing everyone there wished I'd buzz off.

It's a real tragedy that Lieberman won his Senate seat back a few years ago. The guy is a definite scoundrel.

Monday, December 14, 2009

All Kinds Of Excitement In The Senate

It sounds like they've been stymied once again in the Senate on the health care bill. That is, Joe Lieberman has done his thing and insisted that they gut the provisions in the bill.

Joe Lieberman is one person I truly do not like. I still can't believe he was on the ticket in 2000. I thought Al Gore was supposed to be a smart guy.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Those Disgusting Cheneys

The disgusting Cheneys -- Father and Daughter -- continue to slander President Obama. Anything and everything he does is something that comes in for their harsh criticism.

I don't know if he snores, but if he does, please don't tell the Cheneys.

Whatever happened to the good old days, the previous eight years, when a president could do no wrong? I believe it was the Cheneys who believed in something called the Unitary Executive Doctrine, that a president couldn't be wrong simply by virtue of being the president.

It seems that they've changed their mind.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

The Budweiser Outtakes

I was in a restaurant today looking at a nice Budweiser Christmas card, a display on the table advertising their product and wishing us a good holiday.

There was nice picture of the Clydesdales and the spotted dog they have.

It made me think of how they're featured in the touchy feely ads, marching through the snow. The dog -- what's the dog do? -- sitting on the seat of the wagon.

Then it made me think of how they make the ads. Since you can't have a horse dropping a load in the ad or the dog peeing on something.

In all this thinking, it occurred to me that someone at Budweiser, or the ad agencies, must have quite a bloopers reel of the horses and dog. With the director shouting, "Cut! Put down some white snow there, backup, we'll shoot again in 15 minutes!"

Friday, December 11, 2009

I Cleaned Out My Desk Drawer

That sounds exciting, doesn't it?

It's not exciting, but it's an interesting process, except for the fact that I can't wait to get done when I'm doing unpleasant tasks like this.

It's weird, all the stuff you find.

This is the center drawer on the desk where I sit at my computer. I do lots of things with that drawer, mostly pulling it out and putting bowls of cereal, a plate with a bagel, etc., on it. And there's always such a load of junk in it that it's easy to do.

But now, tomorrow, I'll have to come up with some other arrangements, because I cleaned it out, and all the newspapers, phone book, and padding that supports plates is no longer there.

The interesting thing to find: little temporary credit card numbers over the last few years, scraps of paper with people's addresses, email addys, phone numbers, etc., business cards of people I met years ago, etc. I was researching a chiropractor from Kansas one time, trying to match him up with some papers I came across, and his contact information was there. Or his father's, something.

I kept the father's name and threw away the contact information for the son.

Money was in there, pennies, a nickel, a couple quarters. Some dead batteries. And lots of little miscellaneous crap, thumbtacks, pens, some literature on the Gigabeat, which is now out of my life forever. A couple CDs, some small books, a holy card with St. Teresa of Lisieux, a spoon, various bills, screw drivers, a tiny wrench, a cut up credit card, some Post It pads, etc., etc.

It's nice to have it clean!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

In A State Of Agitation Against Congress

Grrr. These guys don't deserve to "represent" turds in a septic tank.

The Republicans in Congress are totally worthless. The Democrats in Congress are spineless, corporate sell-outs. Which is worse? The Republicans, obviously. Which is next worst? The Democrats, or I should say the so-called Democrats.

Good grief. You'd actually think these bozos, ne'er-do-wells, and halfwits would actually want to get something positive accomplished on health care. We are the people who vote, right? If they could just extricate themselves from the big insurance lobby's pocket for five minutes, and perhaps unpucker their lips, suctioned tightly against the backside of some fat cat, maybe they'd see their way clear to serve us, We The People.

I can't believe we can't get anything decent done in this country. Remember "Yes We Can"? Another empty slogan.

President Obama doesn't seem to be helping matters.

Grrrrr.

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Dems Screw Us Over On Public Option

Bad news. It sounds like the public option is officially out.

A big raspberry to the faux Democrats in Congress.

Monday, December 07, 2009

The Republicans In Congress Are Idiots

And worse than that, they're worthless idiots.

Harry Reid likened their obstinacy to health care reform to the same old obstructionism that was in the way for abolishing slavery, women's rights, and civil rights. There's always someone (Republicans) who say the time isn't right, go slower, and start over.

And he's right.

So what do the Republicans say in response. Nothing but their usual "feigned outrage," that anyone would dare call them out.

Well, the fact is, they're trying to shut down the Congress' ability to get anything done. They have very selfish political interests at stake here. As far as they care, the whole country can go down the toilet. Just so their short term (and corporate) interests aren't disturbed.

Bah. I wouldn't vote for a single one of these Republican crooks if they were the only ones on the ballot. Vote 'em out is more like it.

Way to go, Harry. Speaking truth to idiocy.

Saturday, December 05, 2009

Keep The Word Ho Sacrosanct

Last year I heard someone bemoaning the fact that we might have to not use the word "Ho, ho, ho" as Santa's default laugh. This, because some idiotic ne'er-do'wells have preempted it as a shortened version of the word "whore."

That's ridiculous on many levels, which I probably don't need to specify entirely. It basically comes down to, If we don't know the meaning from the context, and if we can't separate these things out, and if we can't guess which meaning came first, blah blah blah, then we're stupider than I thought.

We used to play the game "Horse" with our dad and uncles. And we were kids, we didn't know about whores in those days. Probably kids do today, but back then, let's just say it was a more innocent time. If you know the game, you know you need to keep track of what you have. I can't think of how it goes exactly. But you step through the letters of "horse" after having shot the basketball. You come to "hor," and the kid, me in some cases, is going, "I've got a HOR." The adults are looking very uncomfortable. "He says he has a whore."

Personally, I would like to get rid of this ruining of our language by calling a whore a ho. If you're going to refer to whores, just say whore. Don't ruin Santa's laugh. He shouldn't have to change to a chuckle or a snicker. A good old fashioned Ho Ho Ho is just right.

Friday, December 04, 2009

The War On Christmas Knocks Off Peanuts

The idiocy of the far right is reaching new levels of absurdity. Can this be serious? I'm seriously asking, Can this be serious?

Search for the details if you want to know more. But I read at least the headlines today that some politician in Tennessee thinks that President Obama's speech the other night at West Point might have been an islamofascist plot, some kind of nefarious manifestation of the War On Christmas.

Why? Because apparently the Charlie Brown Christmas show was supposed to be on one of the channels and it was preempted by the president.

Stay tuned. We're waiting for the next idiot. We want to see if any of these morons can top that?

Thursday, December 03, 2009

My Windows 7 Computer

I finally got a different computer. I'm still using my old ones, though, because I haven't got everything installed on my new one, plus I'm thinking I might need to, because it doesn't seem like everything I used installs quite right.

I have some sound editing software, and there's some flukey thing about Windows 7 not having a way to record sound without having the built-in microphone also on. A big duh moment there for Microsoft? A giant step backwards?

My old Eudora mail program wouldn't install.

And I have some other work software that I haven't gotten around the testing, but I'm having my doubts. Meaning I'll be using these XP computers as well until they absolutely die.

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

The Democrats Trying To Cut Off Funding

I heard a report on CNN about many Democrats in Congress want to cut off funding for President Obama's plans for Afghanistan.

I find that disturbing. He's their President! Where were they when all the funding was going to President Bush's efforts? As I recall, yes, some wanted to cut off funding here or there. But they never got it done. Because there was a lot of paranoia that the Republicans would be able to successfully paint them as weak on defense, hating the troops, etc.

Now the Democrats are in power (sort of), with a Democratic president. And this is the time they pick to make a bold move?

It's real stupid. If they wanted to stand up to a president, as seems to be their daily inclination these days, they should've stood up to Bush.

As to Afghanistan, it might've been over with by now ... if the Democrats had exercised their desires to stand up to a president back when it came to the Iraq war buildup. Where were they then? Rolling over and playing dead for George Bush and his merry men of liars and crooks.

Tuesday, December 01, 2009

The President Is Going To Be Talking

I wonder if that one channel -- Fox -- will interrupt their programming to put the president on.

If they do, that's good. If not, I won't be watching it anyway. Since I already have other choices.

What exactly there is left to say, who knows? It seems like they've been systematically leaking the entire thing the last few days. With today's big revelation being that we are planning to withdraw (or start) from Afghanistan in 2011.

I heard that old canard that the enemy will wait us out, then move in. That's crazy. We have to act like we're staying everywhere for infinity to keep the enemy guessing? No. If we know when we're leaving, maybe it will make us focus and get the job done. No goal, no pressure.

There were many things to hate about the Bush administration. Everything for them was open ended. Wars were to be started, never ended. It was patriotic to start a war, unpatriotic to end one. The enemy was always in its last throes, but never quite vanquished. The big thing for the Bushies was to keep Halliburton in the green, not to win the wars. Their doctrine was, Perpetual War, Big Bucks.

Now Dick Cheney, that scourge, says he and the Bush administration has no responsibility for the state of affairs in Afghanistan. It's interesting to see Cheney's as disconnected from reality as ever. Too bad he's not in his last throes. Except the last throes for Cheney means perpetual existence, which we don't want. Someone check the Karmameter. Cheney's has to be beeping, smoking, or something.

Am I watching the President? I'm planning to. I support him, by the way. Get the stinking job done, at least sufficiently done to say we gave it our best effort. Then get out. Maybe get bin Laden, if he's still alive.