I didn't think anybody read blogs or even knew what they were. Isn't this what the MSM has been telling us.

Since most people who hear about Bush's "plan"*** straight from the Horse's Ass aren't enthralled, I guess most of Merka is militant now.

***his plan appears to be to his predictable bait'n'switch: fear mongering combined with complaining that his critics have no "plan" so no one will notice he hasn't actually introduced a plan either -- just the usual goalposts on casters.

We well may be seeing the start of the end for internet access freedom. The louder the right screams about "unfair" weblogs, the closer we are to legislation aimed at squashing the only form of free press left in this country. I absolutely promise that before Bush leaves, there'll be some attempts to tax or otherwise impede the blogosphere. I bet Rove has a plan and right now the right-wing hacks are starting up the machine..

In short: Lets compromise more, that'll make our position stronger (?!?)

The interesting thing is that Brooks so completely elides the point that Democrats don't believe that the GOP's goal is "reform."

Fuck that bitch Brooks. I am no hothead!

Brooks is a goofy looking partisan hack who, quite frankly, isn't all that intelligent.

At least Safire wrote mildly interesting pieces and had new takes on things (albeit usually predictably in his positions).

Brooks is just so transparent and simple in his writing style that he undeftly tries to falsely imbue with a moderate outlook. He's a tool, he's not smart like his colleagues, and really I simply cannot understand how the guy worked his way up to the top. How could the NY Times hire such a dumbass?

Bloggers (except Josh Marshall) have had nothing to do with Bush failing to push his SS plan. That plan's dying on the merits in middle-America, not because you crazy lefties have suddenly awakened the consciousness of the nation. Brooks is a boob, but he's right that you're more interested in opposition than opportunities to lead and govern.

Reading that Steve Soto is writing off a number of prominent Dems 'forever' because of the bankruptcy bill was iron-clad proof of the left's immaturity and uselessness. You're an embarrassment to your own political goals.

I believe bloggers have had a lot to do with keeping the Democrats in line. Without them, Bush might be in a position now to claim victory. In addition, it's ironic that Brooks doesn't look across the page to Paul Krugman, whose columns have contributed just as much, if not more, to stopping the social security phase-out.

*Chuckle*

Well Wombat, we must be doing something write to get you so annoyed!

The militants, bloggers and polemicists have waged a relentless pressure campaign on any moderates who might even be thinking of offering constructive ideas.

Where are the moderates and where are the constructive ideas?

The neocons killed off their own moderates. Our "moderates" were simply echoing the admin, and echoing its priorities.

As for constructive ideas, I'm still waiting. Defeating gay marriage, this huge rallying cry, is destructive, not constructive. The wars? Destructive. Social Security? Destructive. UN? Destructive. Alliances? Destructive. Clear Skies (... cough, cough, love those "watch what I say and not what I do" titles)? Destructive. Sound science? Destructive. Hope for those less fortunate to realize their American Dream? They're smashing as fast as they can!

Enlightenment? Destroy this too! Bring it on!

I'm sorry to admit that I was one of those people who actually bought Brooks' stupid book, 'Bobos in Paradise'. Looking back, I've learned more from those darn 'bloggers' over the past 3 years than anything that bozos like Bobo have produced in the last 20 years.

Goodbye Bobo, don't let the door hit your butt on the way out.

Thanks for your insight Wombat.

Two words for Brooksie:

"suck it."

Simple question for people who buy into the trip that Brooks spews here: where are the moderate Republican voices on the environment, taxation, abortion, gay marriage, etc.? How marginalized are they within the party? How much pressure do they get to toe the party line? The conservatives have been demonstrating how effective extremism can be. Clearly Brooks wants to prevent the other side from following that blueprint.

Not that I am advocating extremism, mind you. But if Brooks has a problem with it he should worry about cleaning up his own house first.

By the way, why is it that we embargo Cuba but still think it's okay to have trade with Myanmar (Burma)?

By the way, why is it that we embargo Cuba but still think it's okay to have trade with Myanmar (Burma)?

I grew up in Miami, so I can tell you that the Cuban exile lobby is pretty damned potent. I don't know much about the Myanmaran exile lobby, but I'll bet they're lagging.

dammit, the country is called burma ("myanmar" is the junta's name for it)

Don't you just love some new troll coming out of who knows where, and telling us what horrible people we are. You people amaze me. I won't go to a right-wing blog and post anything, because I don't give a damn what they are saying. But, the right-wing just loves to invade our space and put in their .02 cents worth of unintelligent rantings. Go figure.

Judith,

Remember you can't post at many right-wing blogs, as they don't allow comments.

Fuck Bush, Fuck his plan for anything, the reason he can't put two words together when he speaks is because he has to remember the last lie he told and sometimes he gets a little confused about which lie he is talking about. As Nick Van Exall said fuck 'em all. And if you don't like the word fuck, fuck you too.
Burnie