This and That

ECLECTICISM

The Bushies are once again moving the goal posts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Tell me again: Why is this endeavor worth over 3,000 American lives?

[A]dministration officials say they are focusing their immediate efforts on several more limited but achievable goals in the hope of convincing Iraqis, foreign governments and Americans that progress is being made toward the political breakthroughs that the military campaign of the past 10 months was supposed to promote.

The short-term American targets include passage of a $48 billion Iraqi budget, something the Iraqis say they are on their way to doing anyway; renewing the United Nations mandate that authorizes an American presence in the country, which the Iraqis have done repeatedly before; and passing legislation to allow thousands of Baath Party members from Saddam Hussein’s era to rejoin the government. A senior Bush administration official described that goal as largely symbolic since rehirings have been quietly taking place already.

By the way, has anyone seen our feckless leader recently?

And I can't let the morning go by without at least pointing out UConn's loss yesterday. Apparently, Coach Edsall was less than gracious in defeat.