Like the Computer and Internet World this week, the US political world is what can best be described as frenzied. The Harriet Mier's nomination has dominated the news, or rather the Republicans rushing in to rip down the carefully crafted facades they have spent years building has overtaken the news. I'm amazed at the delight some of them take in eating their own.
Four things about that:
1. Fascinating that those who have been so lock step for so long now feel free to tear down the house. Does it have anything to do with more impending news on the Rove/Plame game?
2. I've heard the word elite more this week than I have heard it since the election. Then it was a synonym for liberal. Not any more apparently. Has this battle royale divided the Republican ranks between the educated elite and the (ahem, cough, ahem) uneducated religious evangelicals?
3. Is it me, or does it look like the tried and true playbook has finally failed? Political trouble at home, pull out National Security. Dial up a speech. Raise the terror alert level. From my reading it's not working this time. Oh, and by the way, as someone who finds the whole "God told me to do it" rationale, not only offensive to any religion, but downright foolish, what does it say when all those who supposedly are arm and arm, marching with the Lord say: "we don't trust you?" And I'm just asking here, haven't we now turned the War Against Terrorism Global Struggle Against Islamic Extremism into a Holy War?
4. Everyone is playing their role in this little play very well, including the Democrats sitting on the sideline and following that age old maxim of politics: when your opponent is busy tearing him/herself down, stay out of the way. I'm sure they smell blood and can't wait to charge in like sharks. Only problem is with their leadership, they'll probably flop around like manatees and blow their chances.
Floating around all of this during the week have been two stories that seem to want break above the surface but just barely make it:
The first is on the Avian Flu. Lots of summits, lots of hand wringing. The fact that this won't go away and some dire announcements keep surfacing makes me think someone knows more than they are willing to say.
The second is about the Oklahoma bomber and the possibility that this is looking more and more like a terrorist incident.
It's a wacky world.
