Todd, It all began at the beginning. They were not committed to the rigor of reality checking by, say, accurately counting the votes of the American people. Their estrangement from reason was bolstered by a linear model of profit maximization. There is no contextual analysis in looking a man in the eye, either. Their cowboy retro cognitive style is stick-figurism, now seated in power, and profitable for those who blindly invest in it. When reality doesn't check out, they lie, cheat, bluff, and bribe.

The seminal issue, at this point, is not about the efficacy of the rational actor presupposition to characterize those in executive power. It is whether or not "We the People" can revive reason in our lifetime. In my own view, that would begin by impeaching the person and the proclivities of Richard B. Cheney. After all, his wife referred to him, at the start of his vice-presidency, as the new sheriff in town.

I enjoy your posts,

Tish

Over the weekend, like many of you, I've read the gripes and quibbles about how to frame the disastrous Congressional vote to fund the war.  I think the NYT has been doing the Bush Spin dance over the Iraqis better than whirling dervishes. Let's sit one out and recap: 

Bush played the fear card (what a shocker) and the Dems folded.  So what is next? We need to divest ourselves and our Congress of the euphemism, "We did it for the troops."  That politeness must be exposed for what it now is. Those big bad dollars for the war are not destined to benefit our soldiers.  Never were. The "war" in the name of the troops (read paradoxical injunction) has been funded to renew our subscription to the occupation and to inject capital into the pockets of the profiteers. "For the troops" is the hook. Soldiers are hardly the beneficiaries of war.  We don't need Congresspersons to be so "polite" to their constituents at a time when one message, not two, needs to be sent: STOP THE LIE that gave impetus to the justification for war and occupation in the first place. 

The people get it. Give them credit. The impeachment of Dick Cheney is the message that Congress needs to send to the President to stop this madness and to bring our soldiers home.