A child might ask: "Just because the president wants to keep on killing people, do we have to help him?" The Democrats, at least, should search their desiccated souls for an answer.

You're right that it's like Lucy and Charlie Brown, every year at about this time, except that Lucy at least respects her victim enough to plead and lie, promising that she won't move the football. George doesn't plead, although he lies with the ease and ineptness of a 5-year-old. He doesn't trick Congress into giving him what he wants. He simply insists, and Congress finds a way to acquiesce.

I try to imagine what it must feel like to be in Iraq, wanting the killing to end before it catches up with me. It is simply amazing that neither the president nor Congress can address this essential issue. In the midst of yet another election campaign, is the United States really as empty and bankrupt as it sounds?

That if they sit very still, breathe quietly, and try not to make eye contact, they are going to win a landslide in 2008 without ever having to do the hard work of ending the war, bringing back habeas corpus, impeaching the criminals in the White House, restoring constitutional checks and balances, ending warrantless spying on Americans, etc. The Republicans seem intent on exploding with no outside help at all, and in that environment the Dems have bravely decided that the best bet is to keep their heads down and avoid shrapnel. They can do all that hard stuff after the election, or maybe after the 2010 midterms, or maybe during Hilbama's second Presidential term. Real soon, though.

Keep reading, in Texas.

We. Are. Going. To. Die. We must restore hope in the world. We must bring forth a new way of living that can sustain the world. Or else it is not just us who will die but everyone. What have we got to lose? Go forth and Fight!-- Xan

writing something longer and posting it here. that was most excellent.

...that if they sit very still, breathe quietly, and try not to make eye contact, they are going to win a landslide in 2008 without ever having to do the hard work of ending the war...

Yah, they think that. But let me introduce you to Al Gore and John Kerry. In a candid moment, perhaps.

If the democrats don't raise hell, they'll end up there. Cheneyburton thinks nothing of stealing an election with the support of only 20% of the voters, as long as they're the 20% with the guns. 2008 will be no different than 2000 or 2004 if we listen to our leaders.

No Hell below us
Above us, only sky

activist type with some experience in campaigns. the word is "apathy." people are pissed, but not motivated, for a lot of reasons. i think the dems make a huge mistake believing great numbers will show up to vote in support of their inaction in 08. esp if the candidates promise more, better endless war instead of a clear end.

They, at least, as a calss, want the very reverse of "big numbers."

Pissed but not motivated is a great description.

We. Are. Going. To. Die. We must restore hope in the world. We must bring forth a new way of living that can sustain the world. Or else it is not just us who will die but everyone. What have we got to lose? Go forth and Fight!—Xan

We must always fight against decades of GOP brainwashing and remember that the Democrats are not a bunch of hippie peaceniks. It's not just cowardice or timidity, although those are there as well; they genuinely do not want to end the war in Iraq. With a few notible exceptions, they believe in the Imperial Vision just as much as the GOP.