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A lousy day for the nation

Is it any wonder I've been steering clear of the news? Just look at today:
Another 37 US servicemen died in Iraq today, part of a wholly unnecessary action. I remain convinced that there is no possible end result to the situation in Iraq that will justify what's been done.

Bush held the first "press conference" of his second term (that phrase alone is more depressing than I can convey) where the media in general continued to toss softball questions and even put on the kneepads to pleasure him with a rigged questions concerning Hillary Clinton, the state of Social Security, and framing his political opponents as "out of touch with reality." Along with claiming success for the awful policies of his first administration came the promise to do more of the same, and the continued press towards destroying Social Security and replacing it with an increasingly privatized system that the United Kindgom adopted years ago, much to the current chagrin and impoverishment of its citizens. On a larger front, here's a look at the projected state of the budget deficit through 2015 following four different tracks of action. Also, just to put you in the spirit of what Bush is attempting to build as a fortress for our future... (Thanks to Tammy for the latter two touches.)

The best thing I can say about the swearing in of Condoleeza Rice as Secretary of State is that the 85:13 vote she received at least represents the largest "no" vote against any secretary of state nominee since 1825. Well, now she'll be able to please her husb -- the president even more than she did during the first four years.

On a less political note, I can't let this day go without noting Juan Manuel Alvarez' "suicide" plan that managed to kill at least 11 people and injure more than 180 when he parked his SUV on the train tracks just before dawn on the outskirts of Los Angeles today. Apparently he lost his nerve at the last moment... and got out of the truck.

What a wretched day.

Well, while I'm at it, I may as well direct you to a piece you may or may not have read concerning The Coming Wars.

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