i'm losing touch.

how, exactly, is someone saying "yeah, and above that, i threw the others, too" a news story worthy of breathless "did kerry lie" headlines (abc news) and full-scale news cycle attacks?

especially in a world where the rationale for the war in iraq changes as frequently as the temperature on the angel's stadium sign, bush can't explain the same way twice why he failed his physical or was suspended from flying, or even remain consistent in the withering denials and attacks regarding richard clarke's accusations?

at least kerry had medals to throw over the fence. he went, risked his life and had the courage to come back and say it was wrong.

i guess i just find it galling that people who refused to serve, but are only too happy to send others to die, will attack a man that stood up and did his duty.

it makes me wonder whether working in politics is even worth it. i already see that very few people that are true leaders are willing to stand up and serve in government - largely because anybody that has the balls and the charisma to lead has faults and makes mistakes.

and when mistakes (or rather vague statements) like kerry's get blown up like this by a bunch of cowardly, draft-dodging, hypocritical weasels, all it does is further discourage the real leaders and political risk takers from entering the fray - where they will have to deal with meaningless bullshit like this.

the important stuff: do we have more jobs, is our economy in better shape, are we making the u.s. and the world a better, safer place. these are the questions we need to ask and discuss.

but as long as the liars and the denigrators are in charge - and their media handmaidens continue to enable them - we will never substantially address the real issues. this is largely whining, because the real problem is deeper than that.

is this gotcha-style bullshit what the people of the u.s. really want?

because if it is, i don't think i can keep doing what i'm doing - trying to make my country a better place.

because i can only do that in partnership with my fellow citizens. not in spite of them.