It appears that Cheney was offended by the Amnesty report on Guantanamo Bay. To me, the most important quote is: "For Amnesty International to suggest that somehow the United States is a violator of human rights, I frankly just don't take them seriously."

That's just it. He, and the administration he runs, just doesn't take this seriously. I'm not sure why. I have no doubt that some of the former prisoners are liars. And some are undoubtedly terrorists. But the administration just can't seem to admit the possibility that there has been abuse, and that abuse is torture. But how many stories do we need?

I just can't believe that every single one of these former prisoners is lying. I wish I believed it, for America's sake. But there are too many stories to disbelieve them. I don't share the administration's blind faith that we would never torture. It's not impossible. Do they ever ask themselves "What if we're wrong?"? I don't know.

Is President Bush actually Woodrow Wilson? For some reason I've been reading a bunch of books about the time between 1910 and 1920, and I think the comparison is apt.

Both are utterly convinced that God is on their side, believers that America is somehow unique in the world and that it is America's role to lead the world into a new tomorrow.

Wilson's proudest creation, the League of Nations, failed. I suppose the analogy with Bush would be his war in Iraq. I'm betting it's going to fail too. It's sure not going well so far. Another helicopter shot down today.... Ugh.

It seems to me that the Senate could really end this whole filibuster debate quickly. Especially for W's judges who don't generate ideological debate. There are a couple from Michigan who've been nominated to the 6th Circuit and, from what I read, they're only opposed because NONE of Clinton's nominees from Michigan to the 6th Circuit were ever brought to a vote. (Some of them languishing for years.)

So why not nominate one of each? One of W's, and have him nominate one of Clinton's. Done.

By the way, the Republicans aren't really going to be as small minded as to eliminate filibusters, are they? Are they so daft as to think they're going to always have the President?

Been travelling a lot for work. I was at a tradeshow in Pittsburgh (it's what I do and yes, it's boring) a couple of weeks ago. In a big convention hall, one room was called, apparently without irony:

The Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom