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The National Smirk-off seems a sure thing to pass now that Gore has jumped behind Democratic front runner Howard Dean. I’m not sure I can bear watching Bush and Dean alternately smirk at me during every commercial break for the next year. I guess maybe I’ll have to watch less TV – or just get up and get a beer more often. I’m thinking that maybe Rev. Al should switch to an independent and run on the no-smirk platform.


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The administration took a swat at France, Germany, and Russia today by barring them from bidding on $18.6 billion in Iraqi reconstruction contracts. I guess I should just be grateful the contracts were not automatically awarded to Haliburton. Nonetheless, while I think the wrist slap is amusing and certainly appropriate, I’m also wondering why anyone outside the U.S. gets to bid. After all, this is $18.6 billion of OUR tax dollars. It’s bad enough we are paying to rebuild the place. Why should we pump that money into yet another country as oppossed to our own economy? What’s wrong with reinvesting it here?


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You’d think he’d hurt himself talking out both sides of his mouth like that, but he’s unfortunately just fine.

Bush took a break for his busy schedule spouting rhetoric about how democracy is just what is needed in the Middle East, to issue a stern warning to Taiwan against voting for a referendum calling for its independence from communist China. I guess democracy isn’t just what they need. Perhaps we could invade Taiwan first. Then I’ll bet they’d need democracy.