Murder most foul

For Brad in Alabama: Your darling President himself has now admitted responsibility for the disaster in New Orleans (not that he means it) so please continue to argue that it was only local and state officials that messed up so tragically. What would Bush have to do to wake you up to reality?

Well, the state of Texas went through with their murder of Frances Newton. I don't really know if she was guilty of murdering her husband and children or not. I do know that the lawyer who represented her did not call a single witness to defend her, was so incompetent he has subsequently been disbarred, there were two guns instead of one, a fact that was never investigated, and apparently a number of other serious questions as well having to do with the insurance and whatever. But never mind, Texas loves putting people to death, and does not spend much time actually trying to find out the truth of what happened. Bush, the all time executioner, even went so far as to mock one poor woman who was pleading for her life. Ah, Texas, a great place to live (as long as you are filthy rich and not poor or black).

Let's face it: John Roberts is smarter than all of our Senators put together. He faced days of questioning without batting an eye and also without revealing a single thing about his personal beliefs with respect to abortion, civil rights, privacy, and so on. There is no doubt that he is a brilliant lawyer, no doubt that he is personable, no doubt that he is fully qualified to serve on the highest court. But is he an ultra-right conservative in sheep's clothing? I think quite likely. He will apparently be confirmed because Democrats can't really do anything about it and also alibi their way out by saying it's only the next appointment that really matters. Watch them fold on that one also.

Karl Rove is in charge of cleaning up the mess in New Orleans (the PR mess, that is) so rest assured everything is in good hands (as long as he stays out of jail).