Robert C. Gates seems to regurgitating GOP talking points. He polished it up with a slam of the network news anchors, but otherwise this sounds like an application essay for an internship at the RNC. The real questions Robert should be asking are this: Why did Bush wait this long to change the civil service rules for these departments? Why were they not changed by executive order before? Additionally, what civil service rules apply for the FBI and the CIA? Can Bush Fire a bad Agent at will? I am sure it takes a few hearings to fire an FBI agent, but Bush thinks a Border Patrol Officer is more of a concern? I wonder why those questions are not addressed. I am laughing. I don't really wonder. I just like to think I wonder, because I will pull my hair out in rage if I don't hope that Administration is really trying to reform the FBI and CIA. I will not be holding my breath, nor stilling on any billboards until they do.

Brian James Kloetzel a contributor to the Miami Review is off on a couple of points in his latest column. One is his contention that the GOP will pick up seats in the House and Senate. I do not think any polling numbers support this contention. I think a good race-by-race analysis indicates the Dems will pick up a couple seats in the House, but not gain control, and the Senate will not change its balance. The other point is that I am most certainly not better off than I was 2 years ago. My 401(k) is in the shitter, 3,000 innocent people are dead thanks to foreign borne theocratic fascism, domestic theocratic fascism is on the rise in this country, my pay raises have been negligible in the last two years, and government secrecy has ballooned to an art form. My life is not unique either, so I would say we are on the "wrong track."

Colerain Football Player's Suspension Contested
The Judge made the right decision. The parents of this kid are over-reacting. The kid was charged with a crime. Schools can suspend him for behavior problems at any point. There is no review board he can appeal to for a school suspension. He must face the consequences of his actions. His parents have of course filed a $100,000 lawsuit against the school district. Opportunism at its worse. The kid's father is a Cincinnati Police officer. I am sure that this case got the attention it is getting and will get more because of the race of the kid. These parents have the earmarks of "not my child" syndrome. This "affliction" occurs on parents who are in denial of the actions of their children. They cannot and will not admit that their child could have done what he is accused of. Too many parents fear the bad appearances of their children over the behavior of their children.

Chris Anderson at Queen City Soapbox has some very interesting thoughts on the Hagen-Livingston incident, and insightful comments on Kathy Wilson's City Beat Column.

BRONSON: They're sorry
Ok, Is Peter off his medication? How much can one right-winger rant? I do not think it is possible for Peter Bronson to rant about anything and not mention Bill Clinton. Bronson needs Bill more than water. This column was really all over the place. It was a catalog of Peter's shit list. I wonder if Peter will be voting for Bob Taft. Bronson fits into the profile of a fanatical morals voter, and the Lt. Gov. nominee running with Taft does not appear to fit his religiosity. A tough choice for the Bronson’s in this State.

Chabot urges Senate to vote on `partial-birth' abortion bill
I guess he still feels the need to shore up his base. I thought he was a lock for reelection. It is nice to see the Post can read a press release.

Hagan lectures boycott leader
I think Mr. Hagen has lived out a dream that most of the people in the Cincinnati Area have had. Hagan has my vote for taking a stand. I wonder if he will make any gains in what should be Taft country. I must applaud the Enquirer for this story. It is a very positive story for Hagen, and it was reported fairly. Taft supporters would have a tough time disagreeing with a thing it reported. I think I will have to read this story more than once. It is like watching a game winning home run in the bottom of the ninth. Hagen has helped all local democrats with this stance. The GOP can't hang the boycott on the party as a whole, like the Kentucky GOP is trying to hang Gov. Patton's scandal on the whole Kentucky Democratic party. The ranks in the boycott took a hit with this; I will listen to their talk radio reactions. I envision a big anti-democrat stance from the CJC from now on.