Let me start right out and say a big thanks to the American people (see previous item). The rest of the world is proud of you.

I know we all have two more years of the Shrub but I have to say I rather enjoyed his press conference today, watching him desperately trying to avoid saying that he’d thrown Rummy to the wolves. I thought he looked a little, shall we say, harassed. And in some ways, when he eventually goes, I shall miss him – like I miss a good comedian when his act ends. And in the same way I shall miss Rummy who, in between trying to tear the world apart , also gave good value in front of the press. Indeed, I am even the proud owner of a copy of Pieces of Intelligence – The Existential Poetry of Donald H. Rumsfeld – you could call me quite a fan!

Seriously though, on top of the election results, removing Rumsfeld was a must and it is good to see that the Shrub sometimes shows some common sense. My wife came across this quote today and passed it along to me. It seems somewhat apt in summing up the Shrub and Rummy double act:

“Of course the people don’t want war. But after all, it’s the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it’s always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it’s a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger.”

And who said that? Herman Goering at his trial at Nuremberg.