Only a cynic would think that. However, when it comes to looking at this administration, being cynical and facing reality are the same thing.

I didn't used to be a cynic.

And the day they get five Justices to say they're right, everything you thought you knew about checks and balances becomes wrong.

This is scary. Because every time since Bush got "elected" that I've thought, oh, that couldn't happen! it has. I have little faith anymore.

eta Oh, and now Hec jumps in with good news.

Also, the Dems are firing right back with subpeonas to be issued tomorrow for Rove and Miers.

Really? I read they were gonna vote on this on Thursday.

The Supreme Court has been explicitly clear that only issues of National Security and related secrets are protected - none of which apply here even under the broadest interpretation.

Hec, your America-hating is such a danger to National Security....

Besides, they could do another of their 5-4 rulings that goes counter to everything else and then they again say that the ruling is not to be construed as precedent. (Eta: Which is sorta' an admission that it's bullshit.)

I've moved from die-hard cynic and pessimist to eternal hopist. Because I'd be crushed under my realistic expectations otherwise. Disillusioned a fuckload, but better than my worst ideas being constantly validated and me sinking into the depths.

That makes sense to me. It's a way of clinging to hope when you are not real close with it.

Yeah, it's a game. It's a fucking stupid game, but keeps me from giving up my outrage. I still need my outrage.

I've moved from die-hard cynic and pessimist to eternal hopist. Because I'd be crushed under my realistic expectations otherwise.

I've actually been a lot more hopeful since the midterm elections. But in the "unitary executive" issue, Bush intends to raise the stakes to an ungodly high level, and that makes me nervous. Especially considering how wussy the Democrats have been.

SHUT UP.

You are encouraging my natural state.

cycles. human nature. cycles. strangles natural state.

lalala politics

I have 5 ebay auctiosn ending tonight and am obsessively hitting refresh.

I have been reassured that mac will be promoted to first grade. Not that I was worried, but still good to hear. He got in BIG trouble today and has lost all play and tv time after I pick him up for the rest of the week.

Encouraging news: Senate voted 94-2 to strip Justice Dept. of Patriot Act right to appoint prosecutors without Senate approval citing the recent abuse.

This is also encouraging:

"We are conservative scholars, activists and writers. We do not favor a crippled executive or enfeebled government. In a time of danger, checks and balances make for stronger government because the people will more readily accept a muscular authority if barriers against abuses are strong. If at some future time Congress, in turn, aggrandizes power and invades the executive or judicial domains, we will be equally alert to sound the alarm. But today, the clear and present danger to conservative philosophy is the White House."

OK, this... is just funny:

“In DOJ documents that were publicly posted by the House Judiciary Committee, there is a gap from mid-November to early December in e-mails and other memos, which was a critical period as the White House and Justice Department reviewed, then approved, which U.S. attorneys would be fired while also developing a political and communications strategy for countering any fallout from the firings.”

So they release all the documents and emails, but there's a mysterious gap.... Let's see - in what administration did such a gap become famous? What was it, 18 minutes?

[link]

Late to the conversation, but what the hell... Demerol is my favorite drug, though I've only had it once. That was some carefree-making, time-altering shit right there.

I came out of general anesthesia perfectly calm, and I swear I remember everything from waking up in the OR, to being in recovery and getting a morphine drip, to going to my room where my family was and seeing how often I could get the machine to beep and give me more drugs. No nausea, thank god. The weirdest part about being completely under was that from the time I went under to when I woke up four or so hours later, it felt like only a few seconds. No sense of time having passed like when I sleep. So bizarre.

I heart Percocet, too, which was my take-home drug after surgery and for leg pain during chemo. It just sort of gives me a really pleasant buzz while it makes the pain recede. It does make me itchy, though. Not that I care.

I had Vicodin for dental pain, and it didn't do squat, but that pain was the worst pain I've ever had in my life, so I'm not sure it was really Vicodin's fault.

In conclusion: Drugs, yay!

This is also encouraging:

It is. Plus the timing is interesting too....