If the Constitution falls in the forest and there's no on there to hear it . . .

• As I mentioned yesterday, Bush named a new acting Attorney General so repugnant that he hopes Democrats will back down on their demands for DoJ emails relating to Alberto Gonzalez' numerous debacles before agreeing to confirm Mukasey. Apparently, it is working. I don't know if it's Bush, but someone at the White House knows how to play the game pretty well.

• Some people suggest that health insurance for all will not improve public health, but instead suggest that a federal "No, biscuits and gravy are NOT part of a nutritious breakfast, now put out that cigarette and get your ass to the gym, fatty" program would yield better results.

• HOW DO THESE PEOPLE SLEEP AT NIGHT? HAVE THEY EVEN READ THE CONSTITUTION? WHAT THE HELL? Just when I think I can't have less respect for Joe Lieberman, he goes and pull something like this.

• In other news, not only does Congress hate your rights, they're not big fans of your troops either.

• What do you do when your two most prominent branches of government are averaging a 20% approval rating? If you look at the news items I've mentioned today, and those numbers, and detach yourself from your preconceived notions about America, it would appear as if we live in a fascist military oligarchy. It's a good thing I have all of those preconceived notions to keep me optimistic.

• When I was reading this, it occurred to me: Rudy Giuliani is like Dick Cheney, but without the demented genius. He's just demented.

• Next year, the party conventions may actually be relevant.

• John Bolton can't figure out why we haven't toppled the Iranian government and secretly set up a puppet regime in its place. It worked great the first time, why shouldn't it again?