Ever notice how often some set of statistics put out by the White House touts things being better "than at any time since 2000," or something similar?  It's because it's tough even for propagandists to spin something in this admin being positive if they have to compare themselves to other administrations.

There's a site called Nation Master, which purports to compare facts and characteristics of different countries.  I have no idea how reliable the data is, or how you could ever get reliable data on these issues, but here are some stats I found interesting.

The Republicans' insulting and underhanded effort to put the Iraq inspector general out of business, so that office can't publicize any more of the billions and millions that have been pissed away in Iraq, has ended.

Those blindly addicted to the idea that the "market" is next to Godliness keep pitching one stupid idea after another to solve the health care crisis in this country.  The latest: get yourself a high deductible health insurance plan then keep a real close eye on your health care expenses.

And we thought it was just the election that proved that? Neat piece, from the NY Times reveals that the Iraq report clearly shows: Ain't no joy left in Mudville...

A third of self-professed liberals listen to conservative talk radio. Why ? Because we offer hope.

When you have a huge budget deficit and need to spend some $8 billion a month in the money pit called Iraq, what's left for military life, training and equipment here in the U.S.?  Not much.

There is no guarantee for success in Iraq. The situation in Baghdad and several provinces is dire. Saddam Hussein has been removed from power and the Iraqi people have a democratically elected government that is broadly representative of Iraq's population, yet the government is not adequately advancing national reconciliation, providing basic security, or delivering essential services. The level of violence is high and growing. There is great suffering, and the daily lives of many Iraqis show little or no improvement. Pessimism is pervasive.

Oh boy. Seems CNN's Glenn Beck, well, how does that old saw go about not getting any lower...and he outdoes himself with this latest..um...what do you call such lunacy?

In addition to the incredible lack of preparation for the occupation, and the remarkably dubious motivations for invading at all, there's the question of how we are conducting this Iraq "war" or "occupation" or, if you believe the administration, "attempt to foment freedom-loving democracy by means of military action and political posturing."

Specifically, there's the question of private contractors in almost every arena in Iraq.

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