No comment (no, not literally asshole)

I watched the Bush speech tonight (how could anyone look in his eyes and believe he should lead us?), and then watched about an hour of talking heads, senators, representatives, responses, military analysis, and then about 30 minutes of a C-Span Senate hearing about troop withdrawal. (two analyses struck me: 1) CIA specialist's comparison of the current situation to the Lebanese Civil War, which lasted 14 years. 2) The comparison of the current Jihad in Iraq to the Afghani invasion by the USSR, namely the lingering effects of training/experience with explosives and arms, and the potential dangers arising from this "networking" opportunity. )

Anyway...Apart from just the pure inability for me to comprehend what could possibly be done at this point...I was distinctively irritated by all of the Democrats I heard speak today (Webb, Boxer). It appears now, unsurprisingly, that I just hate politicians.

It may be because I have developed some sort of awe-filled hero-worship and idolatry of several of the Founding Fathers over the past 2 weeks, having dug into their lives, thinking, actions, triumphs, convictions, strength, and everything else...but it could also be just because modern politicians truly are douchebags. Where is greatness lurking these days? Where are the giants among us?

Anyway...I decided to copy and past an email a reader to Andrew Sullivan. Just because I'm not sure I even know people who could describe their experience as being much different than this:

I am one of the Americans most untouched by the war going on. I have no friends or family in the military, and to extend that even further, none of my friends have any friends or family in the military. I live in a nice secure bubble, where I get to enjoy a lifestyle amongst the highest in human history. I received a tax reduction so I get to enjoy the fruits of my labors more than I might have otherwise. The war affects me not at all. I recognize the mistakes made, and consider our entire exercise in the middle east to be futile at best, harmful to our country at worst.

Yet, I remain ambivalent. I decided, as long as nothing is asked of me, I will continue to turn my head from the events. The moment a sacrifice is asked of me, I will turn actively against it. Not to put too fine a point on it, but I mean any sacrifice. A dime in taxes to pay for rebuilding an army Bush has misused would be too much.