I've wondered for days now why so many Republicans jumped on Hastert at the start of the Foley mess.  Now I think I'm beginning to get it.

Attachment to the good habits and institutions of one's country and a modest pride in the genuine achievements of one's co-nationals is a commendable attitude, capable of forging ties and cementing community feeling. But patriotism has a strong tendency to go beyond this. The slogan, "My country, right or wrong" is palpably absurd, but the more seductive, though equally foolish, idea is that my country can actually do no wrong, or, at any rate, no serious wrong. The emotions of patriotism all too often blind us to the moral crimes and follies that "we" have committed and can again commit. When this is combined with the political advantages of populism, the mixture can be lethal. It is not only scoundrels who misuse patriotism; the foolish and opportunistic also do it.

I have to hand it to future House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: She and me think way too much alike...

I had the misfortune to watch Blitzer's ludicrous The Situation Room on CNN the other night, when he "interviewed" James Webb, the Democratic candidate trying to unseat George Allen from Virginia's senate seat.

Never let it be said that reality stood in the way of George W. Bush....

It's funny how a lot of gay male politicians in Washington came with male dates to these events during the Clinton years, but then showed up with females under Bush.

Karl, where is my October Surprise?! What, another big, bad and embarrassing little gaff?........

Leave it to old El Oxycondo to add his bizarre spin to Foleygate......

In case you missed it....

Rumsfeld has a unique way of using uncertainty--real or feigned, I'll never know--to avoid discussing important questions.  For example, check these excerpts from a July, 2006 Woodward-Rumsfeld interview, which the Dept. of Defense saw fit to post on its web site a few days ago.

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