While everyone watches the deployment status of specific units, no one seems to be anticipating a third way to increase the number of "bodies" in Iraq.

As part of the re-organization of the military, deployment methods are also subject to change.

Deploying individuals in modules separately from their units -- that's being contemplated, if not already implemented.

So while everyone thinks that a particular unit is getting their well-deserved year off that was being touted by Sec. Gates, that may not be the case for all the soldiers contained in that unit.

While I would never want to hamper our military in the performance of their missions, I am equally dedicated to preventing deluded politicians like Bush and Cheney and their pals from exploiting our ignorance of such matters.

I truly wish I were not so cynical and predisposed to disbelieving our illustrious leaders. That's what happens when politicians are allowed to get away with lying our country into an illegitimate war.

I'm afraid I will be enduring this condition well into 2009.

I've noticed a pattern. Every time things begin heating up for members of the Bush administration, some crackpot shows up to grab headlines with a shocking and horrific crime. What are the odds that these events are all coincidences?

So will Gonzalez refrain from lobbying the American public with his lies as he delays testifying before Congress because of the mass killings at the college?

I doubt it.

I've been reading through the remarks at TPM Cafe about Rove.  Just don't know how to join the discussions yet. 

The discussions about whether Bush will/can fire Karl Rove caught my eye. 

It seems to me that if the administration ejected Karl Rove -- well, that would be admitting that top officials were involved in the Plame leak.  Who would believe Karl Rove was acting alone?

Another thing that concerns me is how the five-minute news cycles work.  All they have to do is ride out the initial feeding frenzy and wait for calmer waters -- or an intervening event (perhaps created by Rove himself) -- and then say the issue was properly vetted, move on.  This seems to be their favorite trick.

In 2001, I was considering creating a Bush-Scandal-of-the-Day Calendar so we could all remember these affairs.  Remember the Submarine Joyriders?  It became evident that no one could actually keep all these scandals in play mentally without going completely insane. 

Which brings me to their MO.  They must continue to replace one traumatic/scandalous event with another -- continually transferring the angst created from the past transaction to the next  (much like a person kiting checks) -- keeping everything in motion and people off-balanced and unable to respond adequately. 

I keep hoping they get bogged down on a muddy transaction and don't get pulled out by the media. 

I have other thoughts as well.  Such as why two teams of special ops/Seals were sent on a suicide mission in Afghanistan.  I've often thought of Bush and Cheney as wildcatters drilling one dry hole after another, staying one step ahead of the bankers trying to repossess their rigs.  Did they roll the dice and lose in Afghanistan in an attempt to capture OBL before the Rove scandal hit the fan?

I remember working in 1999 for two oil/gas men.   Here they were out buying leases when fuel prices were at rock bottom.  I couldn't understand why they would be starting out like that -- they were two young brothers.  Anyway, as I've watched events unfold, I've come to suspect they were rolling the dice on George W. Bush to create better markets in days to come if elected. 

I believe Bush accomplished his mission -- drive up fuel prices.  Now who wouldn't be for driving up fuel prices.  He must be very popular in some circles.

Okay, time to preview.