Political Cortex: Brain Food for the Body Politic

And in posting a recent quote by Bush, and where he said, in the context of Valerie Plame nearly three years ago:

"If somebody did leak classified information, I'd like to know it, and we'll take the appropriate action."

How prophetic, and 'appropriate' indeed, for it appears those very words are now coming back to haunt him in yet another "leak." But this time the tables are turned, and in some weird twist of fate this "leak" appears to have come from the very people that are in his stead of appointments - Allies, friends, cohorts.

Could it be, given the recent defection of key Senate Republicans recently involving the torture issue, that all is not well on Palatine Hill? Could it be that there are those who are of the same political stripe and ideology plotting some form of revolt, in the most clever if not clandestine manner possible?

The facts involving the war in Iraq are bad, no matter what George W. Bush says to the contrary. And it appears that it is this sort of delusionary grandeur that some, if not many will no longer stomach. Much more, the incoherent policies (or lack thereof) to deal with the growing sectarian violence and ever growing danger to our troops, and Americans everywhere.

"Americans." How much the meaning of that term has changed in the course of the past six years abroad, and even within this great nation. And how much more ridicule, scorn and scandal can each and every countryman, and woman of this great Repubic bear with all of the questions regarding the Constitution, executive privilege, checks and balances, subversion, treason, malfeasance, competence, and above all - Trust?

A powerful word, 'trust.' I'm sure Bush trusts those whom he appointed to the 16 facets which the NIE is comprised of. But how, aside all the 'spin' that is now being tossed from the administration like handgrenades account for the obvious. Bush should not be wary of those who oppose him openly, for they can be seen . . . But of those who appear to support him, and of whom operate against him for the sake of a nation in crisis.

I'm sure Bush understands just what this "leak" could do to his "legacy," as a "Wartime President, making decisions in the Whitehouse," and in a war where his own (sic) intelligence challenges him?

And IF, he is such a voracious reader as Rove has portrayed him to be recently, perhaps he might've missed Edward Gibbon's stunning take and literary achievement on history. Perhaps, if he can stay awake throughout this page-turner of a book, as opposed to My Pet Goat, he might not be uttering those haunting words . . . "Et tu, Brute?" When karma comes calling.

To this point, I'm compelled to quote Shakespeare.

" . . . Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears; I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him. The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones; So let it be with Caesar. The noble Brutus Hath told you Caesar was ambitious: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, And grievously hath Caesar answer'd it . . ."