So while Americans despise their Congress even more than their President, the Iraqi government has come to an agreement about sharing oil revenues.

They've also teed up elections in Sunni provinces that boycotted the first round and have felt left out of the process.

By the way, this also apparently frees many Sunnis from jail and sets the country on the final major highway to stable statehood.

We'd better get out fast or we're going to leave behind an unbelievable success. A free Democracy in the most strategic place in the Middle East next to Iran.

Is it possible the Iranians will notice? And do you think it's any coincidence the President has fought for and recieved UN sanctions against Iran. That he's fought for and received powers of surveillance over terrorists from the Senate?

He knows what he's doing. And it is to his credit only. He might just have had the vision that no one else had.  How will those who scorn the war and the President's steadfastness address this?  What is their plan to fight terror?  It's hard to fight when you're running away.

This will be a very interesting summer.

sharp

As are the Democrats.

We need to be able to interrogate intensely, but would we want our soldiers subjected to this method of torture?  Surely not.

I know it doesn't mean our soldiers won't be subjected to any and every kind of torture, but America is judged by her own behavior, not against the behavior of evil men.

Waterboarding should be banned.  The President should sign the bill that the Senate passed.

sharp

Keeping watch on the numbers.

Obama is beginning to provide detail on what he would do if elected.   His outstanding stump speeches continue to impress from an emotional point of view.  It isn't unlike Ronald Reagan in 1980, but details have been scant to date.

Yesterday he discussed the first $210 billion.  That would be spent to create jobs.  It should be noted that he was in Michigan when  he made the speech, in the midst of GM's $38 billion loss being reported.

But the question that comes to my mind is this.  If we spend $210 billion to create jobs without at least securing the border, aren't we creating jobs that will go to those sneaking across the border?  Won't that money then be sent to Mexico and be lost from America's economy?

Isn't the unemployment rate at 4.9%?  There are help-wanted signs everywhere.  And we just passed a stimulus bill that should pump a little more adrenaline into this terrific job-creating economy?

This is going to require some intense tax increases.  And this is just the first plan.

sharp

A Singapore retailer was promoting makeup by using the image of Jesus. There were shots of Jesus in a white robe with a gorgeous blonde on his arm staring adoringly into his eyes.

Catholics complained.  Ok.

The store pulled the merchandise and apologized.  Ok.

A bruised reputation built on bad judgment is all that remains.

But what if it had been Muhammed?

sharp

This is really getting interesting. First, conservatives do not like McCain, but they truly can't stand Hillary. I have to think that if Hillary wins the nomination she may lose the general election (big maybe) based on the fact that you can vote early now.

This is the theory.  You can't win without motivating your base, right?  Even if your base doesn't like the other person, if they aren't excited about voting for you, they might just stay home.  But since you can vote much more conveniently now - whenever you like, without waiting in a line - those who are most prone to vote will vote.  Period. 

But she might just win anyway.  And Obama might beat her in the primaries.  The question for both of them will be this - just what are you willing to do to win?  Are you willing to crush the other side?  It could come down to a few states at the end or even a battle for Superdelegates.  If so, one piece of news could bring home the prize.  How far are they both willing to go?

Now for the slimy journalist.  Carl Bernstein or Watergate fame has apparently just finished a book giving private details about the Clintons pre-White House years.  At least there's one fact about a potential divorce and an extra-marital relationship. 

At what point do we decide these folks who make money by ripping open people's private lives are scum?  When do we stop buying their books and reading their magazines?  I'm no fan of Hillary, but that is patently wrong and sickening.

Jouralism didn't need another black eye.  But it just got one.

sharp