Well I'm hearing the calliope music of the big top as I watch the never ending greatest show on earth of comedic and infuriating adventures in government. 

 

What can you say about these guys? They provide an infinite source of amusement for our train wreck mentality watching entertainment. 
 
Ladieeeeeeeeeeeees and Gentlemen! In the center ring, the supposed "debate" over the war in Iraq! Evidently the GOP bought their own hype and thought the death of Zarqawi and Bush's visit was going to make everyone in Iraq start buying each other a coke and singing in perfect harmony. Well actually, maybe they are. Unfortunately the lyrics go something like, "Why don't we kill each other in bloody ways, let's all get together and start today." 
 
At any rate, the Republicans think that all the "good news" coming out of Iraq is going to enable them to use it as campaign issue in the fall. That's about as likely as seeing Osama Bin Laden doing a commercial for Vegas. Actually I can imagine it. Osama in a big Hawaiian shirt going to Hooters with Dick Cheney, and then turning to the camera with a grin and a wink, saying "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas" Come on, you know you'd pay good money to see that.  
 
The truth of course is that nothing has really changed in Iraq. Sectarian violence continues unabated. Even Ringmaster Dick is admitting the insurgency isn't the real problem anymore. Bullet ridden bodies are being found by the dozens, Britain can't fly helicopters during the day anymore for fear that they will be shot down, we had two soldiers kidnapped, tortured, and murdered, with others dying in more typical ways. It's getting so bad that Japan is leaving and they were only doing some road building in the south. They'll be joining the crowd of educated and professional Iraqis that are getting the hell out in droves.  
 
But while the idea of Republicans using Iraq as a campaign issue is idiotic, the Democrats aren't going to be able to make it an issue for their side either. They bicker and squabble like the clowns that ride in those little cars. Most of the American people think that Iraq was a mistake and yet these brain children can't seem to grasp the concept that they can be against the war now. Some of them anyway. Shockingly, John Kerry seems to finally have wised up. What good it will do him is problematic.  
 
In the meantime while all this sound and fury is going on, there's the other part of the circus tent where the manure keeps piling up. 
 
One example is the "Financial Data Protection Act." You know when you hear a word like "protection" coming from Congress you are about to get screwed, and like the guy that swears he's had a vasectomy, there ain't any protection involved. 
 
Essentially what this act does is let companies that have had data compromised decide whether or not you need to know. In other words, if someone gets your personal information from a credit card company, these people that care so much about you make the determination whether or not it's serious enough that you need to do something about it. Furthermore, in states where you are able to "freeze" your credit, that is not allow any credit to be taken out against your record, well those state laws would no longer be valid. They say it's because such laws bring the banking industry to a standstill. I get the feeling that what they mean is that credit card companies could no longer peruse your credit at their will and send out tons of pre-approved applications. Now you know who Congress is protecting. It's not you. 
 
You want more? Oh I got more. They are also rushing through a bill that would allow internet companies to charge people for better access. They say it promotes competition. Yeah, that's why all these companies love the idea. Nothing they like better than competitors.  
 
What it really means is that big business can squeeze out little companies. For instance, say good-bye to your internet phone unless you are getting it from your local cable provider. Say goodbye to fair access to small business, and say hello to big business controlling speech. Think I'm being alarmist? They've already done it. Savetheintenet.com's mails have already been blocked from big provider's customers. God knows what happens to internet activists and writers who can't pony up any fees and try to say anything bad about monolithicinternet.com. 
 
But folks, the show must go on. So watch them shoot Hillary Clinton out of a cannon holding a flag burning amendment. Gasp at the truth defying antics of Rick Santorum claiming that WMD have been found in Iraq, even though our government's own weapons inspectors say the stuff is from the Iran-Iraq war and that the Iraqis had probably forgotten it was there.  
 
When I was a kid, clowns always creeped me out. Something about all that makeup and the fake smiles, and weird hair... YIKES. That's why politicians scare me. The similarity is spooky.

 

Peggy McCann is a mother and blogger living in Greensboro, NC. She can be reached at: peggy@biondani.com.