Considering the grim figure just reached in Iraq, the title for this post was poorly chosen. The hubris that marked Bush's challenge to the jihadists of the world is the same character flaw that lead to the nomination of the unqualified Miers.

PS-I generally enjoy the blog! Thanks for all the hard work... if you ever find yourself in South Bend, I'll buy any of the Agorites a beer in gratitude for lots of insightful reading.

Considering the grim figure just reached in Iraq, the title for this post was poorly chosen.

Umm... OK. For what it's worth, I was thinking more along the lines of Han Solo's declaration: "Bring 'em on, I'd prefer a straight fight to all this sneaking around!"

Peter, talk about Jekyll and Hyde posts!!!

The Miers withdrawal is a nice way to cap the last few days. Bush seems to be having an OK week so far. Bernancke is smart and appears to be popular on Wall Street, which is what really matters. It looks like the Plame investigation is just going to flame out rather than explode (but we are still waiting). 2,000 is a scary number, but visible progress has occurred with the constitution. Not bad for the ole Texas Punching Bag. Now he gets to right this ship and give Americans a S.Ct. nominee about whom we can feel good! I still like Luttig and Wilkinson, for the record.

Eric, glad you were going with a Star Wars reference. My SW-quote antenna were damaged badly by a horrible annoying Gungan.

Adam, I realized that the original post may be too harsh and trollish, so I just decided to add a "thanks for the hard work" post too. Hence Jekyll and Hyde.

Regarding the Iraq casualties, it's a vexed issue. Compared to many previous wars, the number of deaths is low. But that is of little consolation to the families who have lost husbands and fathers and sons and it won't be much consolation. In the end, it depends if a worthy outcome is achieved, something still very much in the balance. You see signs for hope, democracy, stability. I see a low grade civil war where the lines are hardening. Time will tell which dynamic is the stronger.

Peter
"You see signs for hope, democracy, stability. I see a low grade civil war where the lines are hardening."
It's the Kurds who make it interesting and harder to predict. I don't know if they can muster enough force to be a player. If you're calling what's going on now a low grade civil war, I don't think it can stay that way for long after our troops are gone.