On the one hand, Rove’s plan to leave the white house is as sure a signal we’ve had that the white house is hunkering down into full lame duck mode, particularly on any domestic agenda items. On the other hand, Tom Tomorrow points out what will be lost when Karl Rove leaves–material.

And now Karl, my ever-reliable Machiavellian straight-man, is leaving. Sure, maybe he’ll be back for some corruption inquiry or war crimes tribunal — but it just won’t be the same as having his blandly evil presence in the background of the Oval Office whenever I need it.

Occupational hazards for the satirist.

I’m looking forward to how the Daily Show is going to treat this for the rest of the month.

I’m assuming that the Rove tell-all book will be out in February 2009.

The time has come that we recognize that the various governments that rule the multiple peoples of the world are not all equal. Although it will certainly be a statement that will cause no little distress, it is nevertheless important for all Americans to cease referring to the other state-like entities of the world as nations. If one is to truly look around the globe, one will recognize that while many other sovereign statelike bodies may have positive qualities, it is nevertheless difficult to see how the title of “Nation” could possibly be attributed to them. Consequently, continued use of the term “Nation” to describe these entities will only lead to confusion.

For example, there are many non-national entities that have shared cultures, guarded borders and stable governments. Many may provide for the common good, even with luxuries like education and healthcare. But only the One True Nation can make the claim of being one nation under God, having the quality of undeniable indivisibility, and offering liberty and justice for all, etc.

This assertion, while obviously true, should not be interpreted as an argument against constructive dialogue through diplomacy. While these other statelike regions may not currently ackowledge our singular status, nor yet wish to follow the one true President, we are committed to peaceful coexistence with the many peoples of the world.

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See the recent post called “Fafblog’s Guide to the Swing States presents: PENNSYLVANIA!”

Best line: “I just don’t know enough about this president and his policies after only four years of his presidency and his policies,” she points out.

If not, read the manifesto and take the oath of loyalty.

Reading this, I was reminded of the performance of Insurrection Mass with Funeral March for a Rotten Idea,” which I saw in the Swarthmore College amphitheater almost a year ago. I gather that at each performance of the “Insurrection Mass,” the Bread and Puppet Theater would lay to rest a different rotten idea. The rotten idea we buried that September day was, I believe, “Victory over everything.”

I’m betting they were in the PRKA too.