Perhaps these gripes apply only to the extreme elements on both sides but shit flows downhill. The Mainstream is being sullied, getting reduced to using the same tactics to effect changes.

I blame most of this on the dumbing down of America, on solving problems not by intellect but by shows of force, snappy sound bites, and short-term rewards. We no longer debate issues but seek to provide the wicked putdown, the verbal bitchslap, the huff of unbelief that there even should be a debate when *MY* viewpoint is so obviously correct.

When I started blogging two years in response to the impending invasion of Iraq, I mentioned that the invasion was a demonstration of the principles of "Might is Right" and "The Ends justify the Means". Today, with the Bush Administration firmly in power, we see these principles demonstrated almost daily. In Iraq, we have had the daily death toll, Abu Ghraib, dubious dollar transactions, and so on...but Iraq had elections so it's all acceptable. All the lying and distortions from our Government should immediately be discounted because - by God! - Iraq is almost a Democracy.

I fear our world is quickly devolving back in to a Dark Age of superstition. Instead of fighting demons with swords, we'll use nuclear bombs. It will be battle between their God and our God with God left out, watching from the sidelines with either a look of disgust or amusement. You never can tell.