time to fly, burn the American flag

* someone's president speaks:

""Years from now when America looks out on a democratic Middle East, growing in freedom and prosperity, Americans will speak of the battles like Fallujah with the same awe and reverence that we now give to Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima" in World War II, Bush said."

does anyone believe that?

* via jeralyn:

"Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, who is expected to become chairman, confirmed Thursday that he is drafting a bill to undo portions of a recently passed law that prevent terrorism detainees from going to federal court to challenge the government's right to hold them indefinitely.

Leahy's goal is to "try and do something to reverse the damage," said his spokeswoman, Tracy Schmaler."

* whats blastin? one of my faves - CJ Bolland's The Prophet. Sweet.

* i was hoping that Bob Gates' appointment would entice emptywheel out of her hole... not that i want her distracted or anything - but some crumbs would be nice...

* Dr E wonders if it's time to actually fly the American flag. (a while back i suggested that the first things that the Dems should do when they triumphantly win something or other was to triumphantly repeal the flag burning legislation (did that ever pass?))

* Our friend Charlie Black pops up again in the NYT:

"It might seem like the new George W. Bush — or maybe the old one, returning to his Texas governor roots. But, Republicans say, it is really just the same President Bush — the first M.B.A. president, pragmatic enough to recognize, as he himself might say, that he must adjust his tactics to changing conditions on the ground.

“You’re seeing the George Bush who has always been adept at playing the hand he is dealt,” said Charlie Black, a Republican strategist with close ties to the White House.
[]
But there is motivation for Democrats — and Mr. Bush intends to exploit that if he can.

“Their whole theme has been the do-nothing Congress,” Mr. Black, the Republican strategist, said. “Now, if they get in there and make themselves vulnerable to that charge, it hurts them in ’08. He knows that they have an incentive to get things done, and he’s going to take advantage of that.”"