Talk of the Day
Today's political chatter is all about Bill Clinton's Big Book. The reviews are so far pretty predictable -- complaints mostly that the book is too long (who remembers the Emperor of Austria in Amadeus complaining that Mozart's brilliant work was very good except that it had "too many notes"). Some complain that it is not self-flagellating enough, or that it spends too much time on policy, or that it is rambling and unfocused.

Haven't read it myself. My guess is that none of this is true. First, it is likely neither too long nor too short -- just right. Secondly, it is probably just self-flagellating enough. Third, it probably spends just enough time on policy, and finally it is likely neither rambling nor unfocused.

I'm guessing that the book is in fact very good -- engaging, thoughtful, entertaining, etc. I'm still not sure why the mainstream press has such a hard time with this, other than it would reveal their 8 years of Clinton bashing as the unjustifiable smear that it largely was.

Meantime, Bush lies regularly and often (as did Reagan), and somehow his moral fitness to hold office isn't a question. (This proving it was about the sex). Even the President's own betrayal of voters (promising to clamp down on factory emissions or mercury levels, for example, or providing real prescription drug benefits to seniors) is not seen as far worse than President Clinton's betrayal of his marriage vows.

Down still remains up, but there is an undeniable, inexorable growth in the forces of goodness and light. Day by day, the cracks in the moribund facade of the Republican Right grow, and the day when it all comes tumbling down nears. Will it arrive in time for the election in November? Hard to say. No matter what, the tide has turned and the Day of the Progressives is on the way.

The question is, will that day come in time to avert the disaster that is growing in the Muslim world, which President Bush seems intent on precipitating? Let's hope so.

And let's hope that history proves out the greatness of President Kerry.

There. Now it's your turn.