Now we know the Shiites will form a coalition with the Kurds. That will set the tone for the constitution formulation. If the Sunnis feel they are getting a bum deal they will make things tough. As Sens. Joe Biden and Linsey Graham have said, "the next six months will tell the story".They urge the Administration to exert heavy influence on the deliberators to come up with an equitable formula for sharing the wealth among all factions.

Back here at home the legislators are hurrying to adjourn for the holidays. In a deft manuever Sen. Stevens of AL attached an amendment, to drill in the ANWR, to the Defence Appropriations bill. Hopefully the Senate will reject it as it has in the past. Here is one of those controversial items that stirs up much debate. One "know it all" commentator, George Will chooses to demean the environmentalists for opposing this measure. Via his own contorted logic he equates environmentalism with "collectivism" which he then extrapolates to "communism". Such stupidity marks a lot of the, so called, discussion of current matters. I am much concerned about our environment. If there were no governmental oversight, as lax as it is, our water would be as bad as it is in Russia or China. The same for air pollution. These people who decry "regulation" would be the first to complain if their quality of life were affected. Not controlling pollution is simply "fouling our nest". Duh!
The President has again acted the cowboy, disregarding laws because he is the Commander in Chief and is above the law of mere mortals. His excuse is that he needs speed to react to the terrorists. The laws that exist allow him just that as long as he gets the necessary authorization within 72 hours. He doesn't want to do that. He's too busy defending the nation. Duh!!!!