yes, fixed, thanks

BTW, that picture of Nixon with Elvis always cracks me up.

Ah, the hardcore pro-polyp 2%!

Puts me in mind of this old discussion on the thesis that 19% of respondents in any poll will favor anything.

It is interesting to note how polarized society was around the time of the Nixon resignation. Following a massively unpopular war which affected almost every family in America, the country was strongly divided across both ideological and generational lines. Distrust and abject loathing of the presidency during the late '60s and early '70s was unprecedented in the modern era.

Compare this with the relative ease and complacency of our current society. The administration and former Republican majority went out of its way to convince people that everything was just fine. Most families were largely insulated from the direct effects of the war and subsequent occupation. Home ownership was up and the economy was expanding (by macroeconomic indicators anyway -- a closer look tells a different story). And yet, the country is again deeply divided and Bush draws deserved comparisons with the worst Presidents in our history.

I'm not sure what conclusions to draw from this. However, in an odd way, it almost renews my faith in the American people to (eventually) get it right. Maybe I'm just in a generous mood this afternoon, but after the concerted effort of the current administration to operate in secrecy and hide the truth from Americas, public opinion seems to catch up to the facts. And this during a period of media consolidation with corporate interests.

Though note, the Democratic President following Nixon had a tough go of it. I don't envy the next Executive.