Random Thoughts

1. When Bill Clinton had consensual sex with a White House intern, Republicans and the whole right wing machine tried to impeach him.

Now, faced with their own sex scandal, in which Rep. Foley solicited congressional pages--possibly criminally--Republicans are ducking for cover and blaming each other. To us here at the Curmudgeon it's pretty obvious that Hastert should resign.

Of course Hastert "didn't know". That's why you conduct an investigation. If reporters could uncover the facts, surely a decent investigator for one of the Hill's committees could've done likewise.

2. As long as George Allen flatly denies using the N-word he is fair game for journalists to come up with more friends and acquaintances who confirm that he did, indeed, use it, and frequently.

3. We agree the Virginia Senate campaign should focus on issues. Iraq is one, but there are plenty more. Stem cells--Allen opposes research because it will help him in the '08 GOP Presidential primaries. Crass. What about energy? Allen would favor large oil producers and putting a pittance into alternative energy. Get real. What about the environment? Global warming is a fact. It may be too late, but we need to try. Allen's plan? Nothing.

On the BIG issues, Allen is wrong. He tries to paper that over with support for little initiatives over which there's little dispute. Like making it easier to prosecute internet predators. That's nice. What prosecutors really need is more resources, however, and in any event there's no real dispute about the need to curtail internet predation (including by Congressmen).

4. Iraq. A large majority of Iraqis believe Iraq would be safer if the U.S. withdrew. What up with that?

5. Webb and women. One of the Naval Academy grads who criticized Webb in a news conference with Allen has since talked to Webb and decided to endorse him. Webb has apologized. He was wrong. He did promote women, actively, when Secretary of the Navy. Is this Allen's idea of a discussion of issues? [Note: Webb is not running any ads on macaca, N-word use or anything else; Allen is running ads on "how dare you use an unaltered clip of Ronald Reagan" and "horny women". Wow, that's real positive and issue oriented.]

6. Traffic congestion in Northern Virginia. Need to send Republicans in the state legislature a message: you're next.