Stuff Gore said:

Well, the report this morning is actually one of several studies. There's one in the Pentagon. There has reportedly been one in the White House itself is (garbled) up. They're all basically saying the same thing, Matt–this is an utter disaster. This was the worst strategic mistake in the entire history of the United States and now we as a nation have to find a way, in George Mitchell’s words—"to manage a disaster." but—I would urge the president not to try to separate out the personal issues of being blamed in history for this mistake and instead recognize it’s not about him. It’s about our country and we all have to find a way to get our troops home and to prevent a regional conflagration there.

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It's kinda' funny/sad that Gore has to tell Bush "it's not about him." OK, more sad than funny.

I've actually begun to feel a little sorry for Prez George. He has no clue about how history is going to consider him, and I doubt his father is going to be weeping in pride before any cameras for him. On a purely personal level, I don't like seeing anyone looking at that much disappointment and hurt.

Then I worry that he will get a clue on how he's going to be regarded, and he's going to go off on a catastrophic tear of "I'll show them!" Pouters shouldn't be president.

I've actually begun to feel a little sorry for Prez George. He has no clue about how history is going to consider him, and I doubt his father is going to be weeping in pride before any cameras for him. On a purely personal level, I don't like seeing anyone looking at that much disappointment and hurt.

I don't.

OK, I see what you're saying. But IMHO Bush is a mean, arrogant, close-minded fuck... which causes me to lose sympathy for him....

But IMHO Bush is a mean, arrogant, close-minded fuck... which causes me to lose sympathy for him....

All very true. But sometimes I manage to impress myself with my fellowfeeling for twits.

I've actually begun to feel a little sorry for Prez George. He has no clue about how history is going to consider him,

I can't. He's responsible for too many of his problems.

I have no sympathy. None. He created this tragic clusterfuck, and killed and otherwise destroyed an enormous number of people doing it. I'm a little more concerned with their hurt than his just desserts. Not that he'll ever get those.

Then I worry that he will get a clue on how he's going to be regarded, and he's going to go off on a catastrophic tear of "I'll show them!" Pouters shouldn't be president.

You don't see this happening already? Especially recently, I think that's exactly what's driving him.

Restaurant cooking being what it is, it certainly could be very high in fat, but it doesn't have to be.

This pad thai is very fresh and tender, not overly oily, with big chunks of tofu and veg. So I'm going to pretend it's good for me. Especially as I only ate a third of it and packed the rest in with my original lunch.

He's responsible for too many of his problems.

Strictly speaking, yes, but I see many of his crimes as being primarily caused by utter cluelessness than maliciousness. Not all of them, mind you. There's maliciousness there. But just enough cluelessness that he has no idea just how big that cluestick really is.

Speaking of people I can't feel an ounce of sympathy for:

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The hell?

I'd have more sympathy for someone who's clueless but is aware of it and goes to others for help. Bush is notorious for making decisions early on for vague or ill-conceived reasons and then stubbornly sticking to them regardless of the results.