A Return To an Age of Reason

Linking to the Center for American Progress, headed by John Podesta, because, with their help, Howard Dean and the DNC look as though they want to play some offense:

The Democratic meeting came at a time of growing confidence within the party that 2006 could bring significant gains in Congress and the statehouses because of Bush's low approval ratings and public anxiety about Iraq. But Dean said those conditions alone are not sufficient to produce Democratic victories. "We're doing the things that need to be done, but we have a long way to go," he said. "The collapse of confidence in the Republican leadership is not enough to elect Democratic leadership. We have to stand up for what we believe."

It is convenient being registered as an Independant, if for no other reason than it makes for easier criticisism of all sides: anemic left or misanthropic right. Some friends & friendly acquaintances, who lean to the right of center, assume my contempt for all things Bush means I must be a Democrat; such is the view of the reptile mind when limited to black & white. Having said that, it does a body good to see the Democratic party, their representatives in the Senate leadership notwithstanding, push back after years of getting pushed around.

And yet, I might have good things to say about Republicans too, having been one once (for a coupla years in my youth at the beginning of time) but only if they can kick the repugnant religious fanatics, and those with a greasy love for white-collar malfeasance, to the curb, as they must in order to avoid long-term marginalization.