MJ: If gas prices over $3.00 a gallon are George Bush's fault (an eeeevil Rovian plot, of course)...then what does gas under $2.50 a gallon mean?

What's that you say? It's the President reining in the greedy oil companies?

Uh no.

Some type of jamming device used between the White House command post and individual gs stations?

Sorry - (it does sound ridiculous, doesn't it?)

Ed at Captain's Quarters has a great post regarding *gasp* the economic forces that govern the price of commodoties. Yes Virginia, oil is a commodity responding to the law of supply and demand. How disappointing it can't be blamed on certain individuals in key White House positions.

MJ:  Watched most of the first part of the Path to 9/11 on ABC last night (I was playing hockey and missed the first hour). The part that I did see was very well done - and I found myself making some observations:

 
I thought seeing the Islamic terrorists/fundamentalists/fascists (take your pick) was chilling. The terrorist camps, the rugged landscape – even the Toyota trucks and SUVs…I thought it was gripping television. I particularly noticed a scene at one of the terrorist camps, which flashed by briefly. In the midst of this barbaric environment the camera passes by a table of computers. The contrast between the primitive environment and the sophistication required to use the Internet and a computer was rather stunning.

 The production values were excellent, and created a mood of serious contemplation. It was clear that the network spent serious money on a serious program – which was refreshing.

 Despite all of the controversy surrounding what was left in the program...and what was removed…it was a powerful indictment of government inaction. I didn’t see tonight’s program, so maybe the Bush administration came in for the same type or amount of criticism – which wouldn’t bother me.

As to the charge that the Clintonistas screamed and moaned to get the attention of the Bush administration as to the seriousness of terrorism - uh, yea. I guess that was part of all those "welcome" parties they threw for the Bushies.

For another thing - the government of the United States is one big, hulking monster. To imply that a new department secretary or undersecretary could grap hold of a department of tens of thousands of people,  crack the whip and get all the people running in the same direction (think: the chariot scene in Ben Hur) in days or weeks...well, you clearly haven't been part of any organization larger than a coffee shop (and just think how tough it is to change lemon bar providers in that outfit, eh?).

It would have taken months to figure out where the spare pens were stored, much less totally refocus all of the department's employees on this specific issue.

Quite frankly, with the exception of selected government, military and intelligence members (as profiled in the program last night)…NOBODY CARED! Threats were always overseas –happening to people not like us – in places we don’t know (or care) much about – not here in the United States. I remember my husband calling me 5 years ago with news of what happened. Like so many others, my first thought was ‘small plane’. But, once I turned on the TV and saw both towers burning – no way. It was immediately obvious that we had been attacked. My first thought was “OK, here we go. Wonder if we’re ready?”

 I can see how many in the Clinton administration would be upset at the portrayal – it does not paint them in a very good light. However, I think it’s also realistic they were concerned with reactions on Capitol Hill. 20/20 hindsight is always a gift. Congressional members on both sides of the aisle waste no time in strutting for the microphone or camera when the mood strikes.

 The best line of the movie was of course “are there no men in Washington? Or are they all cowards?” It’s clear what the answer was during the Clinton administration. Leadership often means taking unpopular or difficult positions – which they were consistently unable to do. And Capitol Hill bears part of the blame.

 However, it isn’t fair to blame all of this on the Clinton administration. When Reagan cut and ran from Lebanon after the bombing of the marine barracks – notice was carefully taken. No administration fully grasped the nature of the threat - perhaps because we as citizens lacked the ability to grapple with what we were facing. Those administrations simply reflected what we ourselves failed to grasp.

 With so many others, I am thankful that it is George Bush at the helm of our country during this difficult time. Whatever mistakes have been made, at least they are taking the ball and running down the field. Movement and action, versus uncertainty and fear, is the way to go against these terrorists. God bless our president and the people who work with him.

MJ:  Here's a good dinner table conversation starter -

For those people who were not opposed to going into Iraq - why are you now so frustrated that our soldiers have been there for more than 6 months? Why does it bother you that it's been 4 years? Do you have some mental timetable that's been exceeded, and if so...where did that timetable come from?

Why do you think it's supposed to be "easy" or "complete" by now?