Hmmm... A few items tonight, which I will briefly comment on.

I heard on NPR today that some dude claiming to be the mayor of Baghdad was arrested by U.S. forces today. Apparently, as they reported it, he held his "office" in a coffee shop. The guy wanders in, proclaims himself to be the mayor, says he's going to raise the wages of all workers in the city, and people believe him! Not only that, but they clamor to be hired for the promised jobs in his brave new government!

For some reason, this story had me ROTFL in my car. Maybe it was the way it was told on the radio. I got to thinking... Maybe after I finish my shift at the grocery store, I should wander across the parking lot to Starbucks, and announce that I am now the official governer of Colorado! I could tell them about all the wonderful jobs I'm going to give them, and the reforms that are already being instituted, and how we're going to turn the economy around. What a great idea!

On a slightly more serious note... This is actually last week's news, but I'll comment anyway. Anybody who still truly thinks that the republican party is, in any way, about "smaller government" or greater freedom for the individual, check out the Rick Santorum story. (Or for those not wanting to subscribe or click through salon ads, another link.)

Senator Santorum, when asked about his opinion on a Texas anti-sodomy law scheduled for a hearing in the Supreme Court, not only agreed with the law, but went on to insult gays by equating their consesual behavior with incest, polygamy, and "man on dog" sex.

What is of primary concern is not the senator's statements alone. So he's a bigoted, hate-spouting loon. Big deal. So are many other people, unfortately. (Ok, so it is a big deal, if we're talking about a U.S. senator, who would hopefully be a little more enlightened than the Jerry Springer contingent. But reality is what it is.) What concerns me most is the way the majority of his republican colleagues, along with the White House, have given what amounts to a tacit endorsement of these scandalous remarks, rather than a stern and public rebuke.

"An inclusive man" indeed. (The segment of the white house transcript quoted in the salon article is perhaps one of the most outrageous examples of political doublespeak I've seen in a long time. It makes Clinton look like a straight-talking honest man in comparison.)

So the White House supports this nutcase, who believes it's a Good Idea that adults be lawfully arrested for behavior carried out in the privacy of their own bedroom. Why am I not surprised?

When November of 2004 comes, let's not forget this. (In case there weren't plentiful reasons to kick the bastards out already.)

Now, as the duly self-appointed governer of Colorado, I shall retire for the night. Peace.