LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Re: Pity Party by Peggy Noonan
Wall Street Journal | May 17, 2008

Peggy Noonann is right: the GOP is in serious trouble.  But Ms. Noonan seems to think that Republicans could have saved themselves (and their party) by breaking with the administration sometime between Bush’s second inaugural address in 2005 and the midterm elections in 2006. This timeline is ill-judged.

While some maintain that the magnitude of the administration’s failures did not come to light until after Mr. Bush was reelected, there is no disputing that these failures were the direct result of decisions made, budgets implemented, and wars started during the President’s first term. That those who anticipated the devastating outcome of these indiscretions turned out to be right is not a matter coincidence.

After seven and a half years of reckless leadership, America is craving prudence, accountability, and intuition. The wise Republican would have broken with the administration long before Mr. Bush renewed his four-year lease on Pennsylvania Avenue.

The pink slips are stamped, sealed, and ready to deliver. But they were filled out six years ago.

Click here to read Noonan's column.

THE BATTLE LOST AND WON

Christopher campaigning in Gary, Indiana.


For more photos, see the New York Times Polling Place Photo Project.

Orient Express

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DARJEELING LIMITED

Opens September 29. Excited?


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WEEK IN REVIEW

Highlights from Harper's Weekly Review

[Titles added.]

HOLY JURIS DOCTOR, BATMAN!
Patrick Leahy, the 67-year old Democratic senator from Vermont who as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee is pressing the Bush Administration to turn over documents relating to its warrantless wiretapping program, revealed that he has a small part in the upcoming Batman movie, and that he had to let his remaining hair grow out for the role.

GET YOUR FLAGS READY...
Melting ice in the Arctic revealed previously unknown islands that have yet to be claimed.

YOU MEAN PEOPLE MAGAZINE DOESN'T COUNT?
Studies in the U.S. showed that one in four adults read no books last year.

HAVE YOU TRIED E-BAY?
After waiting 55 years for a Purple Heart, Nyles Reed, a 75-year-old Korean War veteran and former Marine, received a form letter from Navy Personnel Command saying the medal was out of stock and suggesting that he buy his own.

ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT'S ME, TERESA
Previously unpublished letters by Mother Teresa revealed that beginning in 1948 and continuing until the end of her life in 1997 she was unable to sense the presence of God. "Repulsed--empty--no faith--no love--no zeal," she wrote. "Heaven means nothing."