Dean named chairman
Sorry for the week off, Jon and I have had a heavy workload.

But now that Howard Dean is the DNC chair, I feel it's necessary to post. I must say, the future looks bright for the Democratic Party. All we needed was to be led by someone who couldn't beat John Kerry.

And a side note: While the major liberal/Democratic blogs have tended to support this choice, that's because it's a politically sound idea for them to do so. We don't have to be so nice. Dean's nomination is the worst possible thing that could happen to the party right now. Dean's a one-trick pony. His war stance snatched up the college liberal vote. Also, he's a political joke with a fuse an inch long, and almost fits the "liberal elite" image as well as Kerry, if only because his supporters' ranks are filled with young New England liberals. Dean sure can raise money, though, so perhaps with that money, we can buy a new party.

Oh, Matt
Drudge's brilliant headline, "Bush budget director brags of shifting tax burden to rich" is followed up by this:

The White House budget director Josh Bolten on Monday bragged to reporters how the nation most-wealthy will see an increase in tax burden under Bush's new budget.

"If you look at the president's tax cuts as a totality, the income tax, those at the upper end of the spectrum are now paying a larger share of the income tax than they were before," Bolten explained.

"An example, the top 5 percent in income in this country -- that's people making above about $140,000 -- without the president's tax cuts that top 5 percent would be paying about less than 52 percent of our total income tax revenue.

"After the president's tax cut that group is paying more than 54 percent of our total tax revenue. So the notion that the president's tax cuts have somehow made the code less progressive is wrong. The president's tax cuts have made the tax code more progressive."

Well, it may not seem like he's bragging, but Drudge didn't mention Bolten's final comment, "Take that motherfuckers. Don't mess with this progressive shit."

Man what a pompous ass.

Iraqi Mud Wrestling
Nothing I haven't seen in college...

Military officials have demoted a female member of a National Guard military police unit for indecent exposure after a mud-wrestling party at the Camp Bucca detention center in Iraq.

The party occurred Oct. 30, as the 160th Military Police Battalion, an Army Reserve Unit from Tallahassee, Fla., prepared to turn over its duties to the Asheville-based 105th Military Police Battalion, Johnson said.

In the course of the transfer of duties, "some individuals in their exuberance decided to put together a mud-wrestling thing," Johnson said Sunday by telephone. "There were females involved, and some members of the 105th also became involved, one female soldier in particular."

Waldrop said she was proud of her daughter for joining the National Guard. "But I hate that this happened, and so does she," she said. The party "just got way out of hand, and before you know it, pictures were taken, and she didn't have time to react.

"My mom and I have both had talks with her that she's supposed to be an example for her country."

How is it that this girl only gets a demotion and no scorn from the Religious Right?
Simple. She is not a fictional cartoon character. And unlike Spongebob, women mud wrestling doesn't promote gay activity. In fact, it does quite the opposite.

Cheney Won't Run
Even though it was pretty much assumed, I think this pretty much cements it.

Vice President Dick Cheney on Sunday categorically ruled out a run for the White House in 2008, even if asked by the Republican president who recruited him back into government.

"I will say just as hard as I possibly know how to say ... 'If nominated, I will not run,' 'If elected, I will not serve,' or not only no, but 'Hell no,"' Cheney told "Fox News Sunday," making clear he intends to retire from politics at the end of his current term.

"... I've got my plans laid out. I'm going to serve this president for the next four years, and then I'm out of here."

Never fear, Dick. No one's going to nominate or elect your ass to power again. Even the Bush supporters I know cringe at the thought of you in any greater power than you have now.

Super Bowl betting
In the name of sportsmanship, charity, and, yes, potential added site hits, Jon and I are placing a $20 bet on The Patriots for tonight's game in Atrios's pool. If we are wrong, this money will be donated to Project Home.